Duet for Two Cats, Rossini/Snell. Cornet and Trombone. Piano Accompaniment

Duet for Two Cats, Rossini/Snell. Cornet and Trombone. Piano Accompaniment

It is said that Rossini wrote this piece late in life while remembering the romantic exploits of his youth, when he used cat meows, in imitation of feline courting, to call his beloved to their nocturnal trysts. Whether true or not, this little piece can be used to great effect with audiences. 

If the soloists memorise their music, they can begin to play while offstage, even from the back of the hall behind the audience, gradually converging on the stage to arrive together the bar before letter b. This situation gives the opportunity for talented performers to play and act the parts very freely, turning the Duet into a theatrical programme item. 

The following points will be of interest to conductors and soloists: 
The preferred solo pairing is a Cornet as first soloist with the second part taken by the trombone. 
Otherwise the second solo part can be played by another cornet or flugel horn. 
Both instruments should use the wah-wah effect to the full, in order to imitate the meowing of cats. 
If possible the whole of the Band accompaniment should be muted, but the Bb basses in particular can be played open. If it is necessary the band can play unmuted from the Baritones downwards.