About Vadim Borisovsky
Lived 1900 – 1972 (aged 72). Vadim Borisovsky was a Russian music educator, viola d'amore player, violist, professor, violinist and music arranger.
Vadim Vasilyevich Borisovsky (; 19 January 1900 – 2 July 1972) was a Soviet-Russian 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 1925. Varvara Gaigerova dedicated her Suite for Viola, op. 8 to him.
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 in 1972, aged 72.
Original compositions Concert Etude (Концертный этюд) in A major for viola solo (published 1981) Vulcan: Sicilian Tarantella (Сицилийская тарантелла “Вулкан”) for viola and piano (1962)
Arrangements and transcriptions Harp For harp solo Original composer Russian title (original title) English title Publicationdate 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 Publicationdate 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 Publicationdate Notes Alexander Alyabyev Рондо Rondo 1973 Anatoly 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 No. 3 Adagio 1960 original from Organ Concerto No. 3 Ария из Кантаты No. 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 1961 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 No. 2 Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 2, Sz. 38 (1908) 1975 original for piano Ludwig van Beethoven Адажио кантабиле, Соч. 13 Adagio cantabile, Op. 13 1961 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 Luigi Borghi Соната No. 1, Соч. 5 Sonata No. 1, Op. 5 original for violin and basso continuo 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 in D major for 2 violas and piano 1950 original for 2 voices and piano Канцонетта Canzonetta in C major 1946 transcription dated 1943 Ernest Chausson Интерлюдия Interlude 1980 original for orchestra from Poème de l'amour et de la mer, Op. 19 Frédéric Chopin Этюд, Соч. 25 No. 2 Étude, Op. 25 No. 2 (1837) 1971 original for piano Прелюдия, Соч. 28 No. 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 Karl Davydov Романс, Соч. 23 Romance sans paroles in G major, Op. 23 1953 original for cello and piano Claude Debussy Лунный свет (из "Бергамасская сюита") Clair de lune 1956 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 (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 A Melancholic Waltz in E minor 1946 transcription dated 1942 Gabriel Fauré Ноктюрн Nocturne in G major 1980 original for string orchestra from the incidental music Shylock, Op. 57 (1889) Varvara Gaigerova 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 No. 10 Nocturne, Op. 35 No. 10 1946 original for horn and piano Русская песня, Соч. 34 No. 15 Russian Song in E minor, Op. 34 No. 15 1958 original for piano; also published in 1961 as Romance, Op. 34Вальс, Соч. 45 No. 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 No. 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 No. 6 Elegy (Elegi), Op. 38 No. 6 1935 original from Lyric Pieces, Op. 38 for piano Поэма, Соч. 43 No. 5 Poème (Erotik), Op. 43 No. 5 1950 original from Lyric Pieces, Op. 43 for piano Песня Сольвейг, Соч. 55 No. 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 in D minor 1946 transcription dated 1942 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 Ноктюрн из музыки к драме М. Ю. Лермонтова "Маскарад" Nocturne 1980 from the incidental music for Masquerade (1941) Вальс из музыки к драме М. Лермонтова "Маскарад" для двух альтов и фортепиано Waltz in A minor for 2 violas and piano 1959 from the incidental music for Masquerade (1941) transcribed 1958 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 original for violin and cello, Op. 4 No. 2 Ivan Laskovsky (1799–1855) (Иван Федорович Ласковский) Ноктюрн, Соч. 27 Nocturne in B major, Op. 27 1973 original for piano Franz Liszt Ноктюрн Notturno: Liebestraum No. 3, S. 541 (1850) 1963 original for piano Поэма 1963 Прощание 1963 Романс Romance 1966 Сонет Петрарки No.104 Sonetto 104 di Petrarca, S. 158 No. 2 (1844–1845) 1966 original for piano Сонет Петрарки No.123 Sonetto 123 di Petrarca, S. 158 No. 3 (1844–1845) 1966 original for piano Jean-Baptiste Lully Две пьесы (из оперы "Атис") 2 Pieces 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 No. 2 Sonata No. 2 in A minor, Op. 81 (1948) 1960 original for cello and piano Vladimir Odoevsky Вальс Waltz in G major 1946 transcription dated 1942 Sergei Prokofiev Кошка The Cat 1962 from Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67 (1936) Свадьба Киже Kijé's Wedding 1980 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 Сцена прощания (Прощание перед разлукой) 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 Scene (Farewell before Parting) and Death of Juliet 1961 1961 1961 1967 1961 1961 1961 1977 1977 1967 1977 1977 1977 Carnaval is taken from No. 24 Dance of the Five Couples. Sergei Rachmaninoff Мелодия, Соч. 3 No. 3 Mélodie, Op. 3 No. 3 (1892) 1984 original for piano from Morceaux de fantaisie Прелюдия, Соч. 23 No. 4 Prelude, Op. 23 No. 4 (1903) 1950 original for piano Не пой, красавица..., Соч. 4 No. 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 Песня Индийского гостя (из оперы "Садко") Song of the Indian Guest 1962 original for tenor and orchestra from the opera Sadko (1896) 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 No. 3 Impromptu, Op. 90 No. 3 (1827) 1971 original for piano Скерцо Scherzo 1936 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 Allegro, 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 1932 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 Весенний Вальс Adagio Spring Waltz 1962 original from the ballet The Limpid Stream, Op. 39 (1934–1935), also in Ballet Suite No. 2 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) Lev Shvarts (1898–1962) (Лев Александрович Шварц) Две Пьесы 2 Pieces 1934 Jean Sibelius Грустный вальс, Соч. 44 No. 1 Valse triste, Op. 44 No. 1 (1903) 1963 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 No. 2 Concerto No. 2 for viola and orchestra 1937 Igor Stravinsky Пастораль Pastorale (1907) 1967 original for voice and piano Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Страстное Признание Ardent Declaration (Aveu Passionné) 1950 original for piano Ночь, Соч. 73 No. 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 No. 4 Nocturne in D minor, Op. 19 No. 4 (1873) 1937 original for piano Нет, только тот, кто знал..., Соч. 6 No. 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. 51 No. 6 (1882) 1979 original for piano Grigory Teplov Менуэт Minuet in C major 1946 transcription dated 1942 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 (1798–1843) (Николай Сергеевич Титов) Романс Romance in E major 1946 transcription dated 1942 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 Aleksey Zhilin Вальс Waltz 1957 Georgi Zlatev-Cherkin (1905–1977) (Георгий Златев-Черкин) Севдана Sevdana (1944) original for violin and piano
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Important facts
People in Vadim Borisovsky's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Vadim Borisovsky's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Vadim Borisovsky?
Russian musician (1900–1972)
When was Vadim Borisovsky born?
Vadim Borisovsky was born on 7 January 1900 in Moscow.
When did Vadim Borisovsky die?
Vadim Borisovsky died on 2 August 1972 in Moscow.
What was Vadim Borisovsky's occupation?
Vadim Borisovsky was a music educator, viola d'amore player, violist, professor, violinist and music arranger.
What nationality was Vadim Borisovsky?
Vadim Borisovsky was Russian.
Sources & further reading
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APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Vadim Borisovsky. https://biography.guide/vadim-borisovsky/
MLA: "Vadim Borisovsky." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/vadim-borisovsky/.
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