Vadim Borisovsky

Vadim Vasilyevich Borisovsky (Russian: Вадим Васильевич Борисовский; January 19, 1900 – August 2, 1972) was a Russian (Soviet) violist.

Biography

Born in Moscow, Borisovsky entered Moscow Conservatory in 1917 studying the violin with Mikhail Press. A year later, on the advice of violist Vladimir Bakaleinikov, Borisovsky turned his attentions to the viola. He studied with Bakaleinikov and graduated in 1922. Borisovsky became Professor of Viola at the conservatory in 1927.

Between 1922 and 1923, Borisovsky and colleagues from the Moscow Conservatory formed the Beethoven Quartet. He was the quartet's violist until 1964. There are many recordings of Borisovsky with the Beethoven Quartet.

Borisovsky was also a viola d'amore player. He arranged, transcribed and edited more than 250 compositions for viola and viola d'amore.

He died in Moscow, aged 72.

Original compositions

Arrangements and transcriptions

Harp

For harp solo

Original composer Russian title (original title) English title Publication
date 		Remarks
anonymous (16th century) Парижские колокола Paris Bells 1962
anonymous Скерцо: "Перезвон" Scherzo: "Carillon" (1650?) 1962
Robert de Visée Траурная аллеманда Allemande funèbre 1962 original for lute
Sylvius Leopold Weiss Прелюдия Prelude 1962

Viola d'amore

For viola d'amore and piano unless otherwise noted

Original composer Russian title (original title) English title Publication
date 		Remarks
Louis de Caix d'Hervelois Непостоянный
Грациозная
Менуэт
Гавот 		L'inconstant
La gracieuse
Menuet
Gavotte 		1928 transcription date 1926;
originals for viola da gamba and continuo;
alternate parts for violin and cello
Tommaso Giordani Мадригал Madrigal "Caro mio ben" 1936 original for voice; also for viola and piano; false attribution to Giuseppe Giordani
François Joseph Gossec Tambourin 1934  
Franz Anton Hoffmeister Divertimento for viola d'amore solo, 2 horns, 2 violins and basso 1934 viola d'amore and piano reduction by Cornelis Kint
Alexander Krein Пролог Prologue 1962  
Friedrich Wilhelm Rust Aria con Variazioni 1934 original for viola d'amore and basso; reduction by Cornilius Kint

