Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 125 (Lee)
Movements
3 movements
Notes
Sebastian Lee (1805-1887), born in Hamburg, began touring as a cellist at the age of 25, touring throughout Western Europe, including London and Paris. For several years, he was principal cellist in the orchestra of the Grande Opera Paris. From 1837 to 1868, he worked in the same city as a music teacher and composer. During this time, he composed some of his etudes, which are still familiar to almost every cello student today. By the time of his death—he had returned to Hamburg—he had composed well over 100 works—along with cello studies and primarily duo and trio works for string instruments.
One of his last compositions is the Duo op. 125 in B-flat major for violin and cello presented here; an overall graceful and cheerful work with a wonderfully cantabile, slow second movement, framed by two faster, rhythmically concise outer movements.
