Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)

[Mirror Image]

>:DJust to let you know I've been obsessing about Schnittke since this Thread went nucluler!

...but no money...

Especially that Erato disc with the Piano Concerto- in the original cover...


btw- there was one newish Piano Concerto that clocked in at almost 28mins.!

Cool snyprrr! When you say Piano Concerto are you referring to his Concerto for Piano and Strings or his student work simply titled Piano Concerto?

[snyprrr]

Cool snyprrr! When you say Piano Concerto are you referring to his Concerto for Piano and Strings or his student work simply titled Piano Concerto?

The one with the heart attacks or strokes, gaaah.

What do you think of the Concerti Grosso 5-6, and have you heart Daniel Hope (Nimbus) in 6? What's your exhaustive take on the CGs 1-6?

[Mirror Image]

The one with the heart attacks or strokes, gaaah.

What do you think of the Concerti Grosso 5-6, and have you heard Daniel Hope (Nimbus) in 6? What's your exhaustive take on the CGs 1-6?

It must be the Concerto for Piano Four Hands and Chamber Orchestra you're talking about then, which was written in 1988. Anyway, I haven't heard Hope's performance on Nimbus of Concerto Grosso No. 6, but I'll pass as I never liked his playing nor do I like Nimbus' audio. As for giving a list of the Concerti Grossi, this will have to wait awhile unfortunately.

[Mirror Image]

Time to revive this thread, I wonder how our young adventurer, Daniel (Madaboutmahler), is going coming along with Schnittke? Have you decided on any recordings to get for Christmas?

[ibanezmonster]

I've discovered (or rediscovered) quite a bit of Schnittke lately. A few I've been enjoying recently include Labyrinths, Piano Sonata 1, and the Requiem.

I'm thinking that a better term for his style would be Surrealism instead of Polystylism.

[Mirror Image]

I've discovered (or rediscovered) quite a bit of Schnittke lately. A few I've been enjoying recently include Labyrinths, Piano Sonata 1, and the Requiem.

I'm thinking that a better term for his style would be Surrealism instead of Polystylism.

Love the Requiem. Enjoy Labyrinths. Still need to hear Piano Sonata No. 1. Why would Surrealism, in your opinion, Greg, apply to Schnittle more than Polystylism?

[Mr Bloom]

If that can make Mirror Image happy, I'm on a Schnittke run since a few days. I'm listening to all the concert works chronologically, starting in 1969 with Symphony n°1. I'm in 1984 right now.

[Karl Henning]

Just a Point of Information: this thread is about more than making any one of us happy 

[Mr Bloom]

I don't think there is anything more important than making someone happy.

[Karl Henning]

That's just what Schnittke said!

[AdamFromWashington]

Under the influence of this thread I've listened to all the Schnittke I can hear. And I love it! Symphonies, Concerti Grossi, Concertos, Sonatas, Cantatas, Film Music, Chamber Music, etc. I don't think I've heard anything I don't like. From the wacky Gogol Suite to the bleak 8th Symphony... I'm not really sure where I'm going with this. I guess I just came here to say that Schnittke's amazing. 

Really, his music just sounds completely open, and honest to me. Even in the most completely polystylistic pieces I still clearly hear Schnittke. And it's not just that. Instead of losing his voice with the technique, or just barely keeping it there, the technique actually reinforced it. That's not something I can imagine being easy, and he pulled it off spectacularly. And what a voice it is! At times humorous, melancholy, loving, spiritual, spiteful, and all these other words that go through my head as I listen. Did I say I love Schnittke's music? 

Has anyone here seen The Glass Harmonica? It's on youtube, and I thought it was fantastic. The animation is insane, and makes the perfect visual accompaniment to Schnittke's score.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAOEzdWDYFA

[Mirror Image]

If that can make Mirror Image happy, I'm on a Schnittke run since a few days. I'm listening to all the concert works chronologically, starting in 1969 with Symphony n°1. I'm in 1984 right now.

