A masterpiece by Alexander Borodin. Popular classical music.
Here is an introduction to Alexander Borodin, a composer known as one of the “Mighty Handful” (the Russian Five) in the world of classical music.
While many classical composers are full-time musicians who make their living performing or composing, Borodin was an exceptional figure: he entered the medical faculty at the University of St.
Petersburg, graduated at the top of his class, and went on to serve as an assistant professor and then professor of biochemistry at his alma mater—his primary profession was that of a chemist.
He even called himself a “Sunday composer,” and because he composed in the intervals between his scientific work, his output is not large.
Nevertheless, he left many remarkable works, including the Polovtsian Dances and his String Quartet No.
2.
Here, we present Borodin’s masterpieces, movement by movement, paired with outstanding performances.
Please enjoy these superb works that you’d never guess were written by someone whose day job was chemistry!
- [Borodin’s Piano Pieces] Selected masterpieces by a composer who loved Russian folk songs
- [Masterpiece Classics] A special showcase of gem-like masterpieces so beautiful they’ll move you to tears
- Alexander Borodin Popular Song Ranking [2026]
- Rimsky-Korsakov’s Masterpieces | The Vividly Colorful World of Russian Music
- Masterpieces of the bolero. Recommended popular pieces in bolero form and outstanding performances.
- [Quartet] Masterpieces and Popular Pieces for String Quartet
- Cool classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
- Mussorgsky’s masterpiece. Popular classical music.
- François Couperin Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- Highlighting the masterpieces and popular works of Mikhail Glinka, the pioneering composer of Russian music
- Berlioz’s famous piece. Popular classical music.
- Stravinsky’s masterpiece. Popular classical music.
- [Tchaikovsky] Pick up famous and representative pieces!
A masterpiece by Alexander Borodin. Popular classical music (21–30)
Piano Quintet in C minor, 3rd movementAlexander Borodin
From the Piano Quintet in C minor, Movement III: Finale.
Performed by pianist Katarina Pipovic Misic and the Amernet String Quartet: violinists Misha Vitenson and Franz Felkl, violist Michael Klotz, and cellist Jason Calloway.
Symphony No. 2, Movement IIAlexander Borodin
Symphony No.
2 in B minor, Movement II: Scherzo – Prestissimo; Trio – Allegretto.
Performed by the Orquesta Filarmónica de la UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico).
I believe it’s the university’s orchestra, and it appears to include not only students but also faculty-like members.
Conducted by Pablo Varela.
Masterpieces by Alexander Borodin. Popular classical music (31–40)
Symphony No. 2, Third MovementAlexander Borodin
Symphony No.
2 in B minor, third movement: Andante.
It premiered in 1877 but was not successful, so Borodin revised it and it was re-premiered in 1879.
Performed by the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Garo Avessian, recorded at the Church of Saint Joseph, Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut.
From ‘Petite Suite’, No. 4Alexander Borodin
From Petite Suite: No.
4, Mazurka – Allegretto.
It is said that Borodin dedicated this Petite Suite to Countess Mercy-Argenteau as thanks for being invited to a concert held in Antwerp, Belgium.
Piano performed by Joseph Smith.
Andantino in G minor for String TrioAlexander Borodin
Andantino in G minor for string trio.
A work by Borodin from 1855.
Performed by violinists Imara Witherspoon and Katia Tesarczyk, and cellist Madeleine Sheard.
They appear to be students of the Altaria Chamber Music School.
String Sextet in D minorAlexander Borodin
String Sextet in D minor.
Movement I: Allegro, Movement II: Andante.
Performed by: Violin – Bin Chao, Jorge Teixeira; Viola – Lu Zhang, Leonor Braga Santos; Cello – Varoujan Bartikian, Marco Pereira.
String Quartet No. 2, Movement IIAlexander Borodin
From String Quartet No.
2 in D major, Movement II: Scherzo, Allegro.
Performed by the Macondo Chamber Players.
Violin: Andrey Baranov and José Romero; Viola: Raúl García; Cello: Francisco Villa.