When thinking about Russian viola sonatas, a limited list of compositions may initially spring to mind, perhaps beginning and ending with the Shostakovich sonata. Violist Eliesha Nelson is out to prove that Shostakovich was certainly not the only Russian composer who wrote duo chamber music for her instrument. Joined by pianist Glen Inanga, Nelson presents a surprising program of four works for viola and piano, each penned by Russian composers in the early half of the 20th century. Some listeners may be familiar Paul Juon, ...
Read More
When thinking about Russian viola sonatas, a limited list of compositions may initially spring to mind, perhaps beginning and ending with the Shostakovich sonata. Violist Eliesha Nelson is out to prove that Shostakovich was certainly not the only Russian composer who wrote duo chamber music for her instrument. Joined by pianist Glen Inanga, Nelson presents a surprising program of four works for viola and piano, each penned by Russian composers in the early half of the 20th century. Some listeners may be familiar Paul Juon, whose works are currently experiencing revitalization, but names like Varvara Gaigerova and Alexander Winkler are likely unknown. Folk idioms, rhythmic components, and sonorities that typically characterize "Russian" music are present throughout this disc, but the influence of the west is still decisively present. Each of the compositions are idiomatically written for the viola, focusing on the instrument's strengths of dark, rich, tone, and melancholy sonorities, and while none of...
Read Less
Portions of content provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2024 Rovi Corporation.