Ten Little Duets

OMP023 Ross Edwards Ten Little Duets

Ten Little Duets by Ross Edwards are graded as moderate, for two C recorders (two tenors or sopranos) though for some sopranino is coupled with alto, both reading as C instruments; for others tenor and bass are suggested (reading from treble clef) and for one even sopranino and bass. The lower voice dwells in the first octave, the upper one occasionally reaching to upper A.  Within the mostly simple time signatures employed there are some nice jazzy rhythms and three of the duets explore the 3/4-6/8 dichotomy, while the last number, "Celebration", has some quite searching rhythms in its basic 5/8-time.  I particularly liked the energetic "Mbira" and "Echoes" and the wistful "Ocarinas" that exploits supertriplets. There is plenty here to interest and encourage intermediate players, especially on the rhythmical front.  It is a re-publication of 1977, and well worth the revival.

Paul Clark, The Recorder Magazine, Summer 1999