Double Duo was composed in April 2001. It was commissioned by Margaret Grimsdell for the unusual combination of violin, viola and two cellos. I decided to compose it in such a way that it would also be performable with two violins and two cellos; violin, two violas and cello; or even the conventional string quartet combination (two violins, viola, cello!). Basically, this means that the upper of the two middle parts can be played on violin or viola, while the lower of the two middle parts can be played on viola or cello. As its title implies, the four instruments mostly play in pairs throughout. Usually, it is the two upper parts ?versus? the two lower but occasionally partnerships shift around to retain the interest of both the performers and hopefully, the audience!