In the 18th century Russian music was greatly influenced by Italian opera and classical music thanks to invitations to Italian musicians by the Russian court. As a result some Russian composers went to Italy to study.
Russia is comprised of many different ethnic cultures and consequently has a wide variety of folk music. Glinka was the first great composer to exploit traditional music and this trend was further developed by the 'Mighty Five'.
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The MIGHTY FIVE
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A group of five Russian composers: Borodin, César Cui, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and their leader Mily Balakirev.
Their principal aim was to compose classical music based on Russian national traditions.
See below for profiles of the individual members. |
BALAKIREV, Mily
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2 January 1837 - 29 May 1910 (age 73)
2010 is the centenary of his death.
19th century Russian conductor, composer, pianist and educator.
He was the leader of the group known as the 'Mighty Five' made up of Borodin, Mussorgsky, Cui and Rimsky Korsakov.
More on our Balakirev page |
BORODIN, Alexander
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12 November 1833 - 27 February 1887 (age 53)
Alexander Borodin was a truly amazing person: eminent Russian organic chemist, 'amateur' composer, poet, writer, fighter for women's rights, philanthropist.
Member of the 'Mighty Five'
More at our Borodin page |
CUI, César
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18 January 1835 - 13 March 1918 (age 83)
Army officer, teacher of fortifications, music critic and composer. Member of the 'Mighty Five'
Our profile of César Cui is in preparation. |
GLINKA, Mikhail
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1 June 1804 - 15 February 1857 (age 52)
Mikhail Glinka, the Russian 19th century composer is acknowledged as the Father of Russian Classical music. His influence on the subsequent development of Russian music was immense and in particular on Balakirev, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky and Anton Rubinstein.
More on our Glinka page |
KHACHATURIAN, Aram
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6 June 1903 - 1 May 1978 (age 74)
Khachaturian was an Armenian composer best known for the 'Sabre Dance' from the ballet Gayaneh and for the theme tune of the 1970s TV series 'The Onedin Line' which was taken from the ballet 'Spartacus'
Read more at our Khachaturian page |
MUSSORGSKY, Modest
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21 March 1839 - 28 March 1881 (age 42)
One of the Russian composers known as the 'Mighty Five' .
Worked as a civil servant. Had problems with alcohol and died in poverty.
Best known for his 'Pictures at an Exhibition', 'Night on the Bare Mountain'and for his opera 'Boris Godunov'
More info on our Mussorgsky page. |
PROKOFIEV, Sergei
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23 April 1891 - 5 March 1953 (age 61)
Sergio Prokofiev is probably the most popular Russian composer after Tchaikovsky.
Best known for the musical children's tale "Peter and the Wolf" he created works in most genres - symphonic, opera, ballet, chamber music and solo piano.
For more information go to our Prokofiev page |
RACHMANINOFF, Sergei
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1 April 1873 - 28 March 1943 (age 69)
Sergei Rachmaninoff was a virtuoso Russian pianist, conductor and composer.
He was influenced and encouraged by Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Scriabin. He left Russia in 1918 and went on to become one of the 20th century's most well known and well paid concert pianists.
Read more on our Rachmaninoff page
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RIMSKY-KORSAKOV, Nikolai
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6 March 1844 - 21 June 1908 (age 64)
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was a 19th century Russian composer and officer in the Russian Navy.
His best known work is probably 'The Flight of the Bumblebee' but he produced much interesting work, including 15 operas.
He was a composer, naval officer, teacher, conductor, writer and well known society figure.
Member of the 'Mighty Five'.
More on our Rimsky-Korsakov page. |
SCRIABIN, Alexander
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25 December 1871 - 27 April 1915 (age 43)
Scriabin was an eccentric Russian composer, virtuoso pianist and mystic. Best known for his piano works he was a fellow student of Rachmaninoff.
More on our Scriabin page |
SHOSTAKOVICH, Dmitri
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25 September 1906 - 9 August 1975 (age 68)
Considered to be one of the 20th centuries most important composers alongside Stravinsky.
Best known for his 14 symphonies.
His career was troubled by tense relationships with the Soviet government which eased after the death of Stalin.
More on our Shostakovich page |
STRAVINSKY, Igor
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17 June 1882 - 6 April 1971 (Age 88)
Stravinsky was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor. He became an American citizen in 1946.
He was one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.
More on our Stravinsky page |
TCHAIKOVSKY, Piotr Ilyich
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7 May 1840 - 6 November 1893 (age 53)
Tchaikovsky is probably THE most popular classical composer of all time. Best known for his ballet music and symphonies.
More on our Tchaikovsky page |
