Julius Rontgen: Three Viola Sonatas

The sonatas were written between November 1924 and March 1925. They show the composer at the height of his art. His friendly respect for the great North German and Viennese masters has quite obviously found it's way into his creative thinking, and he makes use of the most diverse procedures with a sure hand. Nowhere is there a dubious proportion, no piece seems too long, no subject unduly strained. It should also be noted that Rontgen has a profound knowledge of the instruments - himself an excellent pianist, the piano part makes great demands, the viola part skillfully exploits the advantages of the instrument without ever overtaxing it. © Herbert Kefer