Simon Leduc

3 Easy Duets

Simon Le Duc (1742-1777) is one of the most important French orchestral composers of his time and was held in high esteem by his contemporaries. Leopold Mozart too showed respect for him in his travel notes. His opus VI, 'Six petits Duos pour deux violons de la plus grande facilité', was first published in 1771 by the publishing house of his brother Pierre. Many characteristic themes from the duos could have been written by Haydn, while the well-balanced formal structure of the movements is reminiscent of Johann Christian Bach. The music stands out due to the new contrasting, melodic, homophonic style of the classical idiom undergoing development. All in all, the way in which it compiles duos of imaginative art and its design for the violin in particular makes this collection ideal for lessons, auditions and amateur music-making.