The Helene Polka is the second movement in my suite, Borodiniana. Originally composed by Borodin for piano 4-hands, the name Helene in this graceful, delightful polka refers to a young damsel on whom the composer had a crush in his youth. Evidently, judging from the poignant theme that opens and closes this piece, Borodin’s ardor for the lovely maiden was left unrequited. Musically, this work is a study in the sublties of rubato.