An Analysis of Alfred Schnittke's Fourth Symphony

Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation

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Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/rx913r68d

Abstract

This study presents an analysis of Alfred Schnittke's Fourth Symphony, scored for tenor soloist, contralto soloist, mixed chorus, and chamber orchestra. Commissioned by Le Chant du Mende publishing company in Paris, the Fourth Symphony was completedin 1984 during a period of increasing enthusiasm for Schnittke's compositions outside ofthe Soviet Union. In approaching an analysis of the Fourth Symphony, it is necessary to consider religious, political, and biographical issues relevant to the composition of the work as well as the music itself The Fourth Symphony is, in fact, an autobiographicalwork inspired by the composer's personal religious inquiries . Its overall structure isbased on the Rosary, a prayer closely associated with Schnittke's religion of choice, Roman Catholicism .

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