Shostakovich Sonata for violin and Sonata for viola

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
The Violin Sonata, Op. 134 was written in honor of David Oistrakh’s 60th birthday and premiered in Moscow on May 2, 1969, with Oistrakh and Svyatoslav Richter performing. Oistrakh was a close friend of Shostakovich and served as the composer’s main inspiration for both of his violin concertos.

The Viola Sonata, Op. 147 was Shostakovich’s last work. It was dedicated to the violist Fyodor Druzhinin, a professor of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and a member of the Beethoven String Quartet, a renowned Moscow ensemble that played at the premieres of most of Shostakovich’s string quartets. Fyodor Druzhinin and Mikhail Muntyan premiered the Viola Sonata in Leningrad on October 1, 1975.

Tracks:

Rainstreet - Kevin Braheny & Tim Clark
A Perfect Night for Flying Carpets - Kevin Braheny & Tim Clark
Early Morning - Zeus Faber
Angels of the Deep - Raphael
Cootes Paradise - Mychael Danna & Tim Clement
Resting Upon Jacob's Pillow - John Doan
Down by the Sally Gardens - Joanie Madden
Heaven in a Wild Flower - Bill Douglas
The Drowning Plains - Mychael & Jeff Danna
O Earth, O Earth, Return - Bill Douglas
Rolling Earth - Coyote Oldman
Boot & Paisley - Al Gromer Khan & Kai Taschner
Eternal Return - Constance Demby
Forgiveness - Raphael
Adieu - Paul Sauvanet

Customer Reviews:

Hearts of Space: Universe 4.......2005-08-14

Pleasant-listening CD. I expected a little more variety, but overall it's relaxing to listen to.

Hill brings another awesome mix of HOS artists.......2002-02-01

Another great set of Hearts of Space artists....

Once again I now own the individual discs of all the artists but 4 of them...and if I could find a Zeus Faber disc, I'd get it...

Alot of the tracks on this collection have a water theme to them...Braheny and Clark have tracks from their "Rain" disc, Danna and Clement contribute from their "North of Niagra" disc...both of these have a waterfall, rivers and rain feel to them...then add in the ocean induced work of Raphael to finish the water feel...

There's also an Irish section, albeit small with a track from John Doan and one from Joanie Madden...The largest feel of this disc is solemness...Bill Douglas contributes a pair of songs backed by the amazing Ars Nova Singers...and Constance Demby presents a soaring soundscape...and to end the disc...a quiet sad track from Paul Sauvanet...

Album Description

Two remarkable chamber compositions by D. Shostakovich are presented in this album. Sonata for Viola and Piano is the composer's last work.

Customer Reviews:

Dan in Oregon.......2006-09-22

First, let me say, that I love Shostakovich. Unfortunately, the recorded sound is so bad that this CD is painful to listen to. The microphone sounds like it was situated in the last row.The instruments take a back seat to coughing and other room noises.

stunning live recordings of late Shostakovich masterpieces.......2006-02-06

Moscow Studio Archives has delivered fantastic treasures with this release of two live recordings from 1985. Oleg Kagan plays the Violin Sonata (1968) and Yuri Bashmet plays the Viola Sonata (1975), which was Shostakovich's last work, both accompanied by the great Sviatoslav Richter on piano. Kagan, who died at a tragically young age, was a student of David Oistrakh, the dedicatee of the Violin Sonata. Yuri Bashmet was the star student of Fjodor Drushinin, the violist of the Beethoven Quartet, and the dedicatee of the Viola Sonata.

These are unmistakably works of the late Shostakovich, brooding and dark. Unlike the liner notes author, I do not believe that late Shostakovich in general is the best Shostakovich -- certainly that is not true of his symphonies or his string quartets. It seems obvious to me that his great works were mainly composed between the late 1930s and the late 1950s. However, these sonatas are truly great works, and deserve a wider audience in this centennial year of the birth of Dmitri Dmitrievich.

