Alexander Borodin

Alexander Porfir'yevich Borodin (born St. Petersburg October 12th 1833; died St. Petersburg February 27 1887) was a Russian composer. Like many Russian composers of the 19th century he was an amateur musician. His main job was Professor of Chemistry at the University of St Petersburg. He had to compose in his spare time. When he was ill he had more leisure to write music. He used to tell his friends: “Please do not say: ‘I hope you are well’, please say: ‘I hope you are ill’”. Borodin’s most famous opera is called Prince Igor. He wrote many fine songs, chamber music and orchestral music, including two symphonies. The Nocturne from his String quartet no 2 is especially well-known. In his music, Borodin showed Russian power and the heoric characters. His main means of expression was melody. When he was young he learned French, Swedish and English, but later Italian.

Borodin died of a heart attack.

Alexander Borodin Media

Portrait of Aleksander Borodin, Russian composer and chemist (1833-1887). Date unknown.
Бородин Александр Порфирьевич в 14-ти летнем возрасте. С портрета, написанного Деньером в 1848 г.
1993 Russian 1 ruble coin commemorating the 160th anniversary of Borodin's birth
Portrait of Borodin by Ilya Repin, 1888
Tomb of Borodin in Tikhvin Cemetery. The musical notation in the background shows themes from "Gliding Dance of the Maidens" from Polovtsian Dances; "Song of the Dark Forest"; and the "Scherzo" theme from Symphony No. 3.