SCHNITTKE, ALFRED  BIOGRAPHY

Alfred Schnittke's work has won wide acceptance in recent years, particularly since political changes in the former Soviet Union. His early studies in Vienna were followed by formal training at the Moscow Conservatory, where he later taught. His musical language is eclectic, combining a number of styles, contemporary and traditional. Schnittke continued to work after suffering the first of a series of serious strokes in 1985. He died on 3 August 1998 in Hamburg.

Orchestral Music

Orchestral music by Schnittke includes a number of interesting concertos or works for solo instrument and orchestra. These include concertos for violin, for cello, for oboe and harp, for viola and for piano. A series of Concerti grossi is of significance, with the St. Florian Symphony and In memoriam, for solo viola and orchestra.

Chamber Music

Schnittke's chamber music includes string quartets and sonatas for violin and for cello and piano, with a Sonata for violin and piano in the Olden Style and a Suite in the Old Style for the same instruments.