JOSEPH LINGARD and J. F. RIDGWAY (Flute
Duets)
OF the music of Spohr, once one of the most popular Composers in Europe, little is now heard in public, though fiddlers rightly cherish his notable works for their instrument.
His Quartets almost all lay too much emphasis on the solo side of Violin playing, but in his Duets there is now and again some admirably balanced four-part work-when each of the two instruments plays in ' double stopping,' that is, in chords of two notes. This Duet includes three Movements—a slow one, a cheerful Minuet, and a final Movement of abounding vigour and gaiety.
THE expressive Second (Slow) Movement has become famous as a separate piece. The Solo Violins play throughout; we have, in fact, a Violin Duet with Pianoforte—originally String—accompaniment.
Third Movement. The Solo Violins begin in imitation of one another at a mere beat's distance.
A passage that .comes twice in the Movement, and that is different in stylo from any previously heard in this Concerto, is one where the two Solo Violins repeat quaver four-note chords (each Violin in 'double stopping ') whilst the accompaniment runs about playfully in semiquavers.