Alfred Schnittke was a prominent Russian composer born on November 24, 1934, in Engels, within the Volga German Autonomous S.S.R., now part of Saratov oblast, Russia. He passed away on August 3, 1998, in Hamburg, Germany. Schnittke's diverse heritage, with a Jewish father of Latvian descent and a Volga German Catholic mother, deeply influenced his musical inspirations, drawing from both his German origins and his Russian homeland.

Schnittke's early musical education took place in Vienna from 1946 to 1948, where he developed a profound connection to music as a historical and cultural continuum. This period instilled a classical foundation in his work, influenced by composers like Mozart and Schubert. Upon returning to Moscow, he completed his studies at the Moscow Conservatory in 1961 and taught there until 1972. Schnittke was prolific in composing film scores, creating over 60 between 1961 and 1984, often in the Socialist Realist style mandated by Soviet authorities.

Schnittke is best known for his innovative "polystylism," a technique characterized by the juxtaposition of contrasting musical styles within a single piece. This approach is evident in works such as his First Symphony and Concerto Grosso No. 1. His music often faced scrutiny from Soviet officials, leading to restrictions on his travel and performances. Despite this, Schnittke gained international recognition in the mid-1980s, aided by prominent Russian musicians who championed his work.

In 1985, Schnittke suffered a severe stroke but continued to compose after his recovery. He received the Praemium Imperiale in 1992 for lifetime achievement in the arts. Schnittke moved to Hamburg in 1990, where his health continued to decline until his death in 1998. He was buried with state honors at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow, alongside other notable Russian composers.