In 1910, Charles Griffes was 26 when he transcribed the "Symphonische Phantasie for Two Pianos." Griffes first composed this piece in 1907 for orchestra. Usually, he would work in the opposite manner, and compose pieces for piano and then transcribe them for orchestra, such as The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan, or The White Peacock. But the piece suits two pianos well and is a pleasure to hear.

Donna K. Anderson and Robert Carroll Smith first performed the duo-piano arrangement in 1964. Its first recorded performance was in the year 2000. It is amazing how neglected this brilliant composer and his works were, even a very early, but deserving, composition such as this. What is even more amazing is the difference in genre and style that this piece projects, in contrast to his later piano pieces, such as the Sonata (1918). Griffes progressed musically so much in those short years, one would hardly know that the same composer had written these two pieces. Griffes went from the Wagnerian Romanticism of the Symphonische Phantasie to the atonal, free-form, and synthetic-scaled Sonata. To learn so much about composition, and to create his own style in such a short time, is incredible, and seems proof that Griffes was indeed a musical genius.

The Symphonische Phantasie is a beautiful, lyrical piece with expressive melodies and lush background chords. It begins sparsely, but soon the two pianos are completely in tune with each other, thriving and flourishing upon one another as the piece continues. The 4/4 tempo is a leisurely but moving one. Written in the key of E major, there are basic German Romanticism chordal progressions and harmonies in the piece. At first it sounds simplistic, although very pleasing. Later the piece becomes more animated, and large, full chords emanate from both pianos, intertwining with each other. Griffes couldn't have done a better job of composing in the rich, German style. It is stunning that while still in his early twenties, Griffes could produce such a satisfying piece of music as this.

Griffes was not in Germany, where he studied piano and composition from 1903 - 1907, when he transcribed the "Symphonische Phantasie for Two Pianos." Still, he dedicated the piece to his close German friend, Emil Joel, who was an accomplished amateur pianist. It is unknown whether the two ever had the opportunity to play the duo piano piece together.

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