Jacques-Christian-Michel Widerkehr was born in Strasbourg in 1759 and moved to Paris in 1783. Initially a cellist, his name appears as a bassoonist in 1790 and as a trombonist in the orchestra of the Theatre Comique in 1797.

He wrote a number of works for wind instruments, including 12-15 concertante symphonies for wind soloists in various combinations with an orchestra, many of which have unfortunately been lost.

This duo-sonata was published by Erard in Paris in 1817, six years before his death. The title at the time was “Trois/Duos/pour Piano et Violon ou Hautbois/(la partie de Hautbois peut se jouer par une Clarinette)/par/J. Widerkehr/1 livre.” [Three duets for piano and violin or oboe (the oboe part can also be played by a clarinet)]. This last instruction seems to be the suggestion of the editor at the time. In fact, the entire composition is precisely in the oboe’s best register.