Episode 5
Donald Macleod explores Schnittke's last years. Including a performance of the Ninth Symphony, deciphered after the composer's death by Alexander Raskatov.
Donald Macleod presents a celebration of the music of the USSR's last great composer, Alfred Schnittke.
Almost incapacited by a series of crippling strokes, Schnittke continued heroically to compose right until his death in 1998. Donald is joined for a final time by Schnittke's friend and biographer Alexander Ivashkin to discuss the composer's last work: his enigmatic Ninth Symphony, deciphered after his death from near-illegible scrawl by composer Alexander Raskatov.
Featuring excerpts from Schnittke's last film music - for an adaptation of Bulgakov's diabolical story The Master and Margarita - and his controversial opera, Life With An Idiot, a work that brutally sends up life in Communist USSR.
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Music Played
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Alfred Schnittke
The Master And Margarita (excerpts)
- CPO 999 796-2.
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Alfred Schnittke
"Life With An Idiot" (1990-1): Act II (excerpt)
Performer: Dale Duesing (I, Baritone) Performer: Teresa Ringholz (Wife, Soprano) Performer: Howard Haskin (Vova, Tenor) Performer: Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra & Vocal Ensemble Performer: Mstislav Rostropovich (conductor, cello)
- SONY CLASSICAL S2K52495.
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Alfred Schnittke
Symphony no.9 (1997), reconstructed Alexander Raskatov
Performer: Cape Philharmonic Orchestra Performer: Owain Arwel Hughes
- BIS CD 1647.
Broadcasts
- Fri 15 Jan 201012:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 15 Jan 201022:00BBC Radio 3
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