The main material of the book is a recording of conversations with the famous composer conducted by A.V. Ivashkin during 1985-1992. The topics of these conversations are extremely diverse - from personal memories, experiences - to broad philosophical generalizations, apt observations about the world around us. The through line of the conversations is music - Schnittke’s opinions about his work, reviews of the music of classics and contemporaries. The book presents some of Schnittke's speeches and notes, as well as statements and interviews about him. The publication contains an extensive reference apparatus: a complete catalog of works, including a discography, as well as a list of articles and interviews with Schnittke. All materials, except those marked with links to previous editions, are published for the first time. For professional musicians and a wide range of readers.