Hungaraton Classic's two-disc collection of the violin and viola duets of Mozart and Michael Haydn represents the first time these six works have been recorded as a single set. Significant? Definitely. As the wonderfully detailed liner notes delineate in great detail, Michael Haydn was in fact commissioned to compose a set of six duos but because of failing health was unable to complete it. None other than his friend Mozart stepped in and penned the final two duets and allowed Haydn to use them to complete the commission. From key selection to his treatment of the two instruments, it is obvious that Mozart took great care to make his two contributions fit in with the four of Haydn. Still, differences can be heard, particularly in the somewhat more soloistic use of the viola. All six are delightful gems of chamber music and it is quite rewarding to have all of them together as they should be. Violinist
Barnabás Kelemen and violist Katalin Kokas each have extensive and impressive lists of accolades to their credit. In general, their performance of these six duets is quite strong, but there are occasional and noticeable blemishes along the way. Intonation, while usually consistent, becomes derailed at times as the
Kelemen enters the upper registers. Sound quality from both musicians is extremely robust and powerful, so much so that some listeners may find it too forced for a performance of Mozart and Michael Haydn.