Isidore Philipp

Isidore Philipp is counted among the leading French pianists of the first half of the 20th century. His contributions as a renowned teacher, nurturing many successors, are also significant. In addition to his activities in performance and education, his diverse work included composition, arrangement, compilation, editing, and fingering of existing pieces, and writing pedagogical works. It is noteworthy that his compositions and arrangements for piano duo are substantial in both quantity and quality. His arrangements for two pianos number over 60 published scores alone. Philipp maintained a close relationship with two pianos throughout his life. Beginning with his stage debut at the young age of 12 in 1875, performing Saint-Saëns's two-piano work, he frequently collaborated with master-level elders and young peers during his youth. From his middle age onwards, he increasingly partnered with his students. When he recorded Saint-Saëns's Scherzo (Op. 87) with Marcelle Herrenschmidt in 1939, Philipp was 76 years old. Philipp's two-piano arrangements were written for his own performance activities and for the education of his students, and they comprise masterpieces that combine both practicality and artistry.

Borodin: Petite Suite

Petite Suite is one of Borodin's representative works among his few piano solo compositions. Dedicated to the prominent Belgian art patron Countess Mercy-Argenteau, it also serves as a testament to the strong ties between "The Five" and Western Europe at the time. Glazunov's orchestral arrangement is also well-known. In Philipp's two-piano arrangement, "Intermezzo" and "Mazurka in C major" are omitted, tightening the overall structure. Otherwise, it is largely based on the original piano solo version, while also being eclectic in parts, considering Glazunov's version. Placing "Scherzo," originally a piano piece unrelated to Petite Suite, as the final movement follows Glazunov's version, but unlike Glazunov, Philipp does not incorporate "Nocturne" into the middle section of "Scherzo," maintaining the independence of the two pieces. The melancholic, oriental charm of the slow movements and the refined demeanor and fleeting passion of the Mazurka captivate the listener. The nuances of the original work are further deepened by the two pianos. And the nostalgic Serenade is truly the highlight of the suite. As night falls over the desolate steppe, a sweet melody of love gently flows, accompanied by the strumming of a balalaika. This unique emotion, which resonates with the tragically beautiful chant of Polovtsian Dances, is undoubtedly the true essence of Borodin's style. While the original piece possesses a unique melancholic charm and a subtle sense of desolation, it is somewhat difficult to program for recitals. Philipp's two-piano version respects the delicate qualities of the original while also incorporating the grandeur of Glazunov's version, transforming it into a splendid work suitable for concert repertoire. It is dedicated to the composer and publisher René Vielleville.

• 1. Au Couvent (In the Convent) Andante religioso 4/4 time C-sharp minor
• 2. Rêverie (Reverie) Andante 4/4 time F-sharp major
• 3. Mazurka Allegretto 3/4 time D-flat major
• 4. Nocturne Andantino 4/4 time G-flat major
• 5. Sérénade (Serenade) Allegretto 6/8 time D-flat major
• 6. Scherzo Allegro vivo 12/8 time A-flat major