Mily Balakirev Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Composer Mily Balakirev, who also served as the coordinator of the group of composers known as the “Mighty Handful” or “The Five,” sought to create nationally inspired art music in the late 19th century.

He is also known for founding the Free School of Music in 1862 and, in 1869, for serving as director of the Imperial Chapel and as a conductor of the Imperial Musical Society.

Today, we’re introducing a ranking of Mily Balakirev’s most popular pieces—be sure to check out these approachable works that reflect the influence of Russian folk music.

Playlist

Mily Balakirev Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Oriental Fantasy: IslameyMily Balakirev		Mily—known as the coordinator of the Russian Five—
2	IslameyMily Balakirev		It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s always mentioned as one of the most difficult piano pieces.
3	Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 84Mily Balakirev		In the Russian music scene of the late 19th century, Cho...
4	Sonatina “Sketch” in G majorMily Balakirev		In the late 19th century, among the leading figures of Russia’s national school of music...
5	tarantellaMily Balakirev		The Russian composer Mily Balakirev said, “Ro...
6	Toccata in C-sharp minorMily Balakirev		Mily, who played a leading role as the coordinator of the Russian Five...
7	DumkaMily Balakirev		Ro... who led the Russian music scene in the late 19th century
8	Nocturne No. 3 in D minorMily Balakirev		Mily—known as the coordinator of the Russian Five—
9	Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 1Mily Balakirev		The Russian composer Mily Balakirev, Ro...
10	PolkaMily Balakirev		A central figure of the Russian nationalist school and of Russia’s...
11	Mazurka No. 2 in C-sharp minorMily Balakirev		Mily Balakirev was a Russian nationalist...
12	Waltz No. 6 in F-sharp minorMily Balakirev		Mily—known as the coordinator of the Russian Five—
13	Along the Volga RiverMily Balakirev		The figure who led the Russian music scene in the late 19th century, “...
14	In the Garden (A Bucolic Etude)Mily Balakirev		A central figure of the Russian Five and the completion of his works…