Schnittke (or Shnitke), Alfred Garriyevich (1934–1998)

Russian composer. He experimented with integral serialism and unusual instrumental textures, which are characteristically rich with a prominent use of strings, often using quotations and parodies. Among his many works are ... pianissimo .. (1969) for orchestra, the oratorio Nagasaki (1958), Sinfonia (1972), and Minnesang/Lovesong (1981) for 48 voices.

He studied in Vienna and at the Moscow Conservatory; and taught at the latter 1961–72. His music often plays on the dichotomy between reality and illusion. For example, his cadenza of the Beethoven violin concerto strikes a sensitive balance between an orderly traditional formula and atonal disintegration. He adopted the term ‘polystylism’ to describe music which is many-layered and highly allusive.

The operas Historia von Dr Johann Fausten and Gesualdo were premiered at Hamburg and Vienna respectively in 1995.

Works Opera Life with an Idiot (1992); Historia von Dr Johann Fausten (1995); Gesualdo (1995).

Orchestral and choral eight symphonies: no. 1 (1969–72), no. 2 St Florian for small chorus and orchestra (1979), no. 3 (1981), no. 4 for SATB soloists and chamber orchestra (1984), no. 5 Concerto Grosso, no. 4 (1988), no. 6 (1992), no. 7 (1993), no. 8 (1994); four violin concertos (1957–82); piano concerto (1960); concerto for piano and strings; five concerti grossi (1977, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1991); two cello concertos (1986, 1990); Ein Sommernachtstraum for orchestra (1985); Epilogue, Peer Gynt for orchestra and tape (1987); Trio-Sonata (orchestration of string trio, 1987); two oratorios Nagasaki (1958) and Songs of War and Peace (1959); Der gelbe Klang for nine instruments, tape, chorus, and light projection, after Kandinsky; Requiem (1975); Minnesang (Lovesong) for 48 voices a cappella (1981); Seid nüchtern und wachet .. (based on the Faust legend of 1587) for chorus (1983).

Chamber two violin sonatas (1963, 1968); three string quartets (1966, 1981, 1984); cello sonata (1978); Moz-art for two violins; Stille Musik for violin and cello (1979); Septet for flute, two clarinets, and string quartet (1982); string trio (1985); piano quartet (1988); Moz-art à la Mozart for eight flutes and harpsichord (1990).