This paper is focused on Nikolai Yakovlevich Miaskovsky’s Sonata for Cello and Piano, op.12 (1911). The Sonata exemplifies Miaskovsky’s exploration of modernism with an inclination toward late romantic traditions. This paper discusses the aesthetic origins and compositional philosophy of Miaskovsky’s early style in the first decade of the twentieth century. In particular, this paper shows his struggle to establish a personal musical style and demonstrates his remarkable craftsmanship, accompanied with a detailed analysis of the stylistic practice and musical structure.