Alfred Schnittke: Symphonien Nr.0-9 auf 6 CDs

BIS is proud to present the only available collection of the complete symphonies by Alfred Schnittke. The recordings, part of the Schnittke Edition begun in 1987, have been brought together in a 6-CD boxed set which also includes an initiated essay by Schnittke's close associate Alexander Ivashkin: a fascinating chapter in the history of the late 20th-century symphony.

The music of Alfred Schnittke reflects a highly complex and fragile late twentieth-century mentality: a mixture of old and new styles, of modern, post-modern, classical and baroque idioms. Within his oeuvre - which includes three operas, three ballets, six concerti grossi, concertos for various instruments and a great number of chamber works - the symphonic genre holds a special place. The present collection offers a unique opportunity to follow Schnittke's trajectory as symphonist, from the youthful Symphony No. 0 - performed only once (in 1957) before the 2006 recording included here - to the Ninth, which Schnittke composed when he was already severely affected by the series of strokes which would end his life in 1998. As a group the symphonies demonstrate a rare diversity in terms of both style and technique as well as underlying ideas.

Symphony No. 0 reveals important influences in Schnittke's music, while Symphony No. 1 combines a revolutionary vision and technique with montages of various types of music, forms and genres. In the Second and Fourth Symphonies elements from Roman Catholic liturgy are incorporated, while the Third and the Seventh focus on Germany and contain German 'symbols'. The Fifth incorporates a concerto grosso, a favourite genre of the composer, as well as a symphony. The Sixth Symphony illustrates Schnittke's move towards a new, bare and almost 'minimalist' musical language, rejecting the large gestures of earlier compositions. The Eighth seems to be addressed to death, while Symphony No. 9 shows the new direction in which Alfred Schnittke was heading in his last years, purifying his music and opening it up to new dimensions. The Schnittke Edition on BIS consists of 25 titles, featuring works from a number of genres, the jewel being the present recordings of the complete symphonies.

Rezensionen

Stereoplay 03/10: »Mit namhaften Orchestern aus Schweden und England, mit Dirigenten wie Leif Segerstam und Okko Kamu entfalten sich die Werke teils in fesselnder Dramaturgie.​ Das Klangspektrum ist stes weiträumig und brillant.​«

FonoForum 11/2007: »Neben diesen faszinierenden Einblicken in Schnittkes bislang recht unbekannte kompositorischen Anfänge vermitteln diese Einspielungen freilich auch die Bekanntschaft mit einer südafrikanischen Musikkultur, die auf diesem Niveau nicht zu erwarten gewesen war.​ Das Cape Philharmonic Orchestra überzeugt durch perfektes Ensemblespiel, Stilsicherheit und Engagement.​«

FonoForum 8/2005: »Großen Anteil an dem Zauber dieser Einspielung haben das überraschend starke Orchester aus der schwedischen Provinz und sein asiatischer Chefdirigent.​ Bravourös meistern die Blechbläser ihre teils abenteuerlichen Soli, geheimnisvoll bleiben die offenen Schlüsse in der Schwebe.​«