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!
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A masterpiece by Alexander Borodin. Popular classical music (41–50)
Little Suite, Op. 1: No. 7 “Nocturne”Alexander Borodin
The seventh piece, “Nocturne,” from Alexander Borodin’s Petite Suite Op.
1—Borodin being a composer active in Imperial Russia—is notable for its beautiful melody that resonates deeply with listeners.
Woven with the delicate sensibility characteristic of Borodin, who was also renowned as a scientist, the piece is said to express the blissful feelings of a young woman in love.
Its gently flowing melody seems to quietly depict the subtle shifts of a maiden’s heart as she thinks of her beloved.
It is a work that fully showcases Borodin’s talent and his profound affection for Russian folk music.
String Quartet No. 2 in D majorAlexander Borodin
Alexander Borodin, who was a scientist and physician by profession, also composed numerous masterpieces that represent the 19th century.
Among them is his String Quartet No.
2 in D major, which he wrote as a dedication to his wife.
It begins with a first movement in sonata form, followed by a second movement in song form, and proceeds through the main theme toward the finale.
The overall romantic and elegant atmosphere conveys the deep love Alexander Borodin felt for his wife.
String Quartet No. 2, Movement 3: NocturneAlexander Borodin
Borodin was one of the composers known as the “Mighty Handful” (or “The Five”), a group in late 19th-century Russia who sought to create a nationalistic art music.
Although he was not a professional composer but a chemist working at an army hospital, he left behind deeply expressive masterpieces.
This piece, too, is characterized by the rich sonority of the strings.
The cello sings an emotional, beautiful melody, which the violin then takes up and continues to render with heartfelt expression.
Borodin dedicated this work to his wife as a commemoration of the 20th anniversary of confessing his love to her.
‘Polovtsian Dances’ from the opera Prince IgorAlexander Borodin
This piece is from Act II of the opera Prince Igor, written by the Russian composer Borodin and based on the Russian epic The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.
It depicts the lavish songs and dances at a banquet hosted by the enemy commander Khan Konchak to entertain Prince Igor and his son Vladimir, who have been captured by the nomadic Polovtsians.
The melodies for woodwinds and harp are particularly striking, aren’t they?
Polovtsian Dances from the opera Prince IgorAlexander Borodin
Among the works of the Russian composer Borodin, this is one of the most popular pieces and is often performed on its own.
It is also frequently chosen as a free selection in wind band competitions, as it has been arranged for concert band.
The beautiful oboe melody is particularly striking.
Symphony No. 2Alexander Borodin
Although Borodin was a Russian composer, he did not receive formal musical training and can be considered an amateur composer.
His Symphony No.
2 was completed in 1876, the same year as Brahms’s Symphony No.
1.
The hallmark of this work is its straightforward simplicity: there are no complex passages, and every section features accessible melodies supported by clear, easy-to-understand harmonies.
Polovtsian Dances from Prince IgorAlexander Borodin
Nowadays often called the “Polovtsian Dances,” this famous Borodin piece is well known from covers and commercials.
It originally comes from an opera.
Its exotic melodies that evoke Central Asia and its dance rhythms make it a delightful work.
Incidentally, Borodin’s main profession was scientist.