44 Duos arranged for Two Flutes [Playing score(s)]

This thick book of 44 duets is based on the folk music Bartók collected during his travels throughout Hungary, Slovakia, Transylvania and Romania. These miniature creations blend modernism and tradition, through the combination of Eastern European folk melodies and the language of 20th century music. Originally composed for violin, Rahbari has arranged these pieces as flute duets, embracing the complexities of the flute whilst remaining connected to the sound colours of the violin.

The publication is clearly grouped into four books (the contents page is a good aid). The first two books are suitable for beginners, the third for intermediates and the latter for more advanced players. It is important to note that these “books” are all contained within this one publication. This makes it a useful tool for teaching all abilities, or to mark a player’s progression. The first half provides a great introduction to more difficult duets, whilst the latter half creates a challenge for more well-versed players. Each book, regardless of ability level, provides some interesting harmonic textures and dissonant phrases. In many of the pieces, interest is achieved through bitonality or polyrhythms, following a key change in one part or alternating time signatures. This book certainly provides some very interesting sight-reading and can help to instil students with the confidence to tackle pieces that do not appear to be simple on the surface.

Each piece has the original title in the language native to the work, as well as English and German translations. Large font makes all the details, including grace notes and time changes, easy to read. The duration of each duet (when played at the given metronome marking) is provided at the end of each piece.