Six Sonatas for Violin and Viola Hob. VI:1?6-The title ?Solo per il Violino? which Haydn gave these sonatas in his ?Entwurf-Katalog? (the handwritten catalogue he maintained of his own works) already gives us an indication: it is only the Violinwhich is treated as a solo instrument in these six sonatas the Viola has an accompanying role. Haydn might have written these ?soli? for himself; but they also might have been for Luigi Tomasini the ?first violinist? atEsterházy?s court. Today these duos enjoy great popularity particularly for teaching purposes. We are now proud to present the definitive Henle edition following the text in the Complete Edition of Haydn?s Works withthe addition of specially composed cadenzas.

Around 1800 Beethoven seems to have completely distanced himself from chamber music for wind. In letters to his publisher we read that he did not have any particular regard for his Septet op. 20 and the Sextet op. 71; furthermore he did not write any new works for wind ensembles.By contrast he ennobled his Trio op. 87 originally for two oboes and cor anglais by making an additional version for two violins and viola. This charming work ispublished following the Urtext in the Beethoven Complete Edition and is a welcome addition to the repertoire for these instruments for which a great deal has not otherwise been composed.