Mazas: Elementary Duets, Op. 86: Violin Book

These nine duets hit the sweet spot between early-intermediate and intermediate study: the writing is idiomatic and expressive without requiring advanced positions or excessive vibrato, making them genuinely satisfying to play rather than merely functional. They work equally well as festival material, lesson repertoire, or chamber music for young duos ready to move beyond unison work into genuine two-part writing.

Elegant without pretension. The writing flows naturally across the instrument, and the harmonic language, rooted in Classical forms but tinged with Romantic warmth, makes these feel more like miniature chamber works than technical studies. Each duet unfolds with clear musical intention and genuine melodic appeal.

Young violinists in the early-intermediate to intermediate range (roughly grades 3-5) who are ready to play true duets with a partner rather than simply doubling parts. These works suit students preparing for youth orchestra auditions, string ensemble festivals, or studio recitals, and they appeal equally to music teachers building duet libraries for private instruction.

• Balance the lines by listening to which voice carries the melody in each phrase; even though both parts are written musically, clarity emerges when the upper voice projects slightly and the lower voice supports without overwhelming it.
• Practice separate parts first at tempo to establish secure intonation in each voice, then add the partner; these duets expose tuning issues immediately since there is nowhere to hide.
• Use the natural phrasing and articulation markings as guides for breathing and bow direction; Mazas' slurs indicate his intentions about line shape and character.

Program one duet as a chamber music feature on a studio recital or youth orchestra concert, or use multiple duets across a season as milestones that mark your students' progress through early-intermediate repertoire. They also work beautifully in a mixed-level ensemble concert when you pair experienced younger students with advanced ones.

• Listening and matching intonation with a partner
• Balancing two independent melodic lines
• Reading and executing articulation markings for musical shape
• Sustaining musical interest over longer phrases without relying on technical display
• Navigating shifts and position changes within an ensemble context