Viola

For viola and piano unless otherwise noted

Original composer Russian title (original title) English title Publication
date 		Notes
Alexander Alyabyev Рондо Rondo 1973  
Anatoly Nikolayevich Alexandrov Ария из "Классической сюиты" Aria 1937 original from Classic Suite, Op. 32 (1928) for orchestra
Fikret Amirov Элегия Elegy 1962
anonymous (18th century French) Контрданс Contredanse 1980
Anton Arensky Вальс Valse 1974
Johann Sebastian Bach Адажио из Органного концерта № 3 Adagio 1960 original from Organ Concerto No. 3
Ария из Кантаты № 5: "Пролейся скорее, источник священный..." Ergieße dich reichlich, du göttliche Quelle from Cantata No. 5
for tenor, viola and piano (1724) 		1977 original for tenor, viola and continuo
Упражнение для органной педали Pedal Study for viola solo 1932 original for organ
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach Весна Die Frühling   original for clavier
Natalya Baklanova (1902–1985)
(Наталья Владимировна Бакланова) 		Русская Народная Песня: «Не белы то снеги» Russian Folk Song: "The Snow Is Not White" 1953  
Русская Народная Песня: Прялка «Против красна солнышка» Russian Folk Song 1953  
Русская Народная Песня: Плясовая Russian Folk Song: Dance 1953  
Béla Bartók Багатель, Соч. 6 № 2 Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 2, Sz. 38 (1908) 1975 original for piano
Ludwig van Beethoven Адажио кантабиле, Соч. 13 Adagio cantabile, Op. 13 original: movement II from Sonata Pathétique for piano
František Benda Соната D-dur для двух альтов и фортепиано Sonata in D major for 2 violas and piano original for 2 violins and continuo
Georges Bizet Адажиэтто из сюиты "Арлезианка" Adagietto from "L'Arlésienne" 1980 original for orchestra
Интермеццо Intermezzo 1980 original for orchestra from the incidental music L'Arlésienne
Dmitry Bortniansky Сонатное аллегро Sonata Allegro 1967 original for piano
Johannes Brahms Вальс Waltz in A major, Op. 39 No. 15 (1865) 1936 original for piano 4-hands
Antonio Bartolomeo Bruni Школа для Альта Viola Method 1937  
Pyotr Bulakhov Баркарола для двух альтов и фортепиано Barcarolle for 2 violas and piano 1950 original for 2 voices and piano
Канцонетта Canzonetta 1946  
Ernest Chausson Интерлюдия Interlude 1980 original for orchestra from Poème de l'amour et de la mer, Op. 19
Frédéric Chopin Этюд, Соч. 25 № 2 Étude, Op. 25 No. 2 (1837) 1971 original for piano
Прелюдия, Соч. 28 № 14 Prélude for viola solo, Op. 28 No. 14 1932 original for piano
Вальс Waltz in A minor, Op. 34 No. 2 1950 original for piano
Alexander Dargomyzhsky Элегия Elegy 1949 original: Не спрашивай, зачем: Элегия (Do Not Ask Why), Elegy
for voice and piano (1844); words by Alexander Pushkin
Claude Debussy Лунный свет (из "Бергамасская сюита") Clair de lune original from Suite bergamasque (1890, 1905) for piano
В лодке (из "Маленькая сюита") En Bateau 1956 original from Petite Suite (1886–1889) for piano 4-hands
Прелюд "Девушка с волосами цвета льна" Prelude "La fille aux cheveux de lin" 1936 original for piano
