Margaret Boswell 8 duos for Two Violins

8 Duets for Two Violins – Margaret Boswell Senyshyn (2019)
Recorded live at Attacca School of Music‪@attaccaschoolofmusic‬ on November 16, 2025
Filmed by Earth Lukas Production (‪@earthlukasproduction‬)

Performers:
Liubomyr Senyshyn – Violin I
Kevin A. Lefohn – Violin II (‪@kevinlefohn‬ )

Composer:
Margaret Boswell Senyshyn (‪@thecuriouspiano‬)

About the Work
8 Duets for Two Violins is a collection of short character pieces, each highlighting a distinct technical and expressive capability of the violin. Written in 2019, the set explores color, articulation, resonance, and the instrument’s vocal and percussive qualities through a wide range of violin techniques and musical characters.

Movements & Techniques

I. Grave (00:02- 01:34) — with mutes (con sordino)
Both violins are played con sordino, meaning each player attaches a small mute to the bridge. This softens and darkens the tone, creating a veiled, intimate sound.

II. Scherzo / Lento ( 01:35-03:15) — pizzicato chords, sul ponticello
Pizzicato requires the players to pluck the strings with the fingers, producing a crisp, percussive sound. Sul ponticello directs the bow to play near the bridge, creating a shimmering, glassy, and sometimes eerie timbre.

III. Moderato (03:16-04:12)— perpetual motion & character range
This duet highlights contrast: one violin maintains a strict continuous rhythm, while the other shifts suddenly in volume, tone, and personality, exploring the violin’s wide expressive range.

IV. Plainsong (04:14- 05:48) — senza vibrato
Inspired by chant-like singing, this movement is played senza vibrato, meaning without the typical left-hand vibrato. The resulting straight tone is pure, focused, and almost vocal.

V. Gigue (05:49-06:31) — spiccato
Light, dance-like, and rhythmic, this duet highlights spiccato, a technique in which the bow lightly bounces on the string, creating a lively character reminiscent of Baroque gigues.

VI. Lament ( 06:35-09:37)— lyricism & harmonics
A movement of longing and space, the Lament blends long, singing lines with violin harmonics—delicate, flute-like pitches produced by lightly touching the string at specific nodal points.

VII. March (09:39-10:33)— G-string timbre
Here the violins focus on the rich, resonant color of their lowest string, the G string. Its darker timbre adds weight and gravitas to the march-like rhythm.

VIII. Impromptu (10:36-12:30) — freedom & trills
This closing duet features flashes of trills—quick alternating notes that add brilliance and sparkle. Its main melody was inspired by a small tune improvised by Liubomyr Senyshyn, reflecting the violin’s free and improvisatory nature. The piece concludes in unison, echoing the ending of the first movement and bringing the cycle full circle.

Find out more about the performers here:
https://www.liubomyrsenyshyn.com/
https://www.kevinlefohn.com/
https://www.attaccaschoolofmusic.com/...