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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Alexander (Porfiryevich) Borodin was born in St Petersburg in 1833, the illegitimate son of a Russian prince. From a very early age he showed a talent for music and science, composing pianoforte and flute pieces. 

His studies were in science in Heidelberg. He graduated from the St Petersburg Academy of Medicine and Surgery, and entered the medical profession. He was appointed Associate Professor of Chemistry at the Academy of Medicine in 1862.

During a meeting with Balakirev¹ in 1862 he was persuaded to study music seriously in his leisure time, whilst continuing his scientific work - including the foundation of a Women's School of Medicine. He lectured here from 1872 until his death in 1887.

Alexander visited Liszt in Weimar and Liszt assisted him to launch his music outside Russia. A friendly suggestion from a friend, Stassov, instigated an opera on the subject of Prince Igor. This appealed to Alexander's nationalism. However, difficulties with a libretto, together with pressure of his scientific work, made for slow progress. His masterpiece was never finished. His friends Rimsky Korsakov and Glazunov completed the work after his death.

We have chosen two pieces to illustrate his work (and the tremendous impression he had on others during his lifetime and beyond it). The theme from the Polovtsian Dances in Prince Igor [used in the song Stranger in Paradise, in the later show Kismet²], and the theme from his String Quartet No 2 - Nocturne [used in the song And This is My Beloved, in the show Kismet].

Footnote 1.    Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev (1837 - 1910) was a Russian composer who made a major contribution to the development of a Russian School of Music. He was also a member of the 'Five' (nationalistically inclined composers) the others being Cui, Borodin, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov. See Kennedy in MusicSmiles bibliography for further details. Return to story. 

Footnote 2.    For further details see Kismet in MusicSmiles bibliography. Return to story.

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