Alfred Schnittke: Concerto for Piano and Strings, part 1

[MusicaFerrum]

Mr. Anastassiou paid homage to Schnittke in his interemezzo for solo piano... (on 5:20 to the linked video).

[islespatrick]

If I met Schnittke.....I would literally die 3 times and then be brought back to life. Then make music reflecting that XD

[musicalidea]

This is 1 of the greatest works written in the last quarter of the 20th Century, in my opinion. Can anyone really explain Schnittke's genius for those unspeakably odd bass tones below the augmented wandering of the piano during the prolonged cadenza? Amazing = * when the orchestra finally enters with those plodding triads at 4:35 juxtaposed against the crashing tone clusters. * The rapid alteration of "clean" tonal triumphs in the strings @ 5:12 w those wrenching, angular semitones. * much more

[wrexony]

a great performance of my favourite Schnittke piece. A pity the camera wondered off the pianists hands at the crucial chords.

[pianistvesta]

Thank you!

[oscarpaiz79]

hermosa composicion.....

[1NVK1]

It is unbelievable, transcendent and so beautiful...

Svetlana, your playing is really amazing! I am your fan from now on...

[pianistvesta]

Thank you!

[pianistvesta]

This was a special moment and you'd imagine that in Canada where I live, they'd like me to perform this piece in concert? Well, think again... The "gatekeepers" are at work: CBC Radio 2 does not play my Schnittke/Bach CD... and of course, no one replies when we sent the local orchestra a proposal to play this for Schnittke's death 10th anniversary...

[pianistvesta]

In fact few years ago, we contacted our friend maestro Eri Klas who agreed to conduct it with Svetlana and the CBC Radio Orchestra. We invited the CBC producer to a little gathering at home with our representative... just to learn a week later, that the producer was going after the maestro behind our back and was looking at bringing a better known Canadian pianist instead of Svetlana...

Result: once informed, Eri withdrew, no concert. So much politics for 30 minutes of music

[1NVK1]

I think that producer was very short-sighted, once he refused to record this piece with you. Your performance here is highly impressive. I suppose it is not easy to play Schnittke's music, but you managed to express and convey it at a very high level...

[1NVK1]

I consider Schnittke's music to be rather unusual. It seems attractive and frightening at the same time. A kind of unearthly. What do you think? Yet it is very strong, capable of arousing such emotions as no other music.

But music of Schnittke is not accessible, understandable to all. It must be difficult enough to promote this music to earn money. So may be some people find it easier to bring more showiness to it by taking better known performers, though to the detriment of the Art?

[TheGreatDissolve]

You just have to look at his astrology chart to understand.

[1NVK1]

Well, I've tried but I don't know his time of birth :)

However, as I see it, astrology can hardly help here. We can reveal native talents of a man using astrology, we may even try to "prove" some features of music of a composer. But the mystery of music will remain untold. The effect it takes is absent in horoscope...

[TheGreatDissolve]

I do not wish to turn this into an astrology discussion, as dignified as it is, because I see that we've received to thumbs down by a person who is either against astrology or simply doesn't want to detract from the topic of music, and the lovely pianist. Nevertheless, the great Schnittke appears to have Capricorn Rising, with the Moon and Venus (planets having to do with rites of purification and the gathering of crowds) as masters of his nativity. Hellenistic.....

[1NVK1]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[1NVK1]

I'd like to express my admiration to you once again. It was one of the most significant impressions in my life, thank you! But I'm not a producer unfortunately :)

[pianistvesta]

Thank you, I am happy that through my playing you discovered the music of Alfred Schnittke, a true giant.

[quagapp]

Beyond, beyond...nothing compares to this...it is excruciatingly marvelous. Endless!

[vincecharus]

powerful performance of a powerful piece!

[pianistvesta]

Thank you!

[Madrigual]

That concerto is amazing. Do you have the whole recording?

[cartearse]

There is an incredible and beautiful intensity to this piece evident here, but in an unspeakable way when heard live.

[ibanezmonsterg]

I love this concerto!

Too bad the sound isn't the best, though, because i'd love to hear it more clearly......

but thanks for posting this! :)

[pietervoogt]

Some hours ago in the concertgebouw, Amsterdam I heard this piece and it made a big impression on me -great to find it here and to hear that it is really as good as I remember. It's not just romanticism against modernism, it seems to reflect all sorts of (personal) clashes, without that boring postmodern irony.

[luxail]

Génial!!!

[fijneR]

Thank you for posting this document!