Both sonatas share a similar three-movement structure, and both are enlivened by a central Allegretto featuring memorable folk melodies. The Violin Sonata is notable for including the use of tone-rows in the first movement. Both finish with powerful slow movements, the Violin Sonata's 15-minute Largo and the Viola Sonata's 17-minute Adagio, which Yuri Bashmet conveys with total conviction.

The sound of the disc is not perfect. There are a few coughs here and there, but not so much as to ruin the listening experience. If you have heard Shostakovich's best symphonies (Nos. 4, 5, 8, and 10), and have sampled his string quartets (perhaps with the 2-disc Borodin Quartet set on Virgin -- see my review), and want to hear Shostakovich in other forms, by all means don't miss this!

See my SHOSTAKOVICH: A LISTENER'S GUIDE list for more reviews and recommendations.

Average customer rating:

ditto
Nobuko Imai is amazing

The Russian Viola

Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

William Primrose: Viola Transcriptions
A Portrait of the Viola
Twelve Fantasias performed on viola
Music for Viola & Piano
The Art of the Viola

ASIN: B0000016DD
Release Date: 1994-09-23

Tracks:

Nocturne
Allegro Moderato
Larghetto Ma Non Troppo (Andante)
Elegie
Elegie Per Va Sola
Moderato
Allegretto
Adagio

Customer Reviews:

ditto.......2007-03-27

Imai's interpretations of any piece, and in particular the Shostakovich on this disk, far out-class any other violist. A true musician.

Nobuko Imai is amazing.......2000-04-07

She is my favorite violist.

Average customer rating:

It Would Be Worth Every Cent Just for the Brahms Sonatas
Essential Oistrakh
Fantastic
A wondeful collection
Oistrakh (and Richter) Triumphant!

David Oistrakh Edition

Manufacturer: Melodiya
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Davd Oistrakh and Sviatoslav Richter - Live at Alice Tully Hall, New York 1970
David Oistrakh
Heifetz & Piatigorsky - Historic Performance Film Footage
Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No1, Op107; Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99

ASIN: B000001HDT
Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: 1. Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: 2. Canzonetta. Andante
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: 3. Finale. Allegro vivacissimo
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: 1. Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: 2. Adagio di molto
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: 3. Allegro, ma non troppo
Two Humoresques For Violin And Orchestra op. 87: No. 1 In D Minor
Two Humoresques For Violin And Orchestra op. 87: No. 2 In D Major

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 77: 1. Allegro non troppo
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 77: 2. Adagio
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 77: 3. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace - Poco piu presto
Violin Concerto In A Minor, Op. 53: 1. Allegro ma non troppo
Violin Concerto In A Minor, Op. 53: 2. Adagio ma non troppo
Violin Concerto In A Minor, Op. 53: 3. Finale. Allegro gioicoso, ma non troppo

Tracks:

Ciacona In G Minor
Orfeo ed Euridice: Melody
Widmung, Op. 25 No. 1
Romance In A Major Op. 94 No. 2
Hungarian Dance No. 8 in A Minor - Presto
Hungarian Dance No. 9 in E Minor - Allegro ma non troppo
Hungarian Dance No. 20 in D Minor - Allegretto - Vivace
Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor - Allegro - Vivace
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: El pano moruno
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Nana. Berceuse
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Cancion
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Polo
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Asturiana
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Jota
Six Songs: Love Song, No. 6
Danzas espanolas op. 37: Andaluza No. 5
Suite Bergamasque: Passepied
Beau Soir
Raymonda op. 57: Entr' acte
Daisies, op. 38 No. 3
Vocalise op. 34 No. 14

Tracks:

