Mikhail Bereznitsky, an ‘Honoured Artist of Russia’ and Associate Professor at the Moscow State Conservatoire from 2002 to 2016, was described by the composer Rodion Shchedrin as ‘one of the most brilliant violists in the world’. He was already a reputed violinist, experienced as soloist, ensemble player and leader of a number of outstanding chamber ensembles and orchestras, performing standard repertory, new music and rock, when at the age of 26 he realised that the sound and style of the viola lay much closer to his heart and, after a month of...