I wrote the individual pieces of the Twelve duo between 1987 and 1989. In 1987, five movements were performed under the title Five Two-Part Compositions, others were part of the music for a chamber ballet (Lear), which I wrote for Imre Eck in 1988. A few similar pieces were also released as the soundtrack to a television film about Pál Deim (Anxious Silence, 1988, directed by Tamás B. Farkas). I compiled the series from these, with some additions. The final concert version differs from its predecessors mainly in emphasizing the closed character of each number: even movements that otherwise seem to belong together function as independent, so it is desirable that the performers take a break of sufficient length between each movement and turn the page. Each piece is based on the principles of early polyphony, a kind of punctus contra punctum, where the unison and opposition of the voices are still present with equal force. This can be facilitated if the two players stand as far apart as possible (László Vidovszky) (BMC CD 075)