Schnittke, Alfred.

1) My Favourite Time ["Lyubimoye moye vremya"], signed and inscribed ("A. Schnittke Music for cartoon..."), containing six musical episodes ("Farewell to Trigorsky...Memories...Don't tempt me...Landscape...Gallop II...Ritornelle"), 4 pages, large folio, no place [probably Moscow], 1980; 2) My Memories Take Me to You ["Ya k vam lechu rospominan'em"], signed and inscribed ("A. Schnittke Music for cartoon..."), the manuscript numbered "1" by Schnittke, containing two musical episodes, 6 pages, folio, no place [probably Moscow,] 1977; 3) My Memories Take Me to You ["Ya k vam lechu rospominan'em"], signed and inscribed ("A. Schnittke Music for cartoon..."), numbered "2" by Schnittke, containing three musical episodes, 4 pages, no place [probably Moscow,] 1977; 4) Autograph leaf containing drafts and sketches for unidentified film music, notated in short-score form, containing indications of scoring, 2 pages, containing other autograph annotations, no place or date 



notated in ink and, in one case, ballpoint pen, on systems of varying length, containing numerous corrections, deletions, erasures and revisions, stamp of USSR State Symphony Orchestra Film Music Library to 2), 3) and 4), 16 pages in all, various sizes

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Rare. Film music is rarely published, and autograph sources for it are seldom offered at auction.

During the 1960s and 1970s Schnittke was one of the most prolific composers of film music in the Soviet Union, with nearly 70 credits in this field to his name. His eclectic, polystylistic style, and great flair for unusual and apt orchestration, found a natural home in this medium. The scores offered here provide many examples of finely wrought textures and exquisite orchestration: for example, the syncopated, staggered entries of the flutes and clarinets (doubled by strings) over a pianissimo pedal in the evocative "Landscapes" from the cartoon score My Favourite Time. It is perhaps not insignificant that Schnittke's very first composition of 1946 was later re-used in the soundtrack to a cartoon, and that some of his film music found its way in to his non-film music, as in the case of much of the score of the animated film The Glass Harmonica (1968), which resurfaced in the Second Violin Sonata (1987).