Duocordes: 15 easy duets for two cellos

About this piece

A book of 15 short, easy duets for two cellos, published in 2017 (also issued for two violins and two violas). The pieces are ordered by left-hand fingers: the first use open strings, and later numbers each focus on one finger in first position. Both parts are of similar difficulty and are written in simple meters, with occasional dance-like 5/8 bars. Bowings and fingerings are deliberately left fairly open for teachers, while tempo changes, fermatas and dynamics are marked for musical playing. Delatour grades the book 1–2/8 ('très facile à facile').

Technical overview

Both players stay in first position on all four strings, playing quarter, half and dotted-half notes with some eighths and simple accidentals. The pieces add two-note slurs, staccato quarters, hairpins and tempo changes, and keeping a steady pulse with the partner is central.

Technical focus

• Ensemble Skills
• C String Notes
• A String Notes
• 2 Note Slurs
• Articulation
• Accidentals
• Hairpin Dynamics
• Tempo Changes
• Meter Changes