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 Richard Strauss’s Duet‑Concertino for Clarinet, Bassoon, Strings, and Harp, TrV 293, was completed on 16 December 1947 in Montreux and represents one of his final purely instrumental works. Scored for solo clarinet and bassoon alongside a chamber string orchestra divided into “soli” and “tutti” sections plus harp, the piece preserves the antiphonal spirit of Baroque concerto grosso. Strauss assigns the clarinet and bassoon complementary roles: the clarinet often sings with lyrical warmth, while the bassoon offers a darker, more grounded voice, their interplay framed by transparent string textures and shimmering harp punctuations.

Stylistically, the Duet‑Concertino blends late‑Romantic lyricism with neoclassical balance. The first movement introduces playful exchanges and thematic dialogue; the brief Andante serves as a bridge with subdued, pastoral calm; and the final Rondo recaptures energetic dance‑like rhythms in the spirit of his Oboe Concerto. Throughout, precise ensemble balance and clear contrapuntal lines are essential to highlight both soloists against the lightly scored accompaniment.