François Devienne

18 Easy Duets

François Devienne was active as a flutist and bassoonist and left behind a rich compositional oeuvre (operas, orchestral and chamber music). He was also important as a teacher and taught at the Conservatoire in Paris, founded in 1795. In 1794 he published his 'Nouvelle Méthode théorique et pratique pour la flûte', from which the 18 duets are taken. This instructional work is an important contemporary source for phrasing and articulation, and the duets, though simple in form and playability, provide valuable practice material in a wide variety of styles.
The present edition is based on an undated copy (circa 1800) of the 'Nouvelle Méthode' in the collection of the British Library, (call number g. 239 a).