Three exceptional pieces on a single CD: romantic, colourful and emotional Sonata by Strauss; Shostakovich’s gloomy, dark, monumental and – at times – ironic and grotesque Sonata, and finally the Ciaconna: a contemplative, rich in numerous shades of grey chamber version of Penderecki’s piece dedicated to the memory of John Paul the Second in its first phonographic rendition, more subtle than the symphonic original.

Three great creations, three outstanding, mature soloists. Jakub Haufa, a great solo violinist and Sinfonia Varsovia’s concertmaster; Marcin Sikorski, a recognized chamber pianist accompanying some of the best musicians; Katarzyna Budnik-Gałązka, a renowned viola soloist and chamber player.

Richard Strauss (1864–1949)
Sonata in E flat major for violin and piano Op. 18  
1. Allegro ma non troppo 10:45
2. Improvisation: Andante cantabile 8:10
3. Finale: Andante – Allegro 8:27

Dymitr Szostakowicz (1906–1975)
Sonata in G major for violin and piano Op. 134 
4. Andante 10:20
5. Scherzo (Allegretto) 6:40
6. Largo – Andante 14:14

Krzysztof Penderecki (ur.1933)
7. Ciaccona in memoriam Giovanni Paolo II, for violin and viola, solo version 6:10

Total time: 65:25