So soll ich dich verlassen (S/T) (Hensel), Sprich, o sprich (S/T), Suleika (S/T) (Goethe),
In der stillen Mitternacht (S/Bar) (J.G.Herder)

Fanny Hensel wrote the duets over a period of 16 years – that is, during her entire creative period. They represent a genre of different types of forms: 1. the unaccompanied folk duet, (to be sung outdoors), 2. the lyrical, piano-accompanied duet (to be set in the intimate setting of domestic music-making), 3. or the dramatic scene for concert and (imaginary) stage. The duet as an occasion for the confrontation of two characters and the musical realization of a dramatic conflict obviously inspired the composer in particular. Here she succeeded in compositions that are unique in the duet literature of the 19th century.

It is remarkable that the composer’s understanding of the concept of the duet is far more complex than others in her time. The desire to illuminate as many aspects of singing in two voices as possible and to create musical scenes with a special sense for dramatic events also distinguishes her from her brother Felix.