Ludwig van Beethoven
Duo No. 2 WoO 27, arranged for Horn and Flute
(Original for clarinet and bassoon)
Beethoven's Duo No. 2 in F major for clarinet and bassoon is part of a collection of three duos without an opus number, which also includes duos in C major (ROM 007) and B flat major (ROM 420). As it is an occasional composition, neither its exact date nor the occasion of its origin has been documented; no autograph or contemporary copy survives. The earliest surviving prints did not appear until after Beethoven's death, around 1830, published by André in Offenbach — presumably reprints of a lost French first edition said to have appeared around 1815, according to a contemporary publisher's catalogue.
This arrangement for horn and flute is intended to expand the relatively rare repertoire of duos with horn. The original key has been retained: the horn plays in a middle to low register and can alternatively be performed on Wagner tuba. The flute part can, if needed, be replaced by oboe or violin.
