Duo for Flute and Clarinet in A
Opus 2 – 1947
The Duo for Flute and Clarinet, Op. 2, was composed in 1947, while Mr. Roy was a student in Walter Piston’s composition seminar at Harvard University. The work was an assignment to strengthen one’s hand in counterpoint. “Write something for two melody instruments,” Mr. Piston requested, “without pedal.” The finished assignment received what might be considered a high accolade from Mr. Piston: “Not bad; not bad.”
The first movement is in an abbreviated sonata form. The second is a strict canon at the octave. The third is a fugue, and again represents a requirement by Mr. Piston. When questioned whether a fugue was not rather too serious a medium for these instruments, he countered by saying, “well, then, write a funny one.”
Published more than 30 years after its composition, the Duo has had numerous performances, and may be particularly useful for recitals in colleges and conservatories. The dedication is to Edward Diemente, a fellow student, composer and colleague of Mr. Roy’s.