Louis Delune (1876–1940) Дождь La Pluie jabote... (The Rain...) 1980 original for cello and piano
Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf Концертная симфония ре-мажор "Двойной концерт" Sinfonia Concertante in D major for viola, double bass and orchestra, K. 127 1962  
Alexandre Dubuque Тарантелла Tarantella 1973  
Balys Dvarionas Тема с вариациями Theme and Variations for viola and orchestra (1946) 1957 original for bassoon and orchestra
Andrey Esaulov (1800–c.1850)
(Андрей Петрович Есаулов) 		Вальс меланхолической Melancholic Waltz 1946  
Gabriel Fauré Ноктюрн Nocturne in G major 1980 original for string orchestra from the incidental music Shylock, Op. 57 (1889)
Varvara Gaigerova (1903–1944)
(Варвара Андриановна Гайгерова) 		Сюита Suite for viola and piano, Op. 8 1969  
Iosif Genishta (1795–1853)
(Иосиф Иосифович Геништа) 		Соната Sonata for viola or clarinet and piano, Op. 9 1961  
Tommaso Giordani Мадригал Madrigal 1936 transcription of Caro mio ben; original for voice;
also for viola d'amore and piano
Alexander Glazunov Песнь трубадура Chant du Ménestrel, Op. 71 (1900) 1957 original for cello and piano or orchestra
Грезы Rêverie in D♭ major, Op. 24 (1890) 1948 original for horn and piano
Reinhold Glière Ноктюрн, Соч. 35 № 10 Nocturne, Op. 35 No. 10 1946 original for horn and piano
Романс, Соч. 34 Romance, Op. 34 1961 original for piano
Русская песня, Соч. 34 № 15 Russian Song, Op. 34 No. 15 1958 original for piano
Вальс, Соч. 45 № 2 Waltz, Op. 45 No. 2 1946 original from 12 Easy Pieces (12 Легких пьес), Op. 45 for violin and piano
Mikhail Glinka Баркарола Barcarolle 1952 original for piano
Детская полька Children's Polka (Polka Enfantine) 1952 original for piano
Мазурка Mazurka 1948 original for piano
Ноктюрн "Разлука" Nocturne "La Séparation" 1948 original for piano
Вариации на тему романса А. Алябьева "Соловей" Variations on Alyabyev's Romance "The Nightingale" 1973 original for piano
Неоконченная соната Viola Sonata in D minor (1825–1828) 1932 completed by Borisovsky
Christoph Willibald Gluck Гавот Gavotte 1937 original from the ballet Don Juan (1761)
Alexander Goedicke Соната № 1 (ля-мажор), Соч. 10 (1899) Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. 10 (1899) 1959 original for violin and piano;
viola part also arranged by Mikhail Vladimirovich Reytikh
Enrique Granados Интермеццо Intermezzo 1936 original for piano
Edvard Grieg Элегия, Соч. 38 № 6 Elegy (Elegi), Op. 38 No. 6 1935 original from Lyric Pieces, Op. 38 for piano
Поэма Poéme (Erotik), Op. 43 No. 5 1950 original from Lyric Pieces, Op. 43 for piano
Песня Сольвейг, Соч. 55 № 4 Solveig's Song (Solveigs Sang), Op. 55 No. 4 (1875) 1971 original for orchestra from Peer Gynt Suite No. 2
Alexandr Griboyedov Вальс Waltz 1946  
Johann Wilhelm Hässler (Гесслер) Элегия Elegy 1936  
Joseph Haydn Менуэт Menuet 1950  
Kara Karayev Адажио (Китайский танец) Adagio (Chinese Dance) 1962 from the ballet Seven Beauties (1952)
