Learn what beautiful pieces can be played by a violin and cello duet.

Among the instruments in the violin family, the violin and cello are the most well-known and have the most repertoire available. The violin is perfect for playing the main melodies and has a clear, high-pitched and loud sound that stands out. The cello, with its more mellow tone, is great for accompaniment or enhancing the sound of an ensemble and when given a melody, its unique timbre can bring an audience to tears.

Teaming just these two instruments together for a duo and composing a piece for them is not that common. More often, you will see famous pieces being arranged for violin and cello. This is challenging for a composer because a lot of the harmonies and textures usually provided by a second violin, viola or piano have to be covered by only two lead instruments. It also means that the violinist and cellist have to provide more variety of sound. All this hasn’t stopped several composers from providing some amazing music! Let’s take a look at some of them here. Below, you will find 12 beautiful pieces, listed according to difficulty, so you and a friend or a family member can easily pick the ones that fit your level.

Easy Violin and Cello Duets

In this section, I would like to share with you sheet music for the easiest pieces that can be played by violinist and cellist.

Johann Pachelbel – Canon in D

A very famous piece of music that is often played at weddings. This was originally composed for three violins and basso continuo, so you can play the first violin and your fellow cellist the continuo part.

Check out my separate post about Canon in D to learn more about the origins of this piece and get some tips on how to play it.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – 12 Horn Duos

These were, as the name suggests, composed for two horns. However, there is an arrangement by Mozart himself for two violins and there are also arrangements for violin and viola. The cello and viola have the same strings (with a one-octave difference), so the two instruments have a common repertoire. Although the alto clef is mainly used for the viola, the cello does use both the bass and alto clefs, so this can be good practice in reading it!

Intermediate Violin & Cello Duos

There are more original pieces for intermediate students. Here are some interesting pieces that you can try:

Anton Dvořák – Humoresque Op. 101, No. 7 in D major

Written for piano, this is a piece that is often played by string instruments. It’s a bit challenging due to the syncopation.

Be careful! Play at a slow tempo first to synchronize it perfectly.

Here you can download the arrangement of Humoresque for violin and cello by Hana Lee:

Johan Halvorsen – Passacaglia for Violin and Viola

While this was originally written for violin and viola as the name suggests, there’s an arrangement for violin and cello. Halvorsen was a Norwegian composer, conductor, and violinist. This work is based on a theme by Händel and is one of Halvorsen’s most well-known works. Beware of the dotted double stops in the beginning, and try to have a very clear tone and good intonation in the eight “molto energico” measures.

Reinhold Glière – 8 Pieces, Op.39

Glière is a Soviet composer known for his folk influences. These eight pieces are not very difficult but explore the dynamics of the two instruments in a fascinating way. You as the violinist need to look out for the double stops, while the cello player should pay attention to playing a very clear tone on the 16th notes.

Jean Sibelius – Canon for Violin and Cello

A small composition that Sibelius probably composed for himself and his brother, who was a cellist. This piece was probably never performed in public during his lifetime. A beautiful canon that is not very difficult but is very interesting to learn.

Johann Sebastian Bach – 4 Duettos

Originally for the keyboard, the two hands can be separated into two instruments and there is a well-known arrangement for violin and cello. While Bach is never easy, these duos are good for intermediate students, especially those who would like to explore the Baroque repertoire in more depth. There are many quick notes, so remember to practice very slowly before speeding up.

Advanced Duos for Violin and Cello

The pieces in this section are probably the most well-known from the list and demand a full understanding of all techniques, as well as a lot of musicality.

Joseph Haydn – String Duo in D major

A very interesting duo, Haydn’s string duo is an important part of the chamber music repertoire. A majestic adagio that needs a lot of elegance, a minuet that needs clear sound and knowledge of the different positions, and a very melodic allegro that requires a lot of finesse.

Maurice Ravel – Sonata for Violin and Cello

Maybe the most beautiful of all violin and cello duos, Maurice Ravel dedicated this sonata to Claude Debussy after his death. The influences of Debussy are maybe more than obvious, and that is part of the point. This is one for experienced players only.

Heitor Villa-Lobos – 2 Chôros Bis

Johannes Brahms – Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra, Op.102

This is probably the best of the violin and cello duos – indeed, some say it’s the “holy grail” of such duos. The double concerto appeared in the Baroque era, shortly after the concerto, so several Baroque and classical composers have written in this form of composition. Concertos always need a great understanding of all techniques, as well as more musical abilities. This is the most challenging duet on the list, but I hope it will inspire you to learn the violin more and more!

Zoltán Kodály – Duo for Violin and Cello, Op.7

Kodály, along with Béla Bartók, was a pioneer in combining folk music with classical composition. They both extensively researched the Hungarian folksong. This piece is very heartfelt and lyrical, and I hope you enjoy it whether just listening to it or playing with your fellow cellist.

FAQ

Can you play cello music on the violin?

Cello music can be played on the violin only if it has been transposed from the bass clef to the treble clef, taking into account the range of these instruments. Change of the key signature might be also needed for easier fingering.

What do violins and cellos have in common?

Violin and cellos have several features in common: the overall shape of the instrument, they both have four strings, they are played with a bow, they do not have frets, and they are in the same family of instruments – the violin family or the bowed string family.

How can I practice a duet?

You should start practicing a duet by learning your own part, up to the point where you feel comfortable with the music. Then, together with your partner, you should start practicing the piece slowly. If synchronization is difficult, turn on a metronome. When it goes well, gradually increase the tempo.

It also helps to listen to other performances to get even more familiar with the music. Moreover, you can try reading the other player’s music to make sure you are synchronized.

Bonus tip: manage your volume when playing in a duet or a band

You should not play so loud that you drown out your partner or band, but also do not play so quietly that they do the same to you. You have to learn how to balance your sound as a group that sounds as one. Normally, you should be able to hear everyone clearly, including yourself. Your instrument will always sound a bit louder since it is closer to your ear, but if you’re not hearing the other person at certain times, you might be playing too loud. To work on this, try recording yourselves and see how it sounds.