Borodin, Aleksandr Porfiryevich (1833-87), Russian composer and chemist, one of the first Russian composers to gain an international reputation. Born in Saint Petersburg, he studied medicine and chemistry at the Medico-Surgical Academy in the city and was appointed to the chair of chemistry. Borodin published several important research papers on aldehydes and amarines. In 1872 he helped found a medical school for women. Borodin found time for musical composition as a recreation. His musical studies had begun early, and at the age of 13 he wrote a flute concerto. Later he joined the circle of the Russian composer Mily Balakirev and became known as one of The Five, a group of nationally conscious Russian composers. He composed his initial works, First Symphony in E Flat, in 1862-67. In 1869 he began the opera Prince Igor, working with a libretto based on the epic The Story of Igor's Army, but soon left the opera and incorporated the composed parts in his Second Symphony in B Minor (1869-76). He then resumed work on the opera; still unfinished at his death, it was orchestrated and completed by the Russian composers Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov and Aleksandr Glazunov. Borodin's other major works include the opera The Bogatirs (1867); a musical picture, On the Steppes of Central Asia (1880); two string quartets (1874-79; 1881); and a score of songs.
"Borodin, Aleksandr Porfiryevich," Microsoft (R) Encarta. Copyright (c) 1994 Microsoft Corporation. Copyright (c) 1994 Funk & Wagnall's Corporation.
