• Duos op. 3 Nr. 1-6 (G. 56-61); Duos op. 46 Nr. 1-6 (G. 63-68)

When one thinks of Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805), one does not necessarily think of such modest works as violin duos, but in addition to his extensive oeuvre of trios, quartets and quintets for string instruments, Boccherini's work also includes two sets of six pieces for two violins. One movement was written at the beginning of his compositional career in 1761 - before his 20th birthday - and was published a few years later, in 1768, by Louis-Balthazar de La Chevardière in Paris under the title Six duos pour deux violons with the opus number 5. The composer later referred to the same collection as his opus 3. And then there is a second, much later set with arrangements for two violins of other compositions by him that were originally written for three or five string instruments. The latter movement was published in 1799 - just a few years before his death - by Ignace Pleyel in Paris under the similar title Six duos pour deux violons with the opus number 46. Unsurprisingly, the two movements are very different in character.

Boccherini's Op. 3 duets all consist of three movements. Five of them begin with a fast movement in a major key. This is followed by a slow movement in a different key, sometimes major, sometimes minor. And finally, there is usually a minuet in a characteristic 3/4 time with a tempo between slow and fast. The first duet in the movement, however, follows a different model: it begins with a slow movement, followed by a fast movement and finally there is a cheerful "Presto".

We know the year of composition of the Op. 3 duets and we know with certainty that they are works by Boccherini. With regard to the Violin Duets Op. 46, however, there are still some question marks. We know that they were published in 1799 by the Parisian publisher Ignace Pleyel, but they are missing from the catalog of his own works compiled by Boccherini himself. This does not necessarily mean that they are not by his hand. Boccherini regularly arranged his own compositions for other instrumental combinations, and these are systematically missing from his catalog. And these arrangements are not simply reductions of the original compositions for two violins: In many cases, they are thorough new compositions based on the original material. This last aspect in particular contributes to the assumption that the arranger was Boccherini himself: arrangers who are not the original composer usually leave the structure of the composition unchanged in their arrangements. In the case of Boccherini's Duets Op. 46, new compositions were created, so to speak.

Boccherini's violin duets are perhaps not among his best-known compositions. For the Op. 3 duets, you have to go back quite far in time to find a recording on LP or CD. The Duets Op. 46 have never been recorded on LP or CD. So it is high time for a CD of these charming and melodious works.

Further information:
Recorded in October, November and December 2021, Velp, Netherlands. The booklet in English contains liner notes by Rudolf Rasch and profiles of the violinists.

The recording of the Duets Opus 3 is based on the critical edition of these works in volume 29 of the series Luigi Boccherini: Opera Omnia, published in 2007 by Ut Orpheus Edizioni (Bologna).

Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805), a much underrated composer, was one of the leading composers of the late 18th century, a friend and colleague of Haydn and Mozart and a formidable cello virtuoso. Although his music is less dramatic than that of Haydn or Mozart, there are moments of explosive drama which are all the more effective when they burst forth fortissimo from an otherwise calm movement. The harmonic transitions are also surprising and are used to great effect. His music is sensual, charming and highly melodic, but can also be passionate and dramatic.

This new recording presents the complete duets for two violins by Boccherini. Originally conceived as study material, these works go far beyond that goal, as they are sophisticated, skillfully written compositions, full of good melodies and sparkling vitality. Performed by Igor Ruhadze and Daria Gorban, who specialize in Baroque repertoire and have recorded the complete works of Locatelli and works by Nardini. Rugadze's recording of Boccherini's violin sonatas on Brilliant Classics received 5 stars in the French Diapason.