Tender, nostalgic, and immediately memorable, Shostakovich’s Romance from The Gadfly is one of the most beloved melodies from his film music. This SJ Music edition, arranged for viola and piano by Sue Otty, places the lyrical melody beautifully within the viola’s warm, expressive register. Shostakovich (1906–1975), one of the most important composers of the twentieth century, originally wrote the music for the 1955 Soviet film The Gadfly, based on the historical novel by Anglo-Irish writer Ethel Voynich.

Set against revolutionary Italy of the 1830s and 1840s, the film allowed Shostakovich to draw upon nineteenth-century Italian musical influences. The famous Romance later became part of the orchestral suite assembled from the film score and has since achieved an independent life in concert performance. For violists, its long melodic lines provide excellent opportunities to develop sustained tone, expressive vibrato, controlled bowing, and sensitive phrasing.

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