Three Centuries of Russian Viola Sonatas
The Russian viola sonata is a rare bird, not least because the instrument itself was frowned upon by the Soviet authorities; as a result Russian music for the viola has a rather patchy history. It begins in earnest in 1931, when the 1825 Sonata by Mikhail Glinka, ‘the father of Russian music’, was reconstructed from his sketches by Vadim Borisovsky, ‘the father of the Russian viola’. Thereafter, musicians and composers worked together to expand the repertoire. The relationship between the composer Revol Bunin and the violist Rudolf Barshai resulted in a sonata of 1955 which deserves wider currency. Although half a century apart, the Shebalin and Sokolov sonatas have something unusual in common: both were created as part of a triptych, alongside sonatas for violin and cello. All four composers knew how to make the viola sing – though this lyricism is often animated by moments of drama and excitement.
Basil Vendryes, viola
William David, piano
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Mikhail Glinka (1804–57)
- I. Allegro moderato
- II. Larghetto, ma non troppo
- I. Allegro appassionato
- II. Andantino semplice
- III. Sostenuto – Allegro spirituoso
- I. Allegro moderato –
- II. Andante –
- III. Allegro –
- IV. A tempo (lugubre)
- I. Con libertà – Allegro
- II. Andante con moto
- III. Allegro assai
Viola Sonata in D minor (1825/28)
Revol Bunin (1924–76)
Viola Sonata in D minor, Op. 26 (1955)*
Ivan Sokolov (b. 1960)
Viola Sonata (2006)
Vissarion Shebalin (1902–63)
Viola Sonata in F minor, Op. 51, No. 2 (1954)*
* FIRST DIGITAL RECORDINGS
Arcana.FM :
‘What’s the story?
Toccata Classics’s Next imprint comes up with an enterprising concept in four viola sonatas extending across 178 years of Russian music, all sympathetically played and recorded while revealing numerous similarities, as well as contrasts, in approach between these composers. […]
Is it recommended?
It is. Those who acquire it will hopefully be encouraged to seek out further music by the latter three composers – Shebalin being adequately represented (though his symphonies and string quartets need to be reissued), Bunin hardly at all and Sokolov with a further Toccata release.’
—Richard Whitehouse, Arcana.FM