No need to make me happy, Mr. Bloom. If you're enjoying the music then that's awesome! Schnittke is one of my favorites and I love his music so much. The 1985 is a great year creatively for Schnittke (obviously not health-wise as he suffered a stroke later on in the year I believe) but the Choir Concerto saw completion as did the Viola Concerto, Concerto Grosso No. 3, and (K)ein Sommernachtstraum. So lots to enjoy there!

[ibanezmonster]

Love the Requiem. Enjoy Labyrinths. Still need to hear Piano Sonata No. 1. Why would Surrealism, in your opinion, Greg, apply to Schnittle more than Polystylism?

Because it's not just about demonstrating different styles; maybe the 1st symphony is appropriately Polystylistic, but much of his other work may only have one or two elements of styles that aren't modernism. The effect is odd and strange, whereas in something polystylistic I wouldn't think that modernist qualities would dominate a work so much, but instead have a more balanced amount of styles. This probably makes no sense, but I have a headache and can't think right now.   

[Mirror Image]

Because it's not just about demonstrating different styles; maybe the 1st symphony is appropriately Polystylistic, but much of his other work may only have one or two elements of styles that aren't modernism. The effect is odd and strange, whereas in something polystylistic I wouldn't think that modernist qualities would dominate a work so much, but instead have a more balanced amount of styles. This probably makes no sense, but I have a headache and can't think right now.   

I understand what you're saying, Greg. I think his music does transcend that "Polystylism" label, too. I mean how do you even classify something like his Symphony No. 8? How do we even began to deconstruct Peer Gynt? I mean these are things that go well beyond such a label. Schnittke is just one of those composers that refused to be pigeonholed.

[snyprrr]

is just one of those composers that refused to be pigeonholed.

Jackie Mason-meets-Bruckner

[kyjo]

Looks like I've got another Schnittkian favorite: the Concerto Grosso no. 2. Just finished listening to the Chandos recording of it and I'm very impressed! The second movement, in particular, is really something else in its intensity. I love that part near the end of this movement with the low brass and percussion-quite scary! I love how the last movement suddenly collapses into despair, ending the work on a highly unsettling, creepy note. Anyone else a fan of this work?

[Mirror Image]

Looks like I've got another Schnittkian favorite: the Concerto Grosso no. 2. Just finished listening to the Chandos recording of it and I'm very impressed! The second movement, in particular, is really something else in its intensity. I love that part near the end of this movement with the low brass and percussion-quite scary! I love how the last movement suddenly collapses into despair, ending the work on a highly unsettling, creepy note. Anyone else a fan of this work?

I, too, enjoy this work, but prefer the Rozhdestvensky recording over the Polyansky.

[Mr Bloom]

Looks like I've got another Schnittkian favorite: the Concerto Grosso no. 2. Just finished listening to the Chandos recording of it and I'm very impressed! The second movement, in particular, is really something else in its intensity. I love that part near the end of this movement with the low brass and percussion-quite scary! I love how the last movement suddenly collapses into despair, ending the work on a highly unsettling, creepy note. Anyone else a fan of this work?

It is one of the discoveries of my "Schnittke run". It's one my favorite Schnittke piece.

[kyjo]

It is one of the discoveries of my "Schnittke run". It's one my favorite Schnittke piece.

Yep, it's sure turning out to be one of my favorite Schnittke works as well!

[madaboutmahler]

Time to revive this thread, I wonder how our young adventurer, Daniel (Madaboutmahler), is going coming along with Schnittke? Have you decided on any recordings to get for Christmas?

Still one of my favourite composers, John! I'm sure I'll be listening to much more of his music fairly soon. The BIS Faust Cantata CD is right at the top of my Christmas list, as well as the Viola/Cello Concerts from Bashmet/Gutman, and a recording of Choir Concerto/Requiem.