On Performer’s Concept of Petite Suite by A.P. Borodin
A concept of Petite Suite by A.P. Borodin is presented in the article. In piano literature, the music of the composition has become a part of priceless heritage of Russian composers known as The Five. Nevertheless, hitherto the cycle as a whole was rarely under careful consideration of musicologists and performers. The constituent parts of the composition were produced by Borodin at various times, and short comments about contents of the suite, found in his notes, were never published by the composer. However, the realized examination makes it possible to show that unity and coherence of the cycle are determined by close internal connections between the movements. There are original and ingenious solutions to dramaturgic problems behind conventional classical forms of the pieces. As it is demonstrated, a confirmation of the composition integrity is given at different levels of composer’s work: by musical texture details, by interdependence of texture and musical form, by correlation between the suite movements. Every piece taken separately is enchanting, fascinating piano miniature; all of them taken together, in the light of the entire composition unfolding, make feel dramaturgic qualities of it and permit to define some important factors, which contribute to our perception of its perfect structure. The proposed concept of Borodin’s Petite Suite originated in a large measure from performer’s hearing which was also essential to the entire development of further analysis. The synthesis of practical experience and analytic methods is fundamental in author’s approach, allows of deeper understanding of musical work, and opens up new perspectives for thorough scientific research and eloquent performer’s interpretation.