Unfinished Sonata for Violin and Piano

Unfinished Sonata for Violin and Piano

sans op.

On 26 June 1945, Shostakovich began writing a new composition, whereby he finished the rough sketch and, judging by the handwriting and colour of the ink, possibly rewrote the fair copy of a massive (225 bars!) double exposition in the sonata form in one day. It was a monumental idea.

One way or another, the work begun on 26 June was not finished either that same summer of 1945, or at any later time. The manuscript breaks off abruptly. The small fragment (8 bars) inserted at the end of the rough manuscript shows that the composer intended to continue the work, having designated the beginning of the development section, but this intention was not carried out. The sonata remained unfinished.