Louis Spohr

36 Duos for 2 Violins from the Violin Tutor 1

The selection of 36 violin duos from Louis Spohr’s famous Violinschule, compiled with commentary by Kolja Lessing, meets two objectives: First of all, it is an extraordinarily delightful, musically-enriched addition to the violin-duo repertoire; secondly, it incorporates the easiest, no less original duos into the lessons for beginners.

Volume 1 therefore brings together 24 short duets, initially to be played only on the open strings, then culminating in the various fingerings of the 1st position: in light of Spohr’s harmonically ever-imaginative second violin part (for the teacher), here is an invaluable, basic chamber-music experience for beginners. Considered here are aspects of bowing technique, together with various intonation problems.

Volume 2 presents the unmistakably personal style of the entire cosmos of Spohr’s violin art in the 12 often highly virtuosic duos: an El Dorado of magnificent early romantic recital pieces written by a great composer and passionate teacher.