COMPOSER'S NOTESThe music of these violin duos has been influenced by the centuries-long flow of traditional music from the British Isles to North America and back again. The compositions are dedicated toseveral people who are keeping that transatlantic musical flow in motion today.Sleep Sound Ida Mornin'Sleep Sound ida Mornin' is a very short duo for two violins based on a traditionaltune which I first heard in the Orkney Islands although played there on the banjo by a native of Kansas. My extended version with a slow introduction was first played in Boston on 29th January 1995 by Lesley Chen and NathanSchmidt members of the New England Conservatory's Preparatory Division during their annual weekend festival of contemporary music. This very remarkable and encouraging event was devised and organised by Rodney Lister to whomthis piece is dedicated.Duration c. 2 minutes.Atlantic DriftAn earlier even shorter version of Atlantic Drift written for violin and piano was first performed by PeterSheppard Skaerved and Aaron Schorr at the Royal Academy of Music London on 9th May 2006 in a concert to celebrate the 70th birthday of the American composer and transatlantic communicator Elliott Schwartz. The melody isoriginal though clearly influenced by the music and perpetual tides of the Hebrides. Duration c. 3 minutes.Rain and Mist are on the Mountain I'd Better Buy SomeShoesThis four-movement duo for two violins is based on a fragment of a Gaelic folk song from Barra in the Western Isles of Scotland. The title suggests that although the Gaels of yesteryear were rich inpoetic expression and the beauties of nature they were otherwise not very affluent. Rain and Mist was first performed at the Wigmore Hall London on 6th February 2005 by Corina Belcea and Laura Samuel.Duration c. 6

Six Duets For 2 Violins Op. 23. The ?Six Duos concertans?, which are today known under the opus number 23, feature wonderful instrumental music by Ignaz Pleyel. In contrast to other works to which the composer assigned the attribute ?easy?, the pieces from op. 23 are designated ?concertante?. They are indeed more demanding in terms of execution, but at the same time appealing works from the quill of the then extremely popular Pleyel, works that are eminently usable in music lessons and recitals. The uniformly two-movement compositions bring together great melodic richness and eclectic forms in their colourful mixture of sonata movements, rondos, minuets and variations. Like all Urtext editions of instrumental music from Henle, this edition is also comfortably equipped: an unmarked performance score is supplemented by two enclosed parts whose markings stem from Evelyne Grüb-Trauer?s many years of teaching experience. The first Urtext edition of these popular duets!

A refreshing collection of intermediate original pieces for violin duet. Selections include: Al See Ya Later; Today’s Special; After You; Beagle Mania; Blues for Two Rush Hour; Hot Tamale; Around the Clock; Good Morning Sunset;New York Blues; Let Us Play for Awhile; Close Shave; and Al B’s Dream.

During his lifetime composer Piano manufacturer and publisher Ignaz Pleyel bestowed upon the world of music an almost unimaginable number of published compositions some of them in multiple arrangements too. Of those what has remained in the repertoire today are primarily works for small chamber ensembles. Several Violin duos for instance have maintained their place among enthusiasts and students among them in particular the ?Little Duos in Increasing Difficulty ? which appeared in print in 1806 ?at the urging of several teachers? (according to the title page!). Now for the first time G. Henle Publishers presents these light performance pieces in anUrtext edition both in full score and as two individual parts to optimise use for any occasion.