für Violoncello und Orchester-Schnittke s first cello concerto was written during a near fatal time in his life after having suffered a severe stroke in 1985 during which his heart stopped three times. Upon recovery he completed the concerto the music becoming more dissonant and discordant with the melodies more contorted.The first cello concerto was a monumental endeavor for large orchestra and approximately 40 minutes in duration. The work was written for Schnittke s close friend Russian cellist Natalia Gutman. The solo part is most feverish and virtuosic exhausting the performer both technically and emotionally. The last fourth movement creates an unusual structuralprogression ending in what feels like a celestial hymn-like prayer. Schnittke himself said: Suddenly I was given this finale from somewhere and I ve just written it down.Available here is the study score for Schnittke s emotionally and technically demanding Cello Concerto No.1. This Sikorski edition study score is well presented and provides an excellent resource for study or perusal use.
