Alfred Schnittke - Requiem (1975)
i've been meaning to post some more Schnittke for a while; judging by the downloads, the Concerto Grosso piqued some interest... or those tricky Russians got a-hold of the internet again.
it's Sunday, so here's his incredible Requiem "mass", written for mixed chorus and organ primarily, but also a smattering of chamber instruments, from kit percussion and celesta to electric bass/guitar and the odd solo brass. a from-the-top listen is best, but there are a lot of standout tester tracks, like the heavenly, melismatic Sanctus and the downright apocalyptic Tuba Mirum, the latter of which is one of my all-time favorite pieces of music. there's not much overt genre-mashing going on, just 32:04 of fucking rad (and listener friendly!) music from the ragged edge of Schnittke's unique brand of tonality.
fanboy status is assured
i only posted the requiem, since the bundled performance of the piano concerto is pretty f'ing wack, but it's available on request
Thanks for this. I'm not familiar with Schnittke...excited to check it out.
http://aboombong.bandcamp.com/album/amnemonic
I was one of the people that downloaded the other one, and I haven't listaened to it yet, but thanks! I look forward to it
uhhhh although.... it's not serial, is it? I mean, I enjoy a little Messiaen every once and a while, but it can be tiresome to put up with all the 'extra' notes
ah well I'm sure I'll enjoy it, so thanks
I f*cking love this blog. New follower.
no, not serial. Schnittke was bored/fed-up with the "puberty rites of serial self-denial". pretty much sums it up
This is amazing music, thanks and keep the quality coming! :)
Schnittke's Requiem is terrific and all, but if you're looking for a truly magnificent choral work, listen to his Concerto For Mixed Chorus. The fourth movement, especially, is arguably one of the greatest choral works of all time.
I couldn't find a very good recording on Youtube, but this will have to do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciGlifIlqyQ
yes, the Choir Concerto is magnificent, if dense. 2nd mvmt is where Kronos cribbed "Collected Songs Where Every Verse Is Full of Grief."
Polyansky conducting the Choir Concerto [320k]:
http://www.mediafire.com/?d1mqx19to8514c0
holy shit, this is goddamn amazing!!