Isidore Philipp (or Isidor Philipp) is counted among the leading French pianists of the first half of the 20th century. His achievements in nurturing many young talents as a renowned teacher are also significant. In addition to his activities as a performer and educator, his diverse work included composition, arrangement, compilation, editing, and fingering of existing pieces, as well as writing pedagogical books. 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 a two-piano piece with Saint-Saëns, 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' 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.

While Philipp established himself as a leading soloist specializing in concertos, he also had a strong affinity for chamber music, enjoying free ensemble playing with instrumental virtuosos throughout his life. His choice of the second movement of Weber's Trio (for Flute [or Violin], Cello [or Bassoon], and Piano), Op. 63, as the subject for a two-piano arrangement can be seen as a manifestation of his extensive chamber music experience. It is also worth noting that prior to this arrangement, Philipp was involved as a co-editor with Delaborde in the publication of a revised edition (Costallat, 1900) of Alkan's piano solo arrangement of the same piece (No. 6 of “Souvenirs de Musique de Chambre”). It is plausible that he was inspired by Alkan's version to undertake the two-piano arrangement. Dedicated to Madame H. O. K. Webber. Allegro vivace, 3/4 time, G minor. Written with ensemble playing with his students in mind, it is characterized by an unforced and concise style. In contemporary piano lessons, if we set aside Weber's “Invitation to the Dance,” Op. 65, it is probably the case that pieces like “Rondo brillante,” Op. 62, or “Polonaise brillante,” Op. 72 are as much as students can handle. By becoming familiar with such accessible arrangements, one hopes to broaden one's understanding of the composer, even if only slightly.