Instrumental Duet Bassoon,Instrumental Duet - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1097228 Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. Arranged by Ray Thompson. Classical. Score and parts. 12 pages. RayThompsonMusic #701184. Published by RayThompsonMusic (A0.1097228). Translated as (Duet with Two Obligato Eyeglasses) or k/a The Obligato/Eyeglass Duo. Originally composed for viola/cello duet it is arranged here for bassoon duet. This arrangement is of of Mvt.I Allegro ONLY Mvt II Minuetto is also available on this site. This duet for viola and cello from 1796-1797 is believed to have been written for Beethoven's longtime frind, Baron Nikolaus Zmeskall. The Baron was an accomplished cellist, and Beethoven had played the viola back in Bonn. Both men wore spectacles at times, which is believed to be the genesis of the curious name. Apparently Beethoven wrote Zmeskall a letter containing these lines: Dearest Baron Garbage-truck driver, I am obliged to you for the weakness of your eyes. Perhaps Zmeskall lent Beethven his eyeglasses. Who knows? One thing is certain: the piece exudes a sense of sheer playfulness, similar in spirit (if not style) to Mozart's Duo for Violin and Viola in B-Flat. Arranged here for bassoon duet. I have changed the octaves in both parts in certain bars to suit the bassoon's range, and to avoid overlap. I have obviously removed the chords in the original viola part, which is now bsn 1, and somtrimes given the lower note in the chord to bsn 2 to give a better balance. Bsn 1 plays top Bb once I have NOT simply lowered the viola part an Octave, which you may find elsewhere. I have also simplified the tricky semi-quaver (sixteenth notes) broken chords passages. It suits the bassoon duet.
