Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-12-05 15:58
GBK -
The Rubank Vol. 2 duet arrangements date back to Beethoven's time, even though Rubank claims they're by Hymie Voxman. Several years ago, Larry McDonald showed me an early 19th century edition. We played through some on 10-key instruments, and the notes were identical.
The duets in part 3 of the Klose method are good. The first part is more difficult than the second, which is basically accompaniment. They are decent, though not great, music.
Once you are comfortable with the Rubank Vol. 2 duets, go to the excellent ones in Part 3 of the Langenus method, which are on about the same level or slightly more difficult. At the end of the book is a wonderful arrangement of the Beethoven trio for 2 oboes and english horn.
Part 2 of the Lazarus method has lots of duets, each designed to introduce a new key or alternate fingering. They are fairly simple, but use operatic tunes that are pleasing to play and help develop a singing style. Langenus part 2 has similar material.
When you're ready for the level beyond Klose or Langenus, go to the Lazarus method, part 3. This has three difficult duets with absolutely equal parts. They're very athletic, but lie well under the fingers.
Once you have gotten tired of scampering around like a couple of crazed squirrels, go to the following "operatic duets" in Lazarus. These are not as difficult as the preceding ones technically, but are better music. Each is drawn from themes from a particular opera. The second part is often less difficult than the first, or at least more "accompaniment" than solo, although the second part also gets some solo material.
Kuhlau's flute duets are very good music and work well for clarinets if the 1st player is comfortable in the altissimo.
Mozart wrote a set of 12 Duos for two horns, but they work well on any instruments. They're fairly simple technically, but they're MOZART, and so are well worth doing.
At a higher level of difficulty comes, of course, the Poulenc Duet, which has plenty to keep even really good players busy. It's simultaneously competitive and witty.
Additional recommendations are in the thread at http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=85603&t=85462.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Keepers
