The Six Sonatas for Two Violins, op. 5, by Pierre Gaviniés, are notable examples of a genre that was utilized in France by violinist-composers, both native and foreign, from the beginning of the second quarter of the eighteenth century. Like his Sonatas for Violin and Basso Continuo, op. 1 (vol. 43 in this series), these sonatas feature elements of both late-baroque and high classical musical styles. Each of the sonatas contains three movements that show traits of the Classical sonata-allegro form. These sonatas, titled duetti in the separate violin parts, give equal treatment to both violins.
Duetto I
Allegretto
Adagio
Allegro assai
Duetto II
Allegro comodo
Andante un poco adagio
Allegro assai
Duetto III
Allegro moderato e cantabile
Andante ma un poco adagio
Allegretto e grazioso
Duetto IV
Allegro assai
Andante un poco adagio e cantabile
Allegro molto
Duetto V
Allegro
Andante un poco adagio
Allegretto ma grazioso
Duetto VI
Allegro cantabile
Andante un poco adagio
Prestissimo