Violin Sonata No. 2 op. 100: 1. Allegro amabile
Violin Sonata No. 2 op. 100: 2. Andante tranquillo - Vivace - Andante - Vivace di piu - Andante - Vivace
Violin Sonata No. 2 op. 100: Allegro grazioso (quasi Andante)
Violin Sonata No. 3 op. 108: 1. Allegro
Violin Sonata No. 3 op. 108: 2. Adagio
Violin Sonata No. 3 op. 108: 3. Un poco presto e con sentimento
Violin Sonata No. 3 op. 108: 4. Presto agitato
Violin Sonata In A Major: 1. Allegretto ben moderato
Violin Sonata In A Major: 2. Allegro
Violin Sonata In A Major: 3. Recitativo - Fantasia. Ben moderato
Violin Sonata In A Major: 4. Allegretto poco mosso

Tracks:

Violin Sonata No. 1 Sz. 75: 1. Allegro appassionato
Violin Sonata No. 1 Sz. 75: 2. Adagio
Violin Sonata No. 1 Sz. 75: 3. Allegro
Violin Sonata op. 134: 1. Andante
Violin Sonata op. 134: 2. Allegretto
Violin Sonata op. 134: 3. Largo

Customer Reviews:

It Would Be Worth Every Cent Just for the Brahms Sonatas.......2006-12-19

This is probably my favorite boxed set of anything, ever. Each disc has its own merits but the Brahms and Franck are passionate and sublime, the Bartok is everything you want your Bartok to be, and of course the Tchaikovsky is without comparison. Long live King David!

Essential Oistrakh.......2002-01-10

A mandatory purchase (at a bargain price!) for all violin lovers- it contains some of Oistrakh's greatest recorded performances, including mind-boggling performances of the Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Brahms and and Dvorak concerti as well as the famous sonata recordings with Richter. Please, BMG, could we have more such treasures from Melodiya's legendary vaults?

Fantastic.......2000-07-31

Perhaps the great accomplishment in playing an instrument is to play it naturally, as if it were like breathing. Few artists prove this point as well as Oistrakh, the Soviet Union's artist, a true symbol of the Russian's school of music's excellence. As some other reviewer said, this is a moment of true musical orgasm. As an aspiring violinist, hearing Oistrakh's effortless rendition of the Tchaikovsky brings one almost to tears before such greatness. Some may complain about his dated method, but I favor it above any other artist, and highly recommend his interpretation of both the Brahms and the Tchaikovsky. Considering the fact that people didn't walk out of his performance of the pieces while a bombing raid was going on (during WWII), the man's musical prowess is second to none. Of special attention is the Brahms Sonata in A Major with Richter, easily one of the purest performances of the piece.

A wondeful collection.......2000-07-01

David Oistrakh has arguably the best pure tone of all who have ever played the violin--bar none.

Oistrakh (and Richter) Triumphant!.......2000-02-07

Reviewer David Mednicoff is exactly right about this set. All the concerto performances are terrific, but the two discs of sonatas (Brahms #2 & 3; Frank; Shostakovich [the live world premiere] and Bartok) with Richter are really something else. Amazing.

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 7; Shostakovich: Viola Sonata; 10 Preludes

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 7; Shostakovich: Viola Sonata; 10 Preludes

Manufacturer: Warner Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Brahms: Violin Concerto; Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3

ASIN: B0009JM42E
Release Date: 2005-06-21

Tracks:

Allegretto, Op.34 No.2
Allegretto, Op.34 No.6
Allegretto Non Troppo, Op.34 No. 12
Moderato, Op.34 No.13
Largo, Op.34 No.17
Allegretto, Op.34 No.18
Andantino, Op.34 No.19
Allegretto Poco Moderato, Op.34 No.21
Adagio, Op.34 No.22
Allegretto Furioso, Op.34 No.20
I Allegro Con Brio
II Adagio Cantabile
III Scherzo: Allegro - Trio
IV Finale: Allegro - Presto

Tracks:

I Moderato
II Allegretto
III Adagio

Average customer rating:

Haunting, Atmospheric, and Beautiful
Not your ordinary tonal bubble bath ...
The Best overall stress reducing music cd ever!
Only problem is...
Wonderful and Relaxing.

