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In composition class this week, we looked at the rules for strict species counterpoint in 16th century style. Starting from here and after many exercises, the plan is to create duos for various instruments or voices in a freer, yet still contrapuntal, idiom.

There are so many duos I could share with the class as models; it’s hard to limit the list of suggested repertoire. Here are a few indespensibles I hope they’ll get to study:

Lassus and Morley: duos for voices

Bach: Inventions

Bartok: duos for strings

Wuorinen: Percussion duo

Monteverdi: Zeffiro Torna (I know, there’s continuo too, but it’s wonderful vocal duet writing)

Carter: Hiyoku and Au Quai

Babbitt: Philomel and Davidovsky: Synchronisms (one of the duet partners is a machine!)

Which duos are some of your favorites?

Comments from Facebook:

Michael Haas

Michael Haas

Kodaly, Ernst Toch and Hanns Eisler have both written duos for violin and cello – Erwin Schulhoff too – Toch also wrote duos for violin and viola. But God save us from an entire programme of duos!
50 minutes ago · Delete
Stephen Soderberg

Where were you when I was suffering through undergrad counterpoint??! :-)
25 minutes ago · Delete
Stephen Soderberg

Since you’ve gone over the edge already, Christian, let’s give a slightly broader definition for counterpoint: the CF has to be a line of music, but its CP does not — along with the rule: the two “voices” must be comparatively equal in importance. The rule is meant to keep out “music-as-accompaniment” relationships (e.g., sound track/film). With this in mind, take a look at http://www.susanschwalb.com/pages/abooks.html#
The problem here is that to experience one of these works by Boykin and Schwalb you must make arrangements with one of the galleries. OR: give Marty or Susan a call & invite them to your class.
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