Search - Dmitry Shostakovich, Julius Drake :: Viola Sonata / Cello Sonata Arr for Viola

Shostakovich's Final Brushstroke.

Louie Bourland | Garden Grove CA | 08/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dmitri Shostakovich was a giant of 20th Century Classical music. Throughout his lifetime, he was a prolific composer beginning during his teen years all the way up to just weeks before his death in August 1975 at the age of 68.

The Sonata for Viola and Piano was Shostakovich's final composition written roughly one month before his death and premiered on what would have been his 69th birthday in September 1975. The recording presented on this disc was recorded in 2001 and performed by viola virtuoso Annette Bartholdy and pianist Julius Drake. Throughout the 34-minute work, there are moments of beautiful serenity with contrasting sections of grave yearning and sadness. If anything, there is definitely a sense of pending death heard in this music as if Shostakovich knew his time on earth would be soon be ending. The Viola Sonata definitely serves as a fitting requiem to this dynamic composer.

Also included on this CD is a viola-adapted version of Shostakovich's Cello Sonata (originally composed in 1934). In sharp contrast to the 1975 work, the Cello sonata is a lively piece which has an overall influence of Bach and Mozart. The adaptation for viola gives the music a Chamber-like quality and is full of vigor and virtuosity.

Don't let the cheap price of this disc fool you. This is an awesome and definitive quality recording of Shostakovich's final masterwork. It's a fitting farewell delivered in an emotion filled performance. In other words, the low price is a steal.

Definitely A Must!!!"

Good recording of viola sonata.

Adam Bigham | Michigan, USA | 07/11/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have another recording of the viola sonata I am very pleased with, so at Naxos price I figured why not get another, but especially to try out the transcription of the cello sonata (one of my favorite Shostakovich works.) If you're considering this disc primarily for the recording of the viola sonata, then it is well-recommended. The playing and interpretation are first-rate, and, as with most Naxos discs lately, the recorded sound is excellent. Now if you have never heard the Cello Sonata (opus 40) before, this viola-transcription may be an interesting piece. The original is a favorite of mine - I have several recordings - and I would rather hear it performed on cello than this viola transcription. Nothing against the viola or the player, but this music was written for the richness of the cello (along with piano of course) and is not served as well on viola. Conversely, the viola sonata probably wouldn't come off if it was transcribed for cello; the music was intended to be played on viola. This certainly is not the case for every piece of music, but these pieces by Shostakovich I feel are best as originally composed. If you are interested in the cello sonata played on cello, then consider Han-Na Chang's recording on EMI. I am happy to recommend the Naxos disc for the viola sonata."