The Shostakovich pieces on this album are an arrangement by Japanese violist Mamiko Kobayakawa of his works for two violins and piano, adapted for two violas and piano.
Compositional Technique
Frank Bridge's Lament for Two Violas is a demanding piece with rich harmonies that create the sonority of an entire string quartet, characteristic of his viola artistry.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Max Bruch deliberately wrote "pleasing and easily comprehensible works" to earn money and support his family, which he believed led to some of his compositions falling into obscurity.
Composition History
Frank Bridge's Lament for Two Violas was originally composed for himself and violist Lionel Tertis for a performance in 1912, but the original manuscript was lost and later reconstructed by musicologist Paul Hindmarsh.
Composition History
Jean Sibelius's Duo in C major, originally for violin and viola, was likely written for teaching purposes after his return from a scholarship in Vienna.
Composer Biography
Max Bruch, a German composer, began composing at age 11 and was considered one of the most esteemed German composers during his lifetime.
Performer Biography
Peijun Xu, one of the leading violists of her generation, has won multiple international awards, including the 1st Prize at the International Max Rostal Competition in Berlin and the International Yuri Bashmet Viola Competition in Moscow.
