For this CD, the Carlton label has successfully grasped the rich radio archive of the BBC. The first work on this CD is the Symphony No. 2, 'St. Florian' by the Russian Alfred Schnittke. The nickname refers to the Austrian church where Anton Bruckner is buried. Schnittke once wanted to visit his grave, but that turned out to be impossible because there was just a mass celebration. Schnittke was very
… impressed by the dark building, which was "full of mystery" during the ceremony. In response, he used the six fixed mass movements, the ordinarium, as the skeleton for his second symphony. The result is a typical Schnittke mixture of old and new, of Gregorian chants and dark expressionist sounds, reflecting Schnittke's impression of St. Florian. The second work is Pas de Quatre, a combination of four pieces by just as many composers, created in 1978, namely Gennadi Rosjdestvenski, Edison Denisov, Arvo Pärt and Schnittke. The whole was forged into one by the former, while he also arranged the orchestration of Pärt's contribution. All four works criticize some aspect of the then ruling Soviet regime. Pärt's contribution is a Bach prelude, which is gradually pushed aside by one ever stronger chord. The symbolism will be clear to everyone. Most poignant is Schnittke's contribution, in which four officially recognized culture heroes of the Soviet Union are viciously portrayed. (JG) _ The whole was forged into one by the former, while he also arranged the orchestration of Pärt's contribution. All four works criticize some aspect of the then ruling Soviet regime. Pärt's contribution is a Bach prelude, which is gradually pushed aside by one ever stronger chord. The symbolism will be clear to everyone. Most poignant is Schnittke's contribution, in which four officially recognized culture heroes of the Soviet Union are viciously portrayed. (JG) _ The whole was forged into one by the former, while he also arranged the orchestration of Pärt's contribution. All four works criticize some aspect of the then ruling Soviet regime. Pärt's contribution is a Bach prelude, which is gradually pushed aside by one ever stronger chord. The symbolism will be clear to everyone. Most poignant is Schnittke's contribution, in which four officially recognized culture heroes of the Soviet Union are viciously portrayed. (JG) _ The symbolism will be clear to everyone. Most poignant is Schnittke's contribution, in which four officially recognized culture heroes of the Soviet Union are viciously portrayed. (JG) _ The symbolism will be clear to everyone. Most poignant is Schnittke's contribution, in which four officially recognized culture heroes of the Soviet Union are viciously portrayed. (JG) _more
