The Twelve Original Pieces for Two Cellos, dedicated to beginners, Op. 63, by J. J. F. Dotzauer (1783—1860) is a most colourful collection, containing a spicy mix of arias from famous operas, original themes, and fugues. The arias are mostly from W. A. Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito, and G. Rossini’s Tancredi, with a theme and variation from The Magic Flute crowning them all. Even without employing the thumb, these pieces are challenging, and should not be underestimated. They explor...