Alfred Schnittke - Faust Cantata, Ritual, Passacaglia

Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998)

Ritual for large symphony orchestra (1984/85)

(K)ein Sommernachtstraum for large orchestra (1985)

Passacaglia for large orchestra (1980)

Seid nüchtern und wachet (Faust Cantata) for contralto,

counter-tenor, tenor, bass, mixed chorus and orchestra

(1982/83)

Bass Cold, Ulrik

Tenor Devos, Louis

Counter-tenor Bellini, Mikael

Mezzosoprano Blom, Inger

Malmö Symphony Orchestra

Malmö Symfonikör

James de Preist

Leif Segerstam

If you were ever faced with having to own one--and only one--Alfred Schnittke CD, this would be an excellent choice. A collection with Seid Nüchtern und Wachet (better known as the Faust Cantata) as its anchor, this set also features inspired performances of the large, pulsing Ritual as well as a pair of additional large orchestral works: (K)ein Sommernachtstaum and Passacaglia. These are sprawling things, each invoking styles by the seeming dozens in blasts of energy. Schnittke's is a music of embarrassing riches, a palette he intentionally overfills in a self-consciously postmodern pastiche that speaks to the twin 20th-century Russian traditions of (in music) rich orchestration and (in politics) political repression. So it is that the Faust Cantata can weave between c. 16th-century texts and a very familiar liturgical choral style and a gut-busting set of solos that drive the piece to a frenzy. --Andrew Bartlett

The orchestral works Passacaglia, Ritual and (K)ein sommernachtstraum are all very well-conducted and beautifully recorded on this CD (as usual with BIS-records). The Malmö symphony orchestra specialized in Schnittke during the 80's, and that can be heard here. There is a great understanding to the sometimes very odd music.

The most exciting work in this compilation is the 'Faust cantata'. It's not the same story as behind operas like 'faust' and 'mefistofele', this is a bloodspreading thing. And you hear that in every tone of the music, both from the orchestra and the soloists. Schnittke maybe wasn't the ultimate vocalwriter, but some passages in the faust cantata are the best new singing-music I've heard. At it's very best heard in 'Es Geschah' - a totally hysteric tango(!). It would be on my top-five list of best 'arias' ever. Maybe the soloists aren't absolute worldclass, but they all get of very well.

This CD has the best of the strange russian composer Schnittke. His music is extremely energetic, blasting and style-mixing. If you want the best of this uneven composer, this is the CD for you.