Sonata in G minor, Op. 19: Viola, Solo with Piano, Solo and Piano

The SONATA in G minor, Op. 19, was written in 1901 for cello and piano, and it was Sergei Rachmaninoff's (1873-1943) final chamber work, finished right after the composer finished his famous PIANO CONCERTO No. 2, Op. 18. The public success of these two works helped Rachmaninoff recover from the depression and creative pause resulting from the failed 1897 premiere of his SYMPHONY No. 1. The SONATA premiered in Moscow on December 15, 1901, with Anatoly Brandukov, to whom the work was dedicated, playing the cello and the composer at the piano. Rachmaninoff considered the piano to be more than mere accompaniment in this work, but rather an equal to the cello, usually introducing the themes that the cello would then embellish and expand upon. This transcription for viola and piano was completed by Vadim Borisovsky. Reprint edition.