For the Twelve Penitential Psalms, Schnittke found texts from a 16th-century collection of 'Writings of Ancient Russia' and filtered traditional composition techniques through modernity.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Alfred Schnittke believed musical works existed like Platonic ideals, floating in space, and that composing was about grasping these ideas, not just intellect or play.
Composer Biography
Schnittke's conversion to Catholicism in 1982 further fostered the imaginative power and meditative internalization in his music.
Composer Biography
Alfred Schnittke, a German-Russian with Jewish roots, was considered one of the 'young Turks' by the Soviet Composer's Association in the 1960s.
Compositional Technique
Schnittke coined the term 'polystylistic' for his compositional approach, which involves the intentional interaction of different musical styles, not merely a collage technique.
Performer Biography
The SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart has performed more premieres than any other choir in its sixty-year history, showcasing its commitment to contemporary music.
Composition History
The Twelve Penitential Psalms were completed on April 17, 1988, and premiered on December 26 of the same year in Moscow, celebrating the millennium of Russia's Christianization.
You might also enjoy...
Schnittke: Penitential Psalms / Voices of Nature
Bortniansky: Concertos for Choir Nos. 4, 28, 15, 10, 25
