Ian Deterling

Duet in D-Flat Major, Op. 15

Duet D-Flat Major (flexible instrumentation)-high.gif

Duet in D-Flat Major, Op. 15 (2020)

  • flexible instrumentation

  • ca. 12:00

    • Full of noble fanfares, leery meanderings, and unexpected turns around harmonic corners, Duet in D-Flat Major is a mini musical universe that has the grandeur of an orchestra with just two voices.

Score/Parts Preview PDFs

Customized Scores

Score Video

Program Notes

Duet in D-Flat Major was written in what could perhaps be best described as a burst of inspiration. After a couple of days of casually juggling some motifs around in my mind,  something clicked and I scrambled to write down everything as quickly as possible. I spent the majority of that day developing these ideas, and this became what is now the third movement. Some of the ‘leftover ideas’ that didn’t make it into the finale were used as seeds for the second movement - in particular, the motifs at measure 9 and from 70-80. I ended up writing the opening movement last, and it begins with a noble fanfare in 6/16. The second movement cautiously meanders through unexpected harmonies, much like someone nervously exploring unfamiliar places. The finale is another fanfare, but has some mischievous fun after turning a few harmonic corners in minor. My goal with this duet was to create a musical universe that has the grandeur of an orchestra with just two voices.  

I’ve adapted this duet for a variety of instruments. The score reads as a small flex-band ensemble, but this piece is intended to be performed by just two musicians.

  • Individual parts included:

    • Part 1

      • Clarinet in Bb

      • Alto Clarinet

      • Bass Clarinet

      • Bassoon

      • Alto Saxophone

      • Tenor Saxophone

      • Baritone Saxophone

      • Trumpet in Bb

      • Horn in F

      • Alto Trombone

      • Euphonium

      • Euphonium T.C.

    • Part 2

      • Bass Clarinet

      • Bassoon

      • Baritone Saxophone

      • Trombone

      • Bass Trombone

      • Euphonium

      • Euphonium T.C.

      • Tuba

All scores are available as digital downloads (PDFs)

  • You’ll be automatically emailed a link to where you can download a PDF of the score and parts.

Links to Score Videos

Note: links in bold are available; links that are not in bold will be made available in the near future.