Tarantella, Op. 23 for Cello Duet: Conductor Score & Parts

Squire's Tarantella is a contest favorite precisely because it rewards clear phrasing and rhythmic precision in a piece that sounds flashy without requiring superhuman technique. Drake's duet arrangement solves a genuine rehearsal problem: two cellists can perform it with confidence and musical equality, each part genuinely interesting rather than one sitting passively underneath.

The tarantella is all restless energy and folk vitality, with the characteristic rapid, spinning rhythms that suggest dancing rather than sitting still. Squire's writing sits right at the intersection of lyrical and propulsive, letting you phrase generously while keeping the underlying rhythm sharp and alive.

Cellists at the upper intermediate level who are ready for contest or recital repertoire but thrive when given a collaborative partner rather than piano accompaniment. Teachers looking for duet literature that stretches both players equally and maintains genuine musical interest across both parts will find this arrangement essential.

• Establish the pulse together before the tarantella rhythm takes over; this dance needs an unshakeable foundation beneath its surface energy.
• Balance the two parts by ear throughout, since neither cello should dominate. The writing asks for dialogue, not soloist-plus-accompaniment.
• Shape the tarantella's characteristic rhythmic figures with clean attacks and releases; muddiness kills the piece's inherent drive.
• Find the tempo that lets both players manage the sixteenth-note passages comfortably while still maintaining the dance's infectious momentum.

Perfect for a student recital where you want chamber music without the complications of piano coordination, or for a duet competition that calls for a showpiece with real musical substance. It also works well nestled among solo repertoire as a change of pace that highlights collaborative skills.

• Ensemble intonation and balance in duet texture
• Rhythmic precision in tarantella-style sixteenth-note figurations
• Phrasing awareness when sharing melodic responsibility with another voice
• Lyrical playing that maintains forward motion without dragging
• Navigating key and position shifts at Grade 3½ difficulty