Alexander Borodin

(1883-1887)
(Bore-o-dean)

Alexander Borodin was a man of many talents. He attended the Medical-Surgical Academy in Saint Petersburg where he studied medicine and chemistry. After graduation, he worked at military hospital for a year and then spent three years studying chemistry in Germany and Italy. In 1862, Borodin returned to Russia and became a professor at the Imperial Medical-Surgical Academy. He spent his career devoted to research and education. He made several important discoveries including a chemical reaction which is named after him. Borodin believed in education for women and founded the School of Medicine for Women where he taught classes. Upon his return to Russia in 1862, Borodin met the composer Mily Balakirev and began studying music with him. Borodin was a cellist who enjoyed playing chamber music. He began writing music, but treated it as a hobby, working on compositions only in his spare time or when he was sick. He completed two symphonies, several chamber works, and a tone poem In the Steppes of Central Asia. His opera, Prince Igor, was left unfinished at the time of his death; it was completed by Rimsky-Korsakov. Although not as prolific as other composers due to his job, Borodin’s few works have a unique and exotic style that evoke Russia.

Important Works

• Symphony No. 1

• Symphony No. 2

• In the Steppes of Central Asia

• Prince Igor

• String Quartet No. 2

Further Listening