The Four Duets for Flute and Bassoon was commissioned in 1982 by flutist Jeanne Baxstresser and bassoonist David Carroll.

Duet No. 1: Andante Marcato - Adagio - Andante - Marcato - Adagio
Written in a ABAB form, the robustly rhythmical Andante alternates with a slower, expressive Adagio.

Duet No. 2: Allegro
This is a fast moving piece of happy mood.

Duet No. 3: Adagio
This is a melancholic two part invention. The opening bar in the bassoon which comes back several times during the duet reminds the composer of  a slow, lazily moving Venetian gondola.

Duet No. 4: Allegro Giocoso
This is a fast happy finale. It exploits to full extent the big range of five octaves between the lowest note of the bassoon and the highest note of the flute. The quick changes of register in the flute part almost gives the impression, in some places, that two flutes are involved.