Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)

[Wieland]

This is really great to hear, Wieland. I can't seem to recall liking Gutman's performance of the Cello Concerto No. 1 as Ivashkin on Chandos is more my cup of tea, but, regardless, it's always a good thing to hear someone else who connects to Schnittke's sound-world. Trust me, my own journey wasn't an easy one either and it ended up being a costly one as well (I sent most of the CDs I had acquired to another member here). But then one day, I forget which work I was listening to, but something just finally clicked with me. It might have been sitting down and absorbing Peer Gynt that helped me finally understand the genius of the composer. I'm not sure if you would prefer the Rozhdestvensky in Symphony No. 8 or not as there were several reviewers on Amazon that preferred Polyansky (also on Chandos), but that's no matter, as long as you like the music --- the performance of your choice will be a matter of personal preference. I've just always liked Rozhdestvensky for the intensity he brought to the music. That Lento movement you spoke about is really something else in the Rozhdestvensky. He turns it into a lament or requiem of sorts. Really haunting.

I look forward to conversing more with you about Schnittke and I don't believe I've seen you around, so it's nice to make your acquaintance.

Well as you found out already by yourself I am the new kid in town. However, I was on another forum for quite some time. The problem was that most of my threads focussing on 20th century music there were one-man-shows with me being the main contributor. At one point I got bored and then discovered this forum here. Seems that there are more people here who share my interests. So, I will stay.

[Mirror Image]

Well as you found out already by yourself I am the new kid in town. However, I was on another forum for quite some time. The problem was that most of my threads focussing on 20th century music there were one-man-shows with me being the main contributor. At one point I got bored and then discovered this forum here. Seems that there are more people here who share my interests. So, I will stay.

I have been a member of several other forums one of them I was banned from and another one just didn't have enough conversations and things going for it. GMG is the happy medium in-between. There are many great members and many of whom I've become friends with. Yes, there are many people here who love 20th Century music. So you're definitely in good company.

[Scion7]

You got banned, MI?
Did you post your photos of Dmitri in swim trunks or something?

[Mirror Image]

You got banned, MI?
Did you post your photos of Dmitri in swim trunks or something?

Let's just say that back in those early forum days I was a bit of an agitator and I pushed many people's wrong buttons, because I suppose I thought it was funny at the time. Sometimes it is amusing to see how people take one person's opinion and paint it as gospel.

[Wieland]

Since you've enjoy the 8th so much I urge you to check out the Rozhdestvensky performance on Chandos. I know, I know, some people here are probably tired of me beating this dead horse, but it certainly is preferable to any other performance I've heard including the Lu and Polyansky.

Yesterday I listened to the Rozh performance which I down-loaded from itunes - something I usually don't do - but since I am on vacation right now (hiking in the Alps) there was no other way. Actually, I was surprised how good it sounded. So, this performance I like very much. The Largo is definitely more heart-felt than in the Lu performance which seems more restrained. However, in the final pages I prefer Lu since his clusters are more transparent. Anyway, this symphony is a big discovery for me and I will dig more deeply into the Schnittke universe.

[Mirror Image]

Yesterday I listened to the Rozh performance which I down-loaded from itunes - something I usually don't do - but since I am on vacation right now (hiking in the Alps) there was no other way. Actually, I was surprised how good it sounded. So, this performance I like very much. The Largo is definitely more heart-felt than in the Lu performance which seems more restrained. However, in the final pages I prefer Lu since his clusters are more transparent. Anyway, this symphony is a big discovery for me and I will dig more deeply into the Schnittke universe.

Certainly great to hear. Well we must remember that Lento movement is the heart of the symphony. Everything else just falls naturally into place. I hope you end up buying the CD as there's a great performance of Concerto Grosso No. 6 on that recording as well. Be safe in the Alps!

