Born: 12 November 1833, St. Peterburg, Russia
Died: 27 February 1887, St. Peterburg, Russia

Borodin, Alexander
Borodin was the illegitimate son of a prince and his servant from St. Peterburg. He became a chemist and physical scientist. His life as a musician was always secondary to a distinguished scientific career and some of his finest compositions were written sporadically over long periods of time.

With Rimsky-Korsakov and Mussorgsky, he was one of "The Mighty Five" - the principal nationalist composers in late 19th century Russia . On the path of Glinka, they studied Russian folk music and composed with elements from folk tunes, yet they never quoted complete folk tunes. His nationalist works were influenced by folk melodies with the use of astonishing harmonic and rhythmic ideas.

He composed in many forms, including symphonic poems on exotic regions like the Symphonic Sketch "In the Steppes of Central Asia" and "Prince Igor" - his famous opera. This opera was completed, after he died, by Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov. The opera includes the famous Choral Dances and Polovtsian Dances.

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