Shostakovich’s cello sonata in D minor, composed in 1934, is a highly dramatic work, containing intense romantic lyricism, explosive anger, as well as biting sarcasm. It is Beethovenian in scope, a much more classically envisioned work than his preceding composition, the opera Lady Macbeth, which Stalin condemned as ‘muddle instead of music’, thus irrevocably changing the course of Shostakovich’s career.

The cello sonata in contrast, combines Shostakovich’s innovative and distinctive voice, both in terms of texture and harmony, with a more traditional sonata form. Shorty before Shostakovich began his cello sonata, Dutch composer and pianist, Henriette Bosmans starting writing another cello and piano masterpiece in 1919. This darkly expressive work, conceived so shortly after the end of the first world war, is on a grand scale, cello and piano in an equal relationship throughout. The piece goes on a journey from its towering opening chords, through moments of deep introspection, ending with a devilish finale.