An Examination on D. Shostakovich’s Viola Sonata Op.147 from a Technical Perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide a resource to those who wish to gain a deeper understanding on the technical aspects of Shostakovich’s Viola Sonata Op. 147 based on F. Druzhinin’s edited viola part. This study consists of two methods; books are used as research material to provide an overview on composers life and music, extracts from F. Druzhinin’s viola part and recordings are examined to provide technical suggestions to performers. Preparing this article, books and F. Druzhinin’s viola part are obtained from the library of Royal Northern College of Music. For the recording of Fyodor Druzhinin, youtube is used as online resource. The headlines inside the study are as follows; an overview of Shostakovich’s life and viola sonata, other composers and artists that have influenced Shostakovich’s music (Ludwig Van Beethoven and Nicolai Gogol) and performance suggestions given based on F. Druzhinin’s viola part and recording. For the music examples in this article Moscow: Publishers Musika, 1984, Collected Works in forty-two volumes: (Vol.38, viola part edited by F. Druzhinin) is used.