Alfred Schnittke - Schnittke: Works for Piano and Strings (LP)

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Alfred Schnittke's "Schnittke: Works for Piano and Strings," a 2011 release under the Northern Flowers label. This minimalist masterpiece spans 53 minutes and features seven tracks, including the evocative "Violin Sonata No. 2, 'Quasi una Sonata'" and the five-movement "Piano Quintet." Composed between 1972 and 1976, the Piano Quintet is particularly notable for its deeply Russian spirit, dedicated to the memory of Schnittke's mother. The album showcases the talents of Yuri Serov on piano, accompanied by Lidia Kovalenko, Alexey Baev, Alexey Popov, and Kirill Timofeev. Schnittke, a prolific Soviet-Russian composer, is renowned for his lyrical and accessible compositions, making this album a delightful exploration of his musical genius.