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First Hand Records

Shostakovich: Cello Sonata; Impromptu; Viola Sonata

$21.99

Details

Composer
Dmitri Shostakovich
Artist
Paul Neubauer, Anne-Marie McDermott
Format
CD
Label
First Hand Records
Released
Aug 08, 2025
Catalog #
FHR176
UPC
5060216349176

About

We begin with one of Shostakovich's earliest chamber works, the Cello Sonata, originally premiered by cellist Viktor Kubatsky with the composer at the piano. Kubatsky later transcribed the cello part for the viola with Shostakovich's approval. His version, along with subsequent transcriptions by Evgeny Strakov and Annette Bartholdy, adapted certain passages to suit the viola. For this recording, I chose to remain as faithful as possible to the original cello version, raising some passages by an octave to accommodate the viola's range. This is followed by Shostakovich's Impromptu, a brief but captivating piece discovered in 2017. The album concludes with Shostakovich's Viola Sonata, which stands as one of the cornerstones of the viola repertoire. Not only is it his final composition, but it's also one of his most profound. In this work, Shostakovich seems to bid a poignant farewell, weaving in quotations from his earlier pieces and even paying tribute to Beethoven in the final movement.

Tracklist 8 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro non troppo 13:05
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro non troppo
    Duration
    13:05
    Composer
    Dmitri Shostakovich
    Performer
    Paul Neubauer, Anne-Marie McDermott
  2. 2 II. Allegro 03:30
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    03:30
    Composer
    Dmitri Shostakovich
    Performer
    Paul Neubauer, Anne-Marie McDermott
  3. 3 III. Largo 10:01
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Largo
    Duration
    10:01
    Composer
    Dmitri Shostakovich
    Performer
    Paul Neubauer, Anne-Marie McDermott
  4. 4 IV. Allegro 04:24
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Allegro
    Duration
    04:24
    Composer
    Dmitri Shostakovich
    Performer
    Paul Neubauer, Anne-Marie McDermott
  5. 5 Impromptu for Viola and Piano, Op. 33 01:51
    Track
    5
    Title
    Impromptu for Viola and Piano, Op. 33
    Duration
    01:51
    Composer
    Dmitri Shostakovich
    Performer
    Paul Neubauer, Anne-Marie McDermott
  6. 6 I. Moderato 10:47
    Track
    6
    Title
    I. Moderato
    Duration
    10:47
    Composer
    Dmitri Shostakovich
    Performer
    Paul Neubauer, Anne-Marie McDermott
  7. 7 II. Allegretto 07:07
    Track
    7
    Title
    II. Allegretto
    Duration
    07:07
    Composer
    Dmitri Shostakovich
    Performer
    Paul Neubauer, Anne-Marie McDermott
  8. 8 III. Adagio 18:22
    Track
    8
    Title
    III. Adagio
    Duration
    18:22
    Composer
    Dmitri Shostakovich
    Performer
    Paul Neubauer, Anne-Marie McDermott