PLEYEL – Duo Sonatina D Major, Op.48 No.1 – TWO CELLOS

Other Identification:
The six duets, Op.48, were published around 1796/97 by Pleyel’s own publishing house both as ‘Six Duos faciles et progressives for two violins’ and as ‘Six nouvelles Sonatines progressives for piano and violin’, though we do not know today which came first. The violin duets are still widely used not only in violin lessons, but also for making music at home. Though lesser-known today, around 1800 Ignaz Pleyel numbered among the most popular composers in Western Europe – as one might see from these very appealing pieces. Other versions also exist, such as for piano quintet with flute & strings.
Ignaz Joseph Pleyel was born in Ruppersthal (Lower Austria) on 18th June, 1757, but is generally included among the French composers of the classical period for carrying out almost all of his work in France and even adopting French nationality. His original name was Ignaz Pleyl, son of a school teacher, organist and sacristan. His music teacher Vanhal sent him to Haydn to expand his musical knowledge. In 1782, aged 25, he published his first string quartet. In 1784 he was appointed musical director of the Strasbourg cathedral, and became the kapellmeister there in 1789. The previous year, 1788, Pleyel had married Françoise-Gabrielle Lefebvre, the daughter of a Strasbourg weaver. The couple had four children, the eldest being their son Camille. Marie Moke (1811-1875), the wife of Camille, was one of the most famous pianists of her time.
Pleyel took an active part in the French Revolution, so much so that it is believed that he was the true creator of the music of La Marseillaise. However, important problems with the new regime made him exile to England. In 1795 he settled permanently in Paris, creating a music publishing house in 1797 (the Maison Pleyel) and the famous Pleyel piano factory. His son Camille, became a partner in his father’s piano company in 1815, and subsequently created two concert halls; in 1830 a hall with 150 seats and finally, from 1838, a concert hall with 500 seats near the Pleyel factory. It is the famous Salle Pleyel, still today one of the most consecrated places in the musical life of Paris.
The composer passed away in 1831, four years after Beethoven and three after Schubert. By contrast with these two musical giants, Pleyel’s music is considered somewhat conservative, who does not advance much from the innovations of Haydn. Not only that, but he showed little interest in Beethoven’s newer works and the general romantic music emerging in his own time. He was, however, prolific – there are 41 Pleyel symphonies known, in addition to 6 concertante symphonies.