Night Tracks

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Airs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Nightmoods: Twilight Hour
Morning Mood: The Soft Sounds of Grieg
Northern Lights: Music of Contemplation for a New Age
The Most Relaxing Piano Album in the World...Ever!

ASIN: B000000SAH
Release Date: 1996-10-29

Tracks:

Symphony No. 2: Andante sostenuto 'A London Symphony'
Paulina's Theme & Paulina's Secret (Death And The Maiden)
La Traviata: Prelude To Act 1
Symphony No. 9 'New World': Largo
The Well - Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude In C - Sharp Minor
Carnival Of The Animals: Aquarium
Gymnopedie I
Trivium: Camerata Tallinn
The Children of Lir: 'Listen To The Cleric's Bell'
Suantrai
The Well - Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude In C Major
Romance For Violin And Orchestra: The Lark Ascending
Lyric Pieces: Arietta, Op. 12, No. 1
Suite No. 6 In D Major For Cello: Allemande
Sacred Choral Works: Concerto No. 32, Andante Moderato
String Quintet In C Major, D 956: Adagio
Sanata In C Major, K, 454: Andante
Piano Concerto No.2, Op. 102: Andante
Appalachian Spring: Andante

Amazon.com

This disc must be intended for insomniacs; it has that three-in-the-morning feel. The single movements featured are for the most part well performed. And some are decidedly off the beaten track, like Wojciech Kilar's Death and the Maiden (no relation to Schubert's) from the soundtrack to the movie, Paulina's Secret. And we also get English horn player Thomas Stacy doing the solo from the slow movement of Dvorák's New World Symphony with the New York Philharmonic. Also, there is violinist Tasmin Little and the BBC Symphony in a beautiful, dewy performance of The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams. -- Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

Haunting, Atmospheric, and Beautiful.......2006-06-15

Every time I find myself awake past midnight, I listen to this CD. It does indeed have that "three-in-the-morning feel". I'm not a classical music buff but every piece on Night Tracks is well-chosen and played beautifully. No matter I stressed out I may feel, this CD never fails to relax me and fill me with peace and tranquility --- I can't recommend it highly enough. The album cover is striking and moody.

Not your ordinary tonal bubble bath ..........2005-10-01

I love this recording for its thought-provoking selections. I wouldn't suggest reading while you listen, you'll get too distracted. Maybe a long soak in the bath and a nice glass of wine. It's great for thinking things over. If I have a criticism, it's the odd themes from Dvorak, Copland, Vaughn Williams and Verdi. Playing just a taste of a theme from something doesn't satisfy. But the Bach, Kilar, Espere and the rest are wonderful.

The Best overall stress reducing music cd ever!.......2005-01-17

This is by far one of my favorite cd's to listen to at the end of a long day. Especially in the winter months curled up by a fire and a good book.

Only problem is..........2005-01-04

I always fall asleep by the third song. It is so relaxing and wonderful in assortment.

Wonderful and Relaxing........2003-01-17

Truly one of the best collections of relaxing classical music. A must have for couples when the kids are gone, or just some quiet time alone. Soothing to the mind, body and soul.

Average customer rating:

Legends of Russia

Manufacturer: Revelation
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000006BBD
Release Date: 1998-04-21

Tracks:

Symphonic Suite 1941: I. In Battle
String Quartet No. 3 in E, Op. 73: III. Allegro Non Troppo
Porgy And Bess: Prelude
Zwei Konzertetuden, S145: Gnomenreigen
Concerto For Viola And Orchestra In A Minor: I. Andante Comodo
Prelude And Fugue In A Minor
Violin Concerto: I. Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 6 In A, Op. 82: II. Allegretto
Symphony No. 2: I. Adagio
Satires, (Pictures Of The Past) Op. 109: II. Spring Awakening
Piano Sonata No. 3: II. Scherzo
Violin Concerto: II. Andante
Fantasiestucke
Symphony No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 65: II. Allegretto
Symphoney No. 1 In C: IV. Finale

