Hugo Schlemüller (1872-1919), pianist, teacher and music writer, taught violoncello in the preparatory school of Dr. Hoch's Conservatoire in Frankfurt. During this time, he wrote numerous works for violoncello lessons for beginners, among them the easy performance pieces Op. 12.
The pieces with piano accompaniment are playable in the first close position throughout and are suitable for students at the end of the first year of training who also wish to master a few little musically demanding challenges from time to time.