From November, 12th, to December, 31st, a book exhibition “The melody of stripped nerves” timed to the 80th birth anniversary of Russian composer Alfred Schnittke (1934–1998) runs in the Music and audiovisual documents reading room (auditorium 305).
The exposition is dedicated to the creativity of the honored worker of arts of Russia, talented composer and master who had a restless subconsciousness and was kindly disposed to experiments. His works are notable for a sharp attention to urgent issues of the present, the destiny of mankind and the questions of culture. Mighty concepts, contrast dramatic compositions, and a strained expression of musical sounds are inherent to his art. One of the features of Alfred Schnittke’s music is poly-stylistics which at times looks like an odd collage.
The composer created operas Life with an Idiot (1991), Gesualdo (1994); ballets Esquisses (after 1985), Labyrinths (1989), Peer Gynt (1989); a scenic composition Yellow Sound (after 1984); cantata The Story of Dr. Johann Faust (1983), requiem (1975), nine symphonies (1972–1998), instrumental orchestras (concertо grossо), concerts for the violin with the orchestra, the oboe and the harp, the piano, the alt, the cello, orchestra pieces, serenades, a piano quintet, a quartet, hymns, a string trio, sonatas, and many other.
Alfred Schnittke fruitfully worked in the field of stage and screen having written music for many theatrical plays and movies such as The Story of an Unknown Actor , The Crew, The Agony etc. A number of articles, including those about composers of the 20th century came from his pen as well.
The central section of the exhibition “The melody of stripped nerves” presents music documents with the composer’s works: Hymns for the chamber and instrumental ensemble, suite Revis Fairy Tale, Suite in Old Style , the First concert for the violin with the orchestra, canon Homage to Stravinsky, sonatas № 0, № 1, № 2, № 3, pieces for the violin and the piano, cantata Songs of War and Peace etc.
The exposition also includes audio records of Alfred Schnittke’s most known works such as Sonata № 1 for the piano, the Concert for the violin with the orchestra, the Concert for the choir in four parts, Hymns for the chamber and instrumental ensemble, the Violin trio, the Concert for the cello with the orchestra, symphonies № 1, № 2, № 3, № 4, № 8, music to movies etc.
Author’s articles of Alfred Schnittke and books and magazine publications about the composer are also on display, including the first monograph by V. Kholopova and E. Chigareva Alfred Schnittke: an essay of life and work (1990).
The book is illustrated with numerous photos and includes music and reference documents. Also there is an interesting edition Talks with Alfred Schnittke (1994) which includes records of dialogues with the famous composer collected by book compiler A. Ivashkin in 1985–1992.
The offered exhibition will be interesting to both professional musicians and admirers of Alfred Schnittke’s music.
Contact telephone: (375 17) 293 27 52.
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