Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. String Quartet No. 1: Movement 1
2. String Quartet No. 1: Movement 2
3. String Quartet No. 1: Movement 3
4. Canon in Memory of I. Stravinsky
5. String Quartet No. 2: Movement 1
6. String Quartet No. 2: Movement 2
7. String Quartet No. 2: Movement 3
8. String Quartet No. 2: Movement 4
9. String Quartet No. 3: Movement 1
10. String Quartet No. 3: Movement 2
11. String Quartet No. 3: Movement 3

Disc 2:

1. String Quartet No. 4
2. String Quartet No. 4
3. String Quartet No. 4
4. String Quartet No. 4
5. String Quartet No. 4
6. Concerto for Mixed Choir: Collected Songs Where Every Verse Is ...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #76128 in Music
• Released on: 1998-05-19
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .29 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
These quartets (and who else but the Kronos Quartet should record them) represent Schnittke at his polystylistic best. The Kronos Quartet captures the essence of Schnittke's multi-hued textures, but these are not friendly works. In fact, they are quite foreboding--but then so are the quartets of Shostakovich and Bartók. This is a two-disc set that also includes the brief "Canon in Memory of I. Stravinsky" and Collected Songs. Schnittke's best music contains its own instruction manual. Listen long enough and you'll get it. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews

masterful anguish and dread
This is a powerful, harrowing cycle of string quartets, beautifully played by the Kronos Quartet, and recorded for Nonesuch. The First, from 1966, defiantly uses serialism, and this contributed to Schnittke's subsequent dissident status with the regime. He was forced to make his living doing film scores, which for some reason was allowed. The Second Quartet, from 1980, shows a remarkable continuity with the First, despite the long interval. It is the Third Quartet (and we have here the recording previously issued on WINTER WAS HARD in 1987) from 1983 that marks Schnittke's turn to "polystylism," with references to Beethoven, Wagner and Shostakovich. Less harsh, this piece captures as well as any Schnittke's basic affinity with Mahler and Shostakovich, as opposed to the more radical innovations in 20th century music. The 35-minute Fourth Quartet is masterful, full of the anguish and dread so characteristic of Schnittke.

This is a splendid set that stands alongside the finest interpretations of Bartok, Shostakovich, Kurtag, Ligeti, and Carter. I consider Schnittke to be one of the best composers of the late 20th century -- see my ALFRED SCHNITTKE'S TRAGICOMIC SOUNDWORLD for more recordings and reviews.

A must-have for lovers of 20th Century music
Kronos plays these quartets with passion and fire. No matter how "abstract" the musical material, the emotional impact of the music is deeply felt. Some of the emotional material is very dark (and it's particularly poignant that this collection is coming out in the year of the composer's death), but I came away intensely exhilerated. Anyone who loves Bartok and Shostakovich should definitely have these as part of their collection.

a masterpiece.
i know nothing of Schnittke's music. i only know what moves me. these quartets move me. the Kronos Quartet are masters of interpreting 20th century music. and they do a magnificent job here, bringing Schnittke's notes off paper and into the air. It can be intense and then in a milli-second turn clam. the composition is amazing. Schnittke uses dissonance to paint a portrait so vivid one can almost see the music floating through the air. a must for lovers of 20th century music and a must for those wanting to expand their ear.