Roger Benedict, principal violist with the Sydney Symphony, has turned his hand to some attractive arrangements for viola. Schubert’s Sonata in A Minor (Arpeggione) for viola and piano, was written for the short lived six stringed Arpeggione, an unsuccessful instrument. The work fell to other uses, in this case the viola. Though full of the composer’s genius, it is a melancholy work. That said, it seems difficult to describe works for viola as other than thoughtful; it goes with the territory and all these fine works tick that box. The last movement of the Schumann gets busy and provides some welcome energy after all the introspection.

Also arranged for viola are Schumann’s Intermezzo and his Sonata for Piano and Violin in A Minor. Benedict’s arrangement of the sonata, if milder than the original piano version, also takes on the more reflective...