Russian House in Baku to host evening in honor of Alfred Schnittke

Russian House in Baku will host an exhibition and concert dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the outstanding Soviet and Russian composer, musicologist, and educator Alfred Garrievich Schnittke on November 27.

The the event is organized jointly by the Russian House in Baku, the Russian National Museum of Music, and the Baku Musical Academy with the support of the A.G. Schnittke Moscow State Institute of Music.

Alfred Schnittke is one of the major Soviet composers of the second half of the 20th century, whose concert performances have always generated excitement. A pioneer of the technique of polystylistics, Schnittke could convincingly express himself in the musical languages of various genres and stylistic directions. His work is characterized by acute attention to contemporary issues, the fates of humanity, and human culture. The dilemmas of the world and culture, of good and evil, of faith and skepticism, of life and death that permeate his oeuvre make Schnittke's compositions an emotionally articulated philosophy.

Specifically for the anniversary of the remarkable musician, the Russian National Museum of Music has prepared an exhibition, which will be accessible at the Russian House in Baku.

The exhibition covers different spheres of Schnittke's creativity: film music, theater, and instrumental music. Among the exhibits are Schnittke's musical manuscripts, unique personal items, archival photographs, and scenes from famous films such as "The Tale of How Tsar Peter Took an Ethiopian Woman as His Wife," "Crew," "Tale of Wanderings," "Little Tragedies," "Agony," and others.

The concert program of the evening will include works by Schnittke from various genres, as well as a piece by his younger contemporary, the outstanding Azerbaijani and Russian composer Farhad Rzayev, performed by laureates of international competitions: the People's Artist of Azerbaijan, professor at the Baku Musical Academy Ulvia Gadjibekova, soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theater Yulia Geidarova, soloist of the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli Sabina Guliyeva, associate professor at the Baku Musical Academy Nargiz Salmanly, Baku Musical Academy lecturer Nargiz Kengerli, and the choir of St. Michael's Cathedral in Baku conducted by Kristina Efendieva.

Guests at the Russian House in Baku can expect a surprise- the Baku premiere of one of Schnittke's works.

The host and curator of the event is Alena Inyakina, a Doctor of Philosophy in Art History and senior lecturer at the Baku Musical Academy.