Vladimir Jurowski conductor
Anna Larsson Mephistophila
Andrew Watts Mephistophiles
Markus Brutscher Narrator
Stephen Richardson Dr Faustus
Moscow Conservatory Chamber Choir

Haydn Symphony 22 (The Philosopher)
Wagner Prelude and Good Friday Spell from Parsifal
Schnittke Excerpts from The History of D. Johann Faustus (UK première)



‘Faust is the theme of my whole life, I am already afraid of it’, wrote Alfred Schnittke as he pressed on with his third, fiercely ambitious opera; ‘in fact, I don’t think I shall ever complete it.’ And he was right. But the component parts Schnittke did complete were enough to immortalize his Faust project. Here is music of galloping dramatic momentum, terror and imagination, scored for chorus, orchestra, electric guitars, crumhorn, zither and lute. As the doctor who sells his soul is dragged down to hell, Schnittke’s devil serenades him with a mocking, amplified tango in just one of the composer’s memorable coups de théâtre.

Haydn's wrote his Symphony 22 during his long spell as Court Composer to Prince Nikolaus Esterházy. The nickname subsequently given to it may reflect the dialogue that seems to take place in the first movement, when a quirky melody and counter-theme seem to suggest a 'Q and A' session.

Parsifal was the last opera from its larger-than-life creator. For its theme, Wagner chose to explore in music the battle between paganism and Christianity, darkness and light - previewing the battles of Schnittke's work in the second half of the concert in an exceptionally moving score.

This concert will be broadcast by BBC Radio 3 at 7.00pm on 24 November 2009.



FREE 6.15pm - 6.45pm | Royal Festival Hall
A performance of Schnittke's String Quartet No. 3 by the Harpham Quartet

To hear selections from this concert select a track below to open the music file. (Windows Media Player required.)
Haydn: Symphony 22 in E flat major,"The Philosopher" - II. Presto- I. Allegro moderato
Haydn: Symphony 22 in E flat major, "The Philosopher" - IV. Finale: Presto
Wagner: Parsifal: Orchestral Suite - Good Friday Spell
Wagner: Parsifal- Act III: Karfreitagszauber (Good Friday Magic)

TICKETS: £9 - £55
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Sunday 22 November 2009
An absorbing day of music and discussion celebrating the life and music of Alfred Schnittke.
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CONCERT: Schnittke, Berg, Webern and Lindberg
Wednesday 25 November 2009
Vladimir Jurowski conducts a programme of works including Schnittke’s Symphony No.3

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FILM SCREENING: The Agony
Saturday 28 November 2009
A screening of Elem Klimov’s 1974 film The Agony, with score by Alfred Schnittke.
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Audio Samples:
Audio Sample 1: Schnittke The History of D.Johann Faustus Prologue. Audio Sampel 2: Schnittke The History of D.Johann Faustus Spottische Sch.