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“Paraphrases: 24 variations and 16 small pieces on a simple theme (“Tati -Tati“ or “Chopsticks“),“ for piano ( three hands) by Borodin, Cui, Lyadov, Rimsky-Korsakov and Liszt. Played by Marco Rapetti, Daniela de Santis& Giampaolo Nuti The history of this collective work, in the first edition called “ Paraphrases: 24 Variations et 15 petits pièces sur le thème favori et obligé. Par Alexander Borodine, César Cui, Anatole Lyadow, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow et François Liszt “, started in 1877. Borodin's daughter Gania played “The Coteletten Polka“, with four bars of music, called by V. Stasov «Tati-Tati», and asked father to play with her in four hands. At first Borodin composed comic Polka. The idea was so pleasant to composers of Mighty Group that one after another they joined to the process of improvising. M. Musorgsky initially also participated in this collective work : he wrote a Gallop on this theme, but later refused to continue. M. Balakirev considered the idea to be unworthy of publication and, therefore, preferred not to participate. Set of variations and short pieces was published in 1879 and sent to Liszt. The Hungarian composer answered very quickly : “Dear Sirs, you have created a work of serious interest. I admire your “Paraphrases”. Nobody can imagine anything smarter than your 24 variations and 15 little pieces on your unchanging theme. Finally, there is a compendium of all musical sciences, like harmony, counterpoint, rhythms, figured style and what the Germans call “ Formenlehre.“ I will gladly offer it to professors of all European and American conservatories as a practical guide in their teaching“. Franz Liszt was so thrilled with “Paraphrases” that decided to compose a short tribute for piano solo to be inserted before Borodin's Polka.
