I first heard Walton’s Viola Concerto in my youth and the mixture of haunting sadness and exuberance won me over immediately. Although other composers have written works for the instrument, they are seldom played and the viola remains under regarded and unappreciated, as do viola players! Having recently composed a number of cello pieces, culminating in my ‘Umbrian Variations’ for eight cellos, I decided to try my hand at something else, the result:- this Sonatina for Viola and Piano.

Last year (2009), at Ian Christians’ Dordogne Chateau, the Quator Wihan gave a concert and I was very struck by the viola playing of Jiri Zigmund – hence the dedication.