Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was a Soviet-Russian composer. His Sonata for Violoncello and Piano in D minor, op.40, written in 1934, is essentially the commanding chamber work of Shostakovich's early years. In this recording, the sonata is heard in the version for viola and piano for which the viola part was arranged by Veit Hertenstein.

Some 40 years later, internationally celebrated and the recipient of numerous awards, decorations and honorific titles, particularly in the Soviet Union, Shostakovich had not long to live. Already seriously ill, he wrote his last work, the Sonata for Viola and Piano, op.147, one month before his death. It is regarded by many as his own encounter with Death. Shostakovich knew that he was about to die. Nor did he live to see his final work premiered.

Veit Hertenstein was born in Augsburg and studied in Zurich and graduated with distinction from the Haute École de Musique in Geneva. 2011 until 2017 Mr Hertenstein was the principal violist in the Basel Symphony Orchestra in Switzerland. Since October 2015 he is a professor for viola at the Hochschule für Musik in Detmold.

Minze Kim was born in Korea and studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Detmold. Since then she has had a teaching assignment there and also makes concert appearances as a much-sought-after chamber musician and Lieder accompanist.