Composed in 1934, almost concurrent the Congress of Soviet Writers declaration of "Socialist Realism" as the only acceptable mode for Soviet artistic production, the Cello Sonata gives proof of Shostakovich's struggle to maintain his intellectual integrity, which made him such a model for later generations - as he was for Mieczyslaw "Moisse" Vainberg and Boris Tchaikovsky, both of whom died in February 1996. Shostakovich maintained both of them, his composition pupil Tchaikovsky as well as his indirect pupil Vainberg, to be extraordinarily talented. This CD is a special contribution to the 100th anniversary of Shostakovich's birthday in 2006, and at the same time a remembrance of Vainberg's and Tchaikovsky's deaths ten years ago.

JOHANNES MOSER (CELLO) - German-born cellist Johannes Moser came to international attention in June 2002 when he won the 12th Tchaikovsky Competition and was awarded the Special Prize for his interpretation of the Rococo Variations. He has performed with orchestras from around the world under conductors like Riccardo Muti, Valery Gergiev, Paavo Järvi and Kirill Petrenko. His United States debut took place in March 2005 with the Chicago Symphony under Boulez. He was greeted with standing ovations, and was described in the Chicago Tribune as "greatly gifted" and "heroic". Engagements in 2006/07 include performances with the New York Philharmonic orchestra under Lorin Maazel. You can find up-to-date information on the internet at www.johannes-moser.com.