Episode 2
Donald Macleod presents Schnittke's 'polystylistic' music of the 1960s and 70s, including his astonishing First Symphony.
Donald Macleod presents a celebration of the music of the USSR's last great composer, Alfred Schnittke.
In the 1960s and 70s, Schnittke developed a unique style he termed 'polystylism' - the weaving of layer upon layer of subtle allusions, creating a world where everything has a hidden, suppressed meaning.
This technique perfectly captured life under the cosh of Soviet Communism, where messages were frequently disguised in layers of codes and doublespeak. Donald is joined by Alexander Ivashkin to present a selection of Schnittke's first polystylistic works, culminating in an extended excerpt from his astonishing First Symphony - a piece that takes the symphonic form to its very limit.
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Music Played
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Alfred Schnittke
Suite In The Olden Style, for violin and piano (1972)
Performer: Vadim Gluzman (violin) Performer: Angela Yoffe (piano)
- BIS CD1392.
- 1.
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Alfred Schnittke
Music For Piano and Chamber Orchestra
Performer: Russian State Symphony Orchestra Performer: Gennady Rozhdestvensky
- CHANDOS CHAN9466.
- 4.
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Alfred Schnittke
Excerpts from: The Adventures Of A Dentist (1965)
- CAPRICCIO 5002.
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Alfred Schnittke
Symphony no.1 (1969-72) [excerpt]
Performer: Russian State Symphony Orchestra Performer: Gennady Rozhdestvensky
- CHANDOS CHAN9417.
- 1.
Broadcasts
- Tue 12 Jan 201012:00BBC Radio 3
- Tue 12 Jan 201022:00BBC Radio 3
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