Sonata in C Minor for Viola and Piano

In 1992 a new Music Scholar arrived at Dean Close who played viola with the NYO; when asked for recommendations for viola repertoire, my response was to write this sonata. It is in a traditional three movements and subsequently received its first performance in 1993. I am still very fond of the 1^st movement’s 2^nd subject: a long, lyrical tune that traverses the viola’s full range with (I think) considerable yearning intensity.