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

9 Responses so far.

  1. Anonymous says:

    i only posted the requiem, since the bundled performance of the piano concerto is pretty f'ing wack, but it's available on request

  2. icastico says:

    Thanks for this. I'm not familiar with Schnittke...excited to check it out.




    http://aboombong.bandcamp.com/album/amnemonic

  3. . says:

    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

  4. Anonymous says:

    I f*cking love this blog. New follower.

  5. Anonymous says:

    no, not serial. Schnittke was bored/fed-up with the "puberty rites of serial self-denial". pretty much sums it up

  6. TB says:

    This is amazing music, thanks and keep the quality coming! :)

  7. Anonymous says:

    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

  8. Anonymous says:

    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

  9. holy shit, this is goddamn amazing!!

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