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 In D Minor: II. Allegretto
Fantasy, Op. 116: Capriccio In D Minor
Sonata For Two Violins: IV. Allegro Con Brio
Theme And Variations On The Name Of 'Abegg,' Op. 1
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 In G: III. Presto
Curly Headed Baby
Carmen: Act I: Seguidilla And Duet
Piano Concerto No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 16: II. Scherzo
Sonata For Cello And Piano In D Minor, Op. 40: IV. Allegro
Concerto For Two Violins And Strings In D Minor: I. Vivace
Piano Sonata No. 7 In D, Op. 10 No. 3: I. Prestissimo
Violin Concerto In G Minor: III. Allegro Energico
Waltz No. 14 In E Minor
Cello Concerto No. 1 In E Flat: I. Allegretto
Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 36: IV. Finale

Average customer rating:

A Violinist of Consummate Skill and Intelligence

Daniel Hope: Shostakovich Violin Sonata

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Schnittke: Sonata for Violin & Chamber Orchestra / Concerto Grosso 6 / Weill: Concerto for Violin & Wind Orchestra / Takemitsu: Nostalghia
Schnittke: Symphony No.7/Cello Concerto No.1
Alina - Arvo Part

ASIN: B000042NZS
Release Date: 2000-02-15

Tracks:

Son Op.134: I. Andante
Son Op.134: II. Allegretto
Son Op.134: III. Largo - Andante
Cadenza - Daniel Hope
Mirror In The Mirror
Son No.3: I. Andante
Son No.3: II. Allegro
Son No.3: III. Adagio
Son No.3: IV. Senza Tempo
Silent Night

Amazon.com

Much-praised young violinist Daniel Hope has put together an intelligent survey of late-20th-century works for violin and piano from Eastern Europe. The emphasis in these technically adroit, emotionally overwhelming performances is on the areas of continuity between a comparatively conservative composer such as Shostakovich and the younger composers considered dangerously avant-garde in the conformist cultural politics of socialist realism. Shostakovich's one violin sonata was a product of the period of intense creativity that followed his recovery from his first heart attack; it is a cool, bleak ruminative work that occasionally breaks out into the expression of deep sorrow. The Penderecki Cadenza is a stunningly passionate solo deriving from some of the same material as his viola concerto, the Pärt piece one of his meditations on sound and time. The Schnittke sonata, dominated by a motto derived from his name, is again the work of a dying man and all the more urgent for that. --Roz Kaveney

Customer Reviews:

A Violinist of Consummate Skill and Intelligence.......2006-02-14

Daniel Hope my not be a name familiar to the large classical music audience - yet. Given the number of fine young violinists today it is difficult to stay abreast of the spectrum of talent on the concert stage. But Daniel Hope is one of the few who dares to enter territory less popular and seemingly formidable - performing avant-garde works in his growing number of recitals and orchestral soloist appearances - and even recording CDs such as this superb recital of tough music. The recital requires much from the listener but the rewards are immense.

Much of the success of this recording is due to the continued collaboration of Daniel Hope with pianist Simon Mulligan. Their communication is wholly mutual, each enhancing the other in a manner too seldom heard. They open with Dmitri Shostakovich's 'Sonata for violin & piano, Op. 134', a fiery work that challenges technique while it demands soulful commitment to the softer passages. This is followed by the densely difficult Cadenza, for viola solo by Krzysztof Penderecki, a work Hope assays with amazing dexterity. Then as though providing an aural respite, Hope offers Arvo Part's Spiegel im Spiegel for violin & piano' that hangs in space as only Part's works can.

Hope has become a major proponent of the music of Alfred Schnittke and the recital is completed by two very fine works - 'Sonata for violin & piano No.3' and 'Silent Night (Stille Nacht), for violin & piano'. The ease with which both musicians move among this repertoire is laudable and despite the fact that this recital may not find its way on the recurring playing platform of those fortunate enough to purchase this recording, it will serve notice of a fine violinist who seems unafraid of any challenges. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, February 06