Though I consider myself to be primarily a jazz performer, classical music - above all instrumental baroque music and Viennese Classicism - have always been very important to me. For quite a long time, particular elements characterizing these styles of music have occasionally been integrated in some of my jazz compositions. With these pieces, I am now presenting my very first purely classically inspired compositions for 2 woodwind instruments. The duets have been designed as both performance pieces as well as educational music for teaching ensemble playing. I have not intended composing music of a certain style, but have rather used and integrated various elements out of my overall experience as an active listener of music. The repetitions indicated should be played on principle in order to maintain the proportions of the pieces. This edition for 2 clarinets is not compatible with the edition for alto and tenor saxophone. Claus Koch, December 2007