Gypsy Dance  
Aram Khachaturian Вальс из музыки к драме М. Лермонтова "Маскарад"
для двух альтов и фортепиано 		Waltz for 2 violas and piano 1959 from the incidental music for Masquerade (1941)
Ivan Khandoshkin Концерт до-мажор Concerto in C major for viola and orchestra (1801) 1947 piano reduction and cadenzas also by Borisovsky;
Attributed to Khandoshkin but is now thought to be
written by Mikhail Goldstein. See Musical hoax.
Вариации на русскую песню "То теряю, что люблю" Variations on a Russian Song of Love 1955  
Ivan Laskovsky (1799–1855)
(Иван Федорович Ласковский) 		Ноктюрн, Соч. 27 Nocturne in B♭ major, Op. 27 1973  
Franz Liszt Ноктюрн Notturno: Liebestraum No. 3, S. 541 (1850) 1963 original for piano
Поэма 1963
Прощание 1963
Романс Romance 1966
Сонет Петрарки №104 Sonetto 104 di Petrarca, S. 158 No. 2 (1844–1845) 1966 original for piano
Сонет Петрарки №123 Sonetto 123 di Petrarca, S. 158 No. 3 (1844–1845) 1966 original for piano
Jean-Baptiste Lully Две пьесы (из оперы "Атис")
  1. Ариозо
  2. Гавот
 2 Pieces
  1. Arioso
  2. Gavotte
1936 from the opera Atys (1676)
Anatoly Lyadov Прелюдия Prelude, Op. 11 No. 1 1950 original from 3 Morceaux, Op. 11 (1886) for piano
Felix Mendelssohn Песня без слов "Весенняя песня" Song without Words "Frühlingslied" (Spring Song), Op. 62 No. 6 1958 original for piano
Песня без слов Song without Words, Op. 85 No. 1 1958 original for piano
Louis-Toussaint Milandre Анданте и Менуэт Andante et Menuet (1770) 1980
Modest Mussorgsky Гопак (из оперы "Сорочинская ярмарка") Hopak 1936 from the opera The Fair at Sorochyntsi (1874–1880)
Nikolai Myaskovsky Конец сказки Dernière du Conte, Op. 74 No. 6 (1947) 1953 original for piano from 6 Morceaux-impromptus (Шесть Импровизации), Op. 74
Соната № 2 Sonata No. 2 in A minor, Op. 81 (1948) 1960 original for cello and piano
Vladimir Odoevsky Вальс Waltz 1946  
Sergei Prokofiev Кошка The Cat 1962 from Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67 (1936)
Свадьба Киже Kijé's Wedding   from the film Lieutenant Kijé, Op. 60 (1934)
Колыбельная Lullaby 1962 from the oratorio On Guard for Peace (На страже мира), Op. 124 (1950)
Пьесы из балета "Ромео и Джульетта"
Вступление
Улица просыпается
Джульетта-Девочка
Менуэт: Съезд гостей
Танец рыцарей
Меркуцио
Сцена у балкона
Карнавал
Танец с мандолинами для двух альтов и фортепиано
Ромео и Джульетта у патера Лоренцо
Меркуцио умирает
Утренняя серенада для двух альтов и фортепиано
Прощание перед разлукой (Сцена прощания) и Смерть Джульетты
 Pieces from the Ballet "Romeo and Juliet", Op. 64
Introduction
The Street Awakens
The Young Juliet
Menuet: Arrival of the Guests
Dance of the Knights
Mercutio
Balcony Scene
Carnaval
Dance with Mandolins for 2 violas and piano
Romeo and Juliet Meet Friar Laurence
Death of Mercutio
Morning Serenade for 2 violas and piano
Farewell before Parting and Death of Juliet
1961
1961
1961
1961
1961
1961
1961
1977
1977
1961
1977
1977
1977







