This week, we take a look at a very simple work with a more unique structure. Paul Wetzger was an accomplished flautist who lived from 1870-1937. While mostly known for his work as a performer, Wetzger did write a few pieces that survive, mostly for flute as one would expect. His work Avant et Retour (Forward and Backwards) is a very simple work that can be played by a duet of treble instruments, be it flutes, oboes, clarinets or violins.

Avant et Retour is a variation on a mirror canon - one in which the voices perform in inversion or retrograde. Bach's A Musical Offering contains the most famous mirror canon, performed in inversion, however Wetzger gives us a mirror canon in retrograde inversion!

Wetzger gives us two movements in this simple, yet complex work. The first movement, marked Tempo di Vals, is easily playable by most student musicians. The steady tempo, with some excitement added by 16th notes, rarely moves out of the range of a young musician and gives the fun of playing together in a unique format. A digital realization of this first movement is included in the video above.

The second movement, marked Tempo di Polka, is a bit more challenging, but still approachable for the student musician. While the range of this movement is more constrained, Wetzger includes more dramatic dynamics and articulations that present more of a challenge, along with the faster tempo.

As we enter the holidays, these works are a great way for family members to play together, regardless of the instrument they play. Beyond family gatherings, as those of you who are teachers plan works for your students during contest season, this unique work would be great for a pair of students entering a duet competition!