Alfred SchnittkeThis biography of the Russian composer Alfred Schnittke (b.1934) presents a fascinating portrait of a man whose musical output is inextricably linked to the strictures of life in the former Soviet Union. For most of his adult life in Russia Schnittke's music was powerfully shaped by the frustrations of the Soviet period and he reacted strongly against the ideology of the era. His symphonies lie arguably at the end of the Germanic symphonic tradition, yet each represents a new concept of the genre for the twentieth century. His works reveal the influence of Shostakovich among others, but remain strongly original. Each of his compositions can be understood primarily to offer a unique synthesis of many different influences and styles. The author gives a detailed discussion of Schnittke's music and theories, arguing that the various stylistic elements in his works - his polystylism - may be perceived as part of a new, more universal language. |
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Accordion Alexander Alfred and Irina Alfred Schnittke Alfred's Andrey apartment ballet became Bolshoi cadenza cartoon Chamber Orchestra Choir commissioned Communist Party compositions Concerto Grosso conducted by Gennady conductor director Dmitry Shostakovich early elements Engels famous father Faust Cantata festival film music finally fp Moscow Gennady Rozhdestvensky Gesualdo Gidon Kremer Hamburg harpsichord Harry Schnittke ideas instruments Karamanov Khrennikov Krysa language late later Leningrad listen lived Lyubimov Mahler Maria Mark Lubotsky Ministry of Culture mixed chorus Moscow Conservatory Mosfilm Moz-Art Mstislav Rostropovich musicians official opera Peer Gynt performance Piano Quintet piece played polystylistic première Prokofiev Requiem Russian composer Russian music Schnittke wrote Schnittke's music score serial soloists sometimes sound Soviet Composers Soviet Union Stalin Stravinsky String Quartet style stylistic symbolic Symphony Orchestra conducted Tchaikovsky Theatre Torleif Thedéen tradition USSR Vienna Viktor Viktoria Postnikova viola violin and piano Violin Concerto Volga Germans Webern write written young Yury Bashmet