A landmark study of Dmitri Shostakovich’s final composition, the Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 147, drawing on first‑hand testimonies, archival documents, and previously unpublished primary sources. Richly illustrated with over 50 rare images.

See Abstract below

Shostakovich's Viola Sonata

Unraveling a Legacy

by Viacheslav Dinerchtein

Imprint: Resonant Press

ISBN: 978‑3‑9526255‑0‑7

Deluxe Hardcover Edition

Limited print run

Expected release: June 10, 2026

See full Technical Details below

“What a treasure this volume is!” — Kim Kashkashian

See more Endorsements below

Chapter 4: The Viola Sonata as a Self-Requiem
– Posthumous Premiere
– The Adagio in Memory of Beethoven
– Quoted Material in the Sonata
Chapter 5: Questioning the Legitimacy of the Self-Requiem Interpretation
– Awareness of Impending Death: In Perspective
– Shostakovich’s Later Works and Their Valedictory Undercurrents
– Unfinished Tomorrows: The Composer’s Future Plans
Chapter 6: Afterthoughts
Bibliography

Abstract

A landmark study of Dmitri Shostakovich’s final composition, the Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 147, this book offers the first sustained scholarly exploration of a work long revered in performance yet still veiled in mystery. Drawing on new evidence and first hand testimony, it traces the Sonata’s genesis, its place in the composer’s final years, and the motivations that led Shostakovich to write for the viola—an instrument of introspection, one whose timbre so closely evokes the human voice.

With historical insight and sensitivity, the study confronts lingering questions about the widely held belief that the Sonata stands as Shostakovich’s own musical requiem. Richly illustrated with rare and previously unpublished images, the book presents a multidimensional portrait of this enigmatic masterpiece, situating it within the broader arc of Shostakovich’s late style and legacy.

Endorsements

“So many of Shostakovich’s works deserve book-length study, but so few have received it. Now Viacheslav Dinerchtein has done the job for the Viola Sonata – Shostakovich’s last, and in many ways dark masterpiece – to which he brings a performer’s inside knowledge and dedication, but also the broad reading and sharp critical acumen of a true scholar.”

— David Fanning, musicologist, Shostakovich scholar; Professor Emeritus, University of Manchester

“What a treasure this volume is!”

— Kim Kashkashian, Grammy Award–winning violist

“Not just viola players seeking context for a cornerstone of their repertoire, but anyone interested in the last years of Shostakovich’s life will find this a fascinating read.”
— Carlos María Solare, former president, International Viola Society

“Viacheslav Dinerchtein’s monograph on Shostakovich’s final composition is the first such publication to deal with this deeply introspective work, one that confronts mortality, through the blending of sparse textures with haunting allusions to earlier works. T he book will appeal to Shostakovich enthusiasts and scholars alike.”

— Alan Mercer, Editor, DSCH Journal

Technical Details

Physical & Production Specifications

Format: Deluxe hardcover (dust jacket, cloth case binding)
Pages: 162
Trim size: 148 × 210 mm (A5)
Paper: Matte art paper (157 g/m²)
Binding: Sewn binding
Printing: Offset printing (high resolution)

Publication Information

Publisher: Resonant Press
Year: 2026
ISBN (print): 978-3-9526255-0-7
ISBN (ebook): 978-3-9526255-1-4

Special Features

20+ newly typeset musical examples
50+ archival photographs and facsimiles, including previously unpublished and edition-exclusive materials
Druzhinin’s original performing copy (first movement)
Shostakovich’s original draft (first page)
Extensive bibliography

Author

Viacheslav Dinerchtein (DMA, Northwestern University) has performed worldwide, appearing in viola recitals and chamber music concerts at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Hessischer Rundfunk Frankfurt, and at numerous International Viola Congresses. His landmark recording of the Complete Sonatas for Solo Viola by Mieczysław Weinberg (Solo Musica / Sony Music) earned him a nomination for the International Classical Music Awards in 2020. A tireless advocate for lesser‐known viola repertoire, Dinerchtein is the dedicatee of several award‐winning compositions
for the instrument. His editions and arrangements have been published by Ovation Press, Amadeus Verlag, and Peermusik Classical. He also served as President of the Swiss Viola Society.

Born in Minsk, Belarus, Dinerchtein grew up in Mexico before pursuing his studies in the United States. He now resides in Switzerland with his wife and four children. In addition to his career as a classical violist, he is a FIDE‐certified chess trainer, holding the title of National Instructor.