[TheGSMoeller]

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I realized after seeing a few posts about the 3rd that this symphony, along with Schnittke's 1st, were ones I have had yet to listen to. I chose the above Jurowski recording on Spotify, and what a fantastic listen it was. I specifically loved the second movement Allegro, which seems to feature every instrument and touches upon every genre so brilliantly. And the finale, which creates such a mysterious yet beautiful atmosphere, which is exactly the kind of musical character that I've grown to love from Schnittke's music.  I will give the other performances of the 3rd a try, most likely starting with the Klas.

[Mirror Image]

I must revisit Jurowski's performance of the 3rd, Greg. I didn't really feel anything from the performance on the first-hearing, but this may very well be that Klas' performance is imprinted into my mind. Glad to see you enjoyed the music, though.

[Wieland]

For me Schnittke's music is still a challenge. After I discovered Symphony 8 as a major piece for me I began to explore the other symphonies. 9 is really a tough nut, I doubt that I will return to that devastating score more often. 3 also was not to my taste. Although I can appreciate the mastery of orchestration, it is this kind of polystilistic approach that I never cared much for. Symphonies 6 and 7 seem to fit me better, those I have to listen more often too.

I will also reassess the string quartets since I found the SQ 3 done by the Tate Q quite stimulating.

[Mirror Image]

For me Schnittke's music is still a challenge. After I discovered Symphony 8 as a major piece for me I began to explore the other symphonies. 9 is really a tough nut, I doubt that I will return to that devastating score more often. 3 also was not to my taste. Although I can appreciate the mastery of orchestration, it is this kind of polystilistic approach that I never cared much for. Symphonies 6 and 7 seem to fit me better, those I have to listen more often too.

I will also reassess the string quartets since I found the SQ 3 done by the Tate Q quite stimulating.

What about the concerti, Piano Quintet, Requiem, Choir Concerto, Faust Cantata, Peer Gynt, etc.? Surely, these are all masterworks and deserve attention and consideration.

[Wieland]

Well obviously I need more to time to explore these as well. I thought four symphonies and string quartet in one week is not that bad.

[Mirror Image]

Well obviously I need more to time to explore these as well. I thought four symphonies and string quartet in one week is not that bad.

Certainly and take your time. No rush.

[Wieland]

Currently I am listening (for the second time today) to Schnittke's 4th violin concerto. This piece he wrote for and dedicated to his probably most prominent "advertiser" Gidon Kremer. I have to say that I immediately liked this piece, anyway I am fond of most violin concertos but this one is especially nice. Much lighter in tone than most of the other music of his that I know so far without being trivial. I could do without the breathing episodes but they don't really disturb me much. And the writing for the violin is marvellous as is Kremer's performance well supported by Eschenbach and the Philharmonia.

[asin]B00004Z44N[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Currently I am listening (for the second time today) to Schnittke's 4th violin concerto. This piece he wrote for and dedicated to his probably most prominent "advertiser" Gidon Kremer. I have to say that I immediately liked this piece, anyway I am fond of most violin concertos but this one is especially nice. Much lighter in tone than most of the other music of his that I know so far without being trivial. I could do without the breathing episodes but they don't really disturb me much. And the writing for the violin is marvellous as is Kremer's performance well supported by Eschenbach and the Philharmonia.

[asin]B00004Z44N[/asin]

I wish I could share your enthusiasm for Schnittke's Violin Concerto No. 4 (or any of his VCs for that matter), but from the looks of things I won't circle back around to Schnittke for quite some time as I've entered into a Sibelius phase, which is quite easy to do when you love his music as much as I do. Certainly among my favorite composers.

[Wieland]

I wish I could share your enthusiasm for Schnittke's Violin Concerto No. 4 (or any of his VCs for that matter), but from the looks of things I won't circle back around to Schnittke for quite some time as I've entered into a Sibelius phase, which is quite easy to do when you love his music as much as I do. Certainly among my favorite composers.

