Friedrich August Kummer (1797-1879) came from a family of musicians, studied violoncello with the renowned solo cellist Friedrich Dotzauer of the Dresden Court Chapel and then worked as a cellist first at the Royal Opera House, later at the Dresden Court Chapel. Kummer composed of course for 'his' instrument as well, writing not only a cello method, but also a large number of performance pieces. To prevent any trouble with difficult works, his works also include numerous studies and easy pieces such as '12 Duets for 2 Violoncellos' Op. 105. They are one-movement pieces which demand cantabile and concertante playing at a moderate level of difficulty and are the ideal introduction to chamber music playing.