Classical Music | Cello Music

Recorded on 04/19/2016, uploaded on 04/19/2016

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Dmitry Shostakovich completed this early sonata in 1934, a work composed solidly in the classical-romantic traditional form. The first movement combines conservative elements of typical sonata form with romantic harmonies while at the same time opens a door to the music of the 20th century through his unique sound world. The Allegro non troppo begins with a romantic lyrical cello melody supported by impressionistic chordal accompaniment in the piano, leading to near collapses of melody and harmony in the development while always returning to a classical state of balance.

The Allegro, a scherzo, presents a stark contrast to the first movement. Atypical of some other works of Shostakovich, the movement eschews echoes of Russian folk songs for a melody seemingly reminiscent of a German folk dance. The scherzo is characterized by an intentionally rough style and constantly repeating passages.

In contrast to the more vertical style of the Scherzo, Shostakovich shows his mastery of composition in the lyrical, horizontal Largo movement, from the expansive tonality to the extreme dynamic range, from whispering piano to nearly-screaming fortissimo. Formal rules seem to no longer matter and the music almost breaks with reality over long passages.

The closing Allegro is a clearly defined movement, opening with a playful melody passed between the piano and cello. The movement continues with contrasting, almost schizophrenic episodes until a highly virtuosic exchange of scales between the instruments leads to a final return of the opening theme before the apparently playful exchange abruptly ends.           Program Notes by Erik Asgeirsson and Rebekka Kosack

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.