Shostakovich's Violin Sonata, Op. 134, was composed as an 'additional' 60th birthday present for violinist David Oistrakh, after an earlier work intended for the occasion was given a year too early.
Performer Biography
Natalia Prishepenko, the violinist on this album, was the first violinist of the Artemis Quartet for eighteen years, from 1994 to 2012, leading them to international success.
Composer Biography
Prokofiev spent half his creative life abroad and was part of the Western avant-garde, while Shostakovich, 15 years younger, remained in his homeland and was part of Soviet music from the start.
Recording & Production
This album is one of the most expressive and venturesome interpretations of these works, juxtaposing two sonatas of the same genre by Prokofiev and Shostakovich to continue a dialogue between the two composers.
Historical Context
Prokofiev and Shostakovich, two prominent 20th-century composers, are often compared due to their shared background at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory and their careers within the Soviet Union.
Performer Biography
Dina Ugorskaja, the pianist, was forced to flee the Soviet Union with her family at age 15 due to antisemitic threats.
