Schnittke, Moz-Art à la Haydn (Mozartwoche 2000)

Synopsis

Alfred Schnittke's composition for two solo violins, two small string orchestras, double bass and conductor (1977) was recorded with the Camerata academica Salzburg under the direction of Dennis Russell Davies at the Mozarteum Salzburg on 29 January 2000. The work is dedicated to Tatyana Grindenko and Gidon Kremer and was given its world premiere in Tbilissi in 1983. The first performance in Western Europe took place at the Lockenhaus Festival in 1984 with Gidon Kremer. Thanks to its spirited atmosphere, this piece is one of Schnittke's most popular works. Making his first appearance at the head of the Camerata academica Salzburg at the Mozartwoche 2000 was American conductor Dennis Russell Davies. Born in Ohio in 1944, he has guested as opera conductor at many of the most prestigious theaters of the world. In 1980 he was appointed General Music Director of the Stuttgart State Opera, and from 1987 to 1995 he fulfilled the same function in Bonn. He was then principal conductor of the Stuttgart Kammerorchester and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. He became General Music Director in Linz in fall 2002. The former "Camerata academica Salzburg" was renamed simply "Camerata Salzburg" in 2001. It was founded in 1951 by Bernhard Paumgartner, who was its head and mentor for many years. From 1978 to 1997 its artistic director was Sándor Végh and in 1997 Roger Norrington was appointed principal conductor of the ensemble. The Camerata Salzburg can be heard every year at the Salzburg Mozartwoche and Salzburg Festival. The teaming of Dennis Russell Davies and the Camerata academica was a total success: "The conductor, in spite of his cool exterior, acted anything but coolly, and the frisky ensemble created an ideal pairing, a kind of 'Dream Team'", wrote a Salzburg critic.

Additional Info

• No: A05508940
• Composer: Alfred Schnittke
• Conductor: Dennis Russell Davies
• Orchestra: Camerata Academica Salzburg
• Production year: 2000
• Run time: 00:15:00
• Director: Horant H. Hohlfeld
• Producers: Unitel