The sketches for Alfred Schnittke’s Symphony no. 3, and what they (don’t) tell us?
The sketches for Alfred Schnittke’s Symphony no. 3, and what they (don’t) tell us?

Summary/Abstract: The analysis of Alfred Schnittke’s Symphony No. 3 that I present in this paper is based on my study of Schnittke’s sketches from the Juilliard Manuscripts Collection. The importance of these manuscripts, which (to my knowledge) are discussed in a peer reviewed publication for the fi rst time, is twofold. On the one hand, the sketches make it possible to correct errors found in earlier analyses of this symphony; in particular, they provide plenty of information on Schnittke’s manipulation of thematic material and the overall constructive principles. On the other hand, although the sketches fail to broach a coherent narrative, they do hint at Schnittke’s hidden intentions and provide clues for an informed reading of this idiosyncratic work and its possible meanings.

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