The Belgian composer Henry Vieuxtemps was known in his lifetime as one of the foremost exponents of the violin in Europe, and much of his music demonstrates his own considerable abilities as a virtuoso performer. He excelled also as a violist, and the small body of compositions he left for this instrument reflect his fondness for it. The Sonata and the two movements designated an Unfinished Sonata, and likewise the three shorter works, show the features characteristic of the composer, in their ‘singing’ quality and in the impressive technical demands that they place on the performer.