Dmitrij Sostakovics output for the viola is not numerous (it is entirely represented on this CD, which, indeed, also includes some transcriptions), but of an extraordinary quality. The Viola Sonata stands out as an absolute masterpiece of Classical music: it is the last piece written by the composer, a mere weeks before his death, and it represents his musical testament, with profuse citations from his own works and from those by Beethoven. The suite from the film score The Gadfly is more compliant with Soviet artistic ideals, but manages to create a series of character pieces which have unexpected depth and undeniable beauty. The short Impromptu op. 33 was only recently found (in 2017) as an album leaf written by Sostakovic for a friend, and it represents a valuable addition to the viola repertoire and to this albums musical programme.