Well, so enjoy your Sibelius phase and your new recordings of Kamu and Rattle. Kamu did some nice Sibelius a long time ago as a supplement to DGGs Karajan. For that composer i don't need a phase anymore since he is one of my all-time favourites anyway. And I probably also have enough recordings. Although I am curious about that new Rattle cycle from Berlin.

[Mirror Image]

Well, so enjoy your Sibelius phase and your new recordings of Kamu and Rattle. Kamu did some nice Sibelius a long time ago as a supplement to DGGs Karajan. For that composer i don't need a phase anymore since he is one of my all-time favourites anyway. And I probably also have enough recordings. Although I am curious about that new Rattle cycle from Berlin.

Ah, yes, but when I say 'phases' I mean listening cycles, which I go through a lot. One month it might be this or that composer I focus heavily on and then the next month I'll get into another one. My Sibelius collection is quite large, although, admittedly I still haven't gotten around to getting any of his chamber music, but this isn't really that important to his oeuvre.

[snyprrr]

Currently I am listening (for the second time today) to Schnittke's 4th violin concerto. This piece he wrote for and dedicated to his probably most prominent "advertiser" Gidon Kremer. I have to say that I immediately liked this piece, anyway I am fond of most violin concertos but this one is especially nice. Much lighter in tone than most of the other music of his that I know so far without being trivial. I could do without the breathing episodes but they don't really disturb me much. And the writing for the violin is marvellous as is Kremer's performance well supported by Eschenbach and the Philharmonia.

[asin]B00004Z44N[/asin]

I like the Violin Concerto No.5 better.... actually the Concerto grosso No.5, but, frankly, it is a VC, and it's his most experimental, imo. No.4 is his most 'Cinematic' piece, I think, all artifice (not a bad thing)...

I wish I could share your enthusiasm for Schnittke's Violin Concerto No. 4 (or any of his VCs for that matter), but from the looks of things I won't circle back around to Schnittke for quite some time as I've entered into a Sibelius phase, which is quite easy to do when you love his music as much as I do. Certainly among my favorite composers.

I finally got Bashmet/RCA for the Viola Cto,... mmm,... its his most intimate portrait, for sure. I hear Denisov in the 'toccata'. And there's a lot of syrupy tones coming from the viola. It seemed low-key overall, somewhat elusive,.... nice recording too. candle lit angst

[Mirror Image]

How wrong could I be? I'm still in a Schnittke phase. Anyway...

I finally got Bashmet/RCA for the Viola Cto,... mmm,... its his most intimate portrait, for sure. I hear Denisov in the 'toccata'. And there's a lot of syrupy tones coming from the viola. It seemed low-key overall, somewhat elusive,.... nice recording too. candle lit angst.

Glad you enjoyed it. I like the Bashmet orchestration on that recording of Trio Sonata as well.

[Mirror Image]

Currently I am listening (for the second time today) to Schnittke's 4th violin concerto. This piece he wrote for and dedicated to his probably most prominent "advertiser" Gidon Kremer. I have to say that I immediately liked this piece, anyway I am fond of most violin concertos but this one is especially nice. Much lighter in tone than most of the other music of his that I know so far without being trivial. I could do without the breathing episodes but they don't really disturb me much. And the writing for the violin is marvellous as is Kremer's performance well supported by Eschenbach and the Philharmonia.

[asin]B00004Z44N[/asin]

Just a quick side bar: the breathing episodes are actually supposed to be silent in live performance as this is, from what I've read, supposed to be the part where there's an imaginary cadenza and the soloist mimes the part.

[CRCulver]

It's a shame that the popularity Schnittke enjoyed in the 1990s faded away after his death, and I really hope there is a renewed interest in his work in the West, because the fate of his oeuvre as a whole is very bleak in Russia.  So much dissident art in the former USSR is now being swept under the rug since it makes people uncomfortable. For example, as long as Putin is alive, it's hard to imagine a performance of Life with an Idiot by any state ensemble, because the reference to Vova (Vladimir Lenin) could just as easily be taken as a reference to another man named Vova (Vladimir Putin).