Alfred Schnittke (1934 –1998) was a Soviet and Russian composer. Schnittke's early music
shows the strong influence of Dmitri Shostakovich. He developed a
polystylistic technique in works such as the epic First Symphony (1969–1972) and
First Concerto Grosso (1977). In the 1980s, Schnittke's music began to become more
widely known abroad with the publication of his Second (1980) and Third (1983) String
Quartets and the String Trio (1985); the ballet Peer Gynt (1985–1987); the
Third (1981), Fourth (1984), and Fifth (1988) Symphonies; and the Viola (1985) and
1st Cello (1985–1986) Concertos. (wikipedia)
