Haydn, M: Duo in C major, MH 335 (P. 127)

The Duos for Violin and Viola by Mozart have long been favourite pieces of ours – pieces we'd take out and play when there wasn't a keyboard player or cellist to hand, or busk as teenagers to earn extra pocket money. Back then, the audience's response clearly indicated how appealing these pieces were as our takings always doubled when we played them! These works never cease to amaze – Mozart uses the two instruments so effectively and with such exquisite craftsmanship that he never leaves one wondering where the rest of the string quartet might have gone….They are also hugely engaging to play and so endlessly rich and interesting that the appeal to the listener is guaranteed.

Mozart's reference to other genres is always fascinating. In this case the writing is dramatic, operatic even (the violin taking the role as soprano diva (!) and the viola as the heroic tenor?!). One could perhaps go as far to say that these duos are distillations of the art of chamber music as in the Haydn quartets, but more naturally recreational and less self-conscious. For a violist they are about as exposed as you can be; hitherto very few sonatas or con certi had been written for solo viola - and the accompaniment would seldom have been as scant as a single violin. The conversational and imitative nature of the writing allows for freedom and characterization, and it was refreshing and rewarding to be as spon taneous as possible in the recording sessions.

It was also a diverting and enjoyable experience to record two of the Michael Haydn duos, previously unknown to us both. The character of these pieces is often reminiscent of Austrian folk music and it really seems as if you can hear the yodelling vernacular bouncing off the mountains in timely echoes. The challenges in these works are quite different to those of his friend Wolfgang – the demands placed on the violinist are obvious as the writing is busy, yet in need of a casual fluidity, whereas the violist has the task of being constantly inventive with material which is largely accompanimental (melody and bass, in effect). Who knows? Maybe Wolfgang and Michael tried these out during Mozart's visit to Salzburg when he helped his friend complete a set of six Sonatas in 1783.

Outstanding performances by Maya Magub and Judith Busbridge of Michael Haydn's (brother of Joseph) four duos for violin and viola, with the two composed as a favour by his friend, W A Mozart, when Michael Haydn had become too ill to complete the original commisssion for the six duos.

Thomas Zehetmair is one of the most significant violinists of his generation. He enjoys a successful international career thrilling audiences and critics with his abilities as a soloist, chamber musician and conductor.

As violinist Thomas Zehetmair is a regular guest of the most renowned European and American orchestras as well as leading conductors of the day. He dedicates a large part of his artistic activities to contemporary music and has a second career as a conductor as well as working with leading chamber musicians such as Pierre-Laurent Aimard.

Thomas Zehetmair has recorded nearly the entire violin repertoire on CD, more recently on a number of different labels but in the early part of his career in the 1990’s he made many recordings for Teldec as celebrated in this box set.