Bis

Alfred Schnittke - Symphony No. 0 & Nagasaki (2007) {BIS Schnittke Edition, BIS-1647} (Item #24)
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© 2007 BIS Records AB | BIS-CD-1647
Classical / Contemporary Classical / 20th Century

The very first recording of a work by Alfred Schnittke on BIS (Cello Sonata No.1, on BIS-CD-336) was done in 1986 and was thus one of the earliest recordings of Schnittke’s music. As the composer’s reputation rapidly grew, so did the Schnittke catalogue on BIS, coming to include the major orchestral works, as well as chamber music. The BIS Schnittke Edition now numbers 24 titles and it is with particular pride that we with this instalment add to it the last – or rather the first – of this iconic composer’s 9 completed symphonies. (Symphony No.9 was left unfinished at Schnittke’s death in 1998.) He composed Symphony No.0 (1956-57) while still a student at the Moscow Conservatory, and it was only performed once during his lifetime, by the conservatory orchestra and with Dmitri Shostakovich in the audience.

Alfred Schnittke - Concerto Grosso No. 1 & Symphony No. 9 (2009) {BIS Schnittke Edition, BIS-1727} (Item #25)
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© 2009 BIS Records AB | BIS-CD-1727
Classical / Contemporary Classical / 20th Century

The first disc dedicated to the works of Alfred Schnittke on BIS was released in 1987, and has since been followed by 23 other titles, including a large part of his chamber music as well as the symphonies and other orchestral works. That first disc featured Concerto grosso No.1 in the original version for two violins and strings – the work which to some extent became Schnittke’s breakthrough in the West in the late 1970s. On the present disc that same work is heard again, but now in a world première recording of Schnittke’s own version with solo parts for flute and oboe. Soloists are Sharon Bezaly and, on the oboe, Christopher Cowie , making his first appearance on BIS. They are supported by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes, a team that collaborated already on the most recent Schnittke title in the BIS catalogue.

Alfred Schnittke - 3 Concertos - New Stockholm Chamber Orchestra, Lev Markiz (1987) {BIS Schnittke Edition, BIS-CD-377} (Item #1)
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© 1987 Grammofon AB BIS | BIS-CD-377
Classical / Contemporary Classical / Concerto

Schnittke as we know is a very unique composer. "all composers are unique". Well some more so than others, and some MUCH more so unique than others. Schnittke, like Pettersson stand out as the 2 greatest late 20th century composers and 2 of the greatest ever in the past 300 yrs.

Alfred Schnittke - Concerto Grosso No. 4 (Symphony No. 5) - GSO, Neeme Järvi (1988) {BIS Schnittke Edition, BIS-427} (Item #2}
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© 1988 Grammofon AB BIS | BIS-CD-427
Classical / Contemporary Classical / Concerto / Symphony

Alfred Schnittke's Concerto Grosso No. 4/Symphony No. 5 was commissioned by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam for its centenary. Riccardo Chailly led the orchestra in its premiere performance on November 10th, 1988. However, Neemi Jarvi led the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra of Sweden in this, the work's first recording, in December 1988, released on BIS in 1989.

Alfred Schnittke - Violin Works, Quasi una sonata & Other Works (2006) {BIS Schnittke Edition, BIS-1437} (Item #22)
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© 2006 BIS Records AB | BIS-CD-1437
Classical / Contemporary Classical / 20th Century

Early on in his career, the violin became an immensely important instrument for Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998). He developed a remarkable skill in composing for the instrument, resulting in a number of highly successful works of which several have been gathered on this disc. During the 1960s, a time when the violin was not the preferred instrument for the avant-garde as it carried too much historical ballast, Schnittke used it as tool for experimentation developing polystylism, an incorporation of historical sources or techniques into a modernistic context.
An early polystylistic work was Quasi una sonata, one of Schnittke's best-known works largely due to its narrative character; Schnittke tells a story filled with contrasts and drama.

Alfred Schnittke - The Ten Symphonies (2009) {6CD Set, BIS Schnittke Edition, BIS-1767~68} (Item #26)
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© 2009 BIS Records AB | BIS-CD-1767~68
Classical / Contemporary Classical / 20th Century

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.