background
Schnittke composed the penitential psalms in 1988 to commemorate the Christianization of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus in 988 and based it on anonymous Russian texts from the 16th century about guilt and repentance. It is one of the 20th century’s most impressive large-scale works for a cappella choir, setting intensely emotional texts to equally expressive music and approaching centuries-old Orthodox musical traditions through the lens of late 20th-century music.
This recording uses the original manuscript, which differs from the published score in several ways. It results in an interpretation that tries to be closer to the composer’s intentions.
Program
Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998) Psalm VIII. If you wish to overcome
lyrics
Ashtche khostcheshi pobediti
Bezvremyannuyu petchal’,
Ne opetchalisya nikogda zhe
Za koyu-lyubo vremyannuyu vesh’.
Ashtche i byen’ budeshi,
Ili obestchesten,
Ili ogtnan,
Ne opetchalisya,
No patche raduïsya.
Togda sya tokmo petchalisya,
Yegda sogreshishi,
No i togda v meru,
Da ne vpadeshi vo otchayaniye
I ne pogibneshi
performed by
Cappella Amsterdam
Daniel Reuss conductor
