Equivalent duo partners

Louis Théodore Gouvy was born in Goffontaine (today: Schafbrücke [Saarbrücken]) in the Franco-German border region in 1819 and died in Leipzig in 1898. He lived alternately in France and Germany and found artistic recognition in both countries. His compositional oeuvre includes symphonies, chamber music, an opera, songs and vocal symphonic works.

The ten character pieces for violoncello and piano op. 28, written in 1859, were published under the supertitle Décaméron. These are all duo compositions that treat the piano and cello equally. They can be performed both cyclically and as individual numbers and offer the performers a varied palette of moods.

The level of difficulty is medium. The rediscovery of this romantic cycle is an enrichment for instrumentalists and listeners alike.

Louis Théodore Gouvy: Décaméron for violoncello and piano, edited by Wolfgang Birtel, Volume 1: PON 1035; Volume 2: PON 1036; € 19.95 each, Ponticello Edition, Mainz