Alexander Borodin

 

Alexander Borodin was born in Saint Petersburg in 1833.  He was the illegitimate son of a Prince, who had him registered instead as the son of one of his serfs. As a boy he received a good education, including piano lessons. He eventually went on to earn a doctorate in medicine at the Medico–Surgical Academy, the later home to Ivan Pavlov, and then pursued a career in chemistry. Borodin was predominantly a highly skilled organic chemist, while his composing was only a part-time hobby which he had largely taught himself.  Borodin did not spend as much time in writing music as many of his contemporaries did, nor did he produce as many compositions. Thus, he described himself as a "Sunday composer." He died  in 1887 during a festive ball, where he was participating with much vigor and suddenly collapsed from heart failure.

Borodin's fame outside the Russian Empire was made possible during his lifetime by Franz Liszt.  He was a member of the group of composers called The Five, who were dedicated to producing a specifically Russian kind of art music. His music is noted for its strong lyricism and rich harmonies. Along with some influences from Western composers, his music exudes also an undeniably Russian flavor. His passionate music and unusual harmonies proved to have a lasting influence on the younger French composers Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel.

Part of the Scherzo movement and the Nocturne movement are both used in the musical Kismet. In 1954, Borodin was posthumously awarded a Tony Award for this show.

The String Quartet No. 2  is in four movements:

  1. Allegro moderato in D major and cut time
  2. Scherzo. Allegro in F major and 3/4 time
  3. Notturno (Nocturne): Andante in A major and 3/4 time
  4. Finale: Andante — Vivace in D major and 2/4 time

The quartet was written in 1881. The piece is dedicated to Borodin’s wife and was written for the 20th anniversary of the date on which they declared their love for each other.  The first movement can be described as a serenade, a young man’s passionate appeal to his beloved.  The Nocturne is like a love duet.