| Russian composer and chemist, one of the
first Russian composers to gain an international reputation. Born in Saint
Petersburg, he studied medicine and chemistry at the Medico-Surgical Academy
in the city and was appointed to the chair of chemistry. Borodin published
several important research papers on aldehydes. In 1872 he helped found
a medical school for women. Borodin found time for musical composition as
a recreation. His musical studies had begun early, and at the age of 13
he wrote a piece for flute and piano. Later he joined the circle of the
Russian composer Mily Balakirev and became known as one of The Five, a group
of nationally conscious Russian composers. He composed his initial work,
First Symphony in E Flat, in 1862-67. In 1869 he began the opera Prince
Igor, based on the epic The Lay of Igor's Host, but soon left the opera
and incorporated the composed parts in his Second Symphony in B Minor (1869-76).
He then resumed work on the opera; still unfinished at his death, it was
orchestrated and completed by the Russian composers
Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov
and Aleksandr Glazunov. Borodin's other major works include the opera The
Bogatirs (1867); a musical picture, In the Steppes of Central Asia (1880);
two string quartets (1874-79; 1881); and a score of songs. |