Carnaval is taken from No. 24 Dance of the Five Couples.
Sergei Rachmaninoff Мелодия, Соч. 3 № 3 Mélodie, Op. 3 No. 3 (1892) 1984 original for piano from Morceaux de fantaisie
Прелюдия, Соч. 23 № 4 Prelude, Op. 23 No. 4 (1903) 1950 original for piano
Не пой, красавица..., Соч. 4 № 4 Sing Not to Me, O Lovely One for voice, viola and piano, Op. 4 No. 4 (1890–1893) 1977 original for voice and piano; words by Alexander Pushkin
Соната соль-минор, Соч. 19 Sonata in G minor, Op. 19 (1901) 1950 original for cello and piano
Maurice Ravel Павана на смерть инфанты Pavane pour une infante défunte (1899) 1929 original for piano
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Полет шмеля (из оперы "Сказка о царе Салтане") Flight of the Bumblebee (1899–1900) 1984 original for orchestra from the opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan
Gioachino Rossini Альпийская пастушка (из "Музыкальные вечера") La Pastorella dell' Alpi   No. 6 from Les soirées musicales; original for soprano and piano
Скерцо Scherzo in D major 1962  
Alessandro Rolla Концертный этюд Étude de Concert in G major 1962 original for viola solo
Friedrich Wilhelm Rust Соната (соль-мажор) Sonata in G major for viola and continuo 1935  
Franz Schubert Экспромт, Соч. 90 № 3 Impromptu, Op. 90 No. 3 (1827) 1971 original for piano
Два вальса 2 Waltzes, Op. 9 Nos. 1 and 2 1952 original from 36 Originaltänze, Op. 9, D. 365 for piano
François Schubert Пчелка Bagatelle "The Bee" (L'abeille; Die Biene), Op. 13 No. 9 (1860) 1937 original for violin and piano
Robert Schumann Вечерняя песнь Abendlied, Op. 85 No. 12 (1849) 1937 original for piano 4-hands
Адажио и аллегро Adagio und Alegro, Op. 70 (1849) 1953 original for horn and piano
Маленький этюд A Little Study for viola solo 1932 original for piano: No. 14 from Album für die Jugend, Op. 68 (1848)
Пастушеская мелодия Pastoral (Alpenkuhreigen) for viola solo, Op. 115 No. 4 1939 from the incidental music for Manfred, Op. 115
Alexander Scriabin Прелюдия Prélude in C♯ minor, Op. 9 No. 1 (1894) 1935 transcription dated 1931
Dmitri Shostakovich Адажио Adagio 1962  
Пьесы из музыки к кинофильму "Овод"
Увертюра
Романс
Контраданс
Вальс-Шарманка
Ноктюрн
Галоп
Сцена
Интермеццо
Народный праздник
 Pieces from "The Gadfly"
Overture
Romance
Contra-dance
Barrel-Organ Waltz
Nocturne
Galop
Scene
Intermezzo
Folk Festival (People's Holiday)
1964
1964
1964
1966
1966
1966
1976
1976
1976 		from music to the film The Gadfly (Овод), Op. 97 (1955)
Весенний Вальс Spring Waltz 1962  
Lev Shvarts (1898–1962)
(Лев Александрович Шварц) 		Две Пьесы
  1. Мелодия
  2. Плясовая
 2 Pieces
  1. Melodie
  2. Dance
1934  
Jean Sibelius Грустный вальс, Соч. 44 № 1 Valse triste, Op. 44 No. 1 (1903) original for orchestra
Johann Stamitz Соната (соль-мажор) Sonata in G major, Op. 6a 1956 original for violin and basso continuo: Sonate da camera
Carl Stamitz Концерт Concerto in D major for viola and orchestra, Op. 1 (published 1774) 1955  
Концерт № 2 Concerto No. 2 for viola and orchestra 1937  
Igor Stravinsky Пастораль Pastorale (1907)   original for voice and piano
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Страстное Признание Ardent Declaration (Aveu Passionné) 1950 original for piano
Ночь, Соч. 73 № 2 Night for voice, viola and piano, Op. 73 No. 2 (1893) 1977 original for voice and piano; words by Daniil Ratgauz
Ноктюрн, Соч. 19 № 4 Nocturne in D minor, Op. 19 No. 4 (1873) 1937 original for piano
Нет, только тот, кто знал..., Соч. 6 № 6 None But the Lonely Heart for voice, viola and piano, Op. 6 No. 6 (1869) 1977 original for voice and piano; words by Lev Mei
Времена Года
No. 1 У Камелька
No. 4 Подснежник
No. 5 Белые Ночи
No. 10 Осенняя Песня
 The Seasons (Les Saisons), Op. 37b
No. 1 January: By the Fireside (Au Coin du Feu)
No. 4 April: The Snowdrop (Perce-neige)
No. 5 May: White Nights (Les Nuits de Mai)
No. 10 October: Autumn Song (Chant d'Automne)
1950
1949
1949
1949 		original for piano
Сентиментальный Вальс Valse Sentimentale, Op. 56 No. 6 (1882) 1979 original for piano
Grigory Teplov Менуэт Minuet 1946  
Thibaut IV Песня о розе The Rose's Song for voice, viola and piano 1977 original for voice and piano; words by Guillaume de Lorris
Nikolai Titov (18th century)
(Николай Сергеевич Титов) 		Романс Romance 1946  
Joaquín Turina Анданте из сюиты "Севилья" Andante 1958 original from Sevilla, Op. 2 (1908) for piano
Alexander Veprik Строгий напев Chant rigoureux, Op. 9 (1927) 1937 original for clarinet and piano
Alexey Verstovsky Вариации на две темы Variations on Two Themes 1950  
Antonio Vivaldi Концерт соль-мажор Concerto in G major for viola and orchestra 1955 original: Concerto in D Major for viola d'amore and orchestra, RV 392
Carl Maria von Weber Вариации Variations on "A Schüsserl und a Rein'dl'" for viola and orchestra 1962 cadenzas by Borisovsky
Carl Friedrich Zelter Концерт ми-бемоль мажор Concerto in E♭ major for viola and orchestra 1959  
Georgi Zlatev-Cherkin (1905–1977)
(Георгий Златев-Черкин) 		Севдана Sevdana (1944)   original for violin and piano

References