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 time 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 songs, chamber music and orchestral music, including two symphonies and the symphonic poem In the Steppes of Central Asia. The Nocturne from his String quartet no 2 is also very well-known. Borodin was one of five very important Russian composers during the 1800s, who were called The Five. The Five wanted to write classical music in a Russian style.

Borodin worked as a doctor and a chemist and went to medical school. He did a lot of important work in organic chemistry. He also founded the first medical school for women to train to become doctors in Russia, the School of Medicine for Women in Saint Petersburg. He taught there until 1885.

Borodin died of a heart attack.

 References 

Category:1833 births
Category:1887 deaths
Category:Russian chemists
Category:Deaths from myocardial infarction
Category:People from Saint Petersburg
Category:Romantic composers
Category:Russian composers