Alfred Schnittke, Symphony no.5, Concerto Grosso no.4, 1988, by Jonathan Taylor

Alfred Schnittke, Symphony no.5, Concerto Grosso no.4, 1988

                      We have a different sense of time ... as a “simultaneous chord.” 
                                                                                                       – Alfred Schnittke

Spectres of Mahler 
and no doubt Marx
are stalking the corridors
of a grand hotel in disrepair
round which Alfred is pedalling
never at rest 
never at home.

Mahler’s murmuring to himself 
a ghostly piano quartet 
he forgot to complete
(his memory’s not what it was).

Marx props up the bar toasting his failures 
or beckons seductively from the bath 
his beard spread out
like a net. 

Both Ms are decomposing.

Sometimes Alfred turns a corner
to be confronted by the pair
their voices a sudden shining:

Come and play with us, Alfred.
Come and play with us
forever and ever and ever and ever.


Jonathan Taylor is an author, editor, critic and lecturer. His books include the novel Melissa (Salt, 2015), and the memoir Take Me Home (Granta, 2007). His poetry collection is Musicolepsy (Shoestring, 2013). He directs the MA in Creative Writing at the University of Leicester in the UK. His website is www.jonathanptaylor.co.uk.