History and Performance Notes

My catalogue of compositions was lacking in music for two. Charles Fischer of Unicorn Music saw the gap and commissioned this set of 24 duets for recorders, in 8 volumes grouped by instrument combination. Their difficulty levels are generally suitable for intermediate players, though advanced players will find them enjoyable and challenging as well. As in all my music, tasteful ornamentation beyond what is notated is welcome and encouraged.

Volume 7 is for Alto and Bass recorders. Each duet is 3 pages, so an extra loose folio is provided with the third pages, to avoid impossible page turns.

“Sonatina Invenzione” is a two-part invention in quasi-Baroque style that makes extensive use of 3-against-2 cross-rhythms. The tempo should have drive, but not be overly fast.

“Alegría” is a fun Latin-inspired song, starting with the Bass laying down the 3+3+2 rhythm for one round before the Alto floats a cantabile melody above. As the title suggests, this duet expresses joy and should be played with a big smile in your sound. The syncopated rhythms have a complicated appearance, but with just a little practice they will sound natural and effortless.

“Dude Ranch” conjures up an image of lazy weekend cowboys in the sunshine, with simple harmonies and bluegrass-infused chord changes. The 16-measure campfire melody in the Alto repeats in its entirety an octave up and slightly more ornamented, against a jazzed-up Bass accompaniment. The “  ” ornament is a quick turn around the note to the left: ; accidentals below the ornament indicate how the lower note should be played.