Changing the way you learn

Question	Answer
The Mighty Handful	A group of Russian composers who sought to establish a Russian style. Only one (Balakirev) was professionally trained. Also called the Mighty Fistful or the Russian five.
Mily Balakirev	(1837 - 1910) Wasn't terribly prolific as a writer but acted as the spokesman for the five.
Nikoli Rimski-Korsakov	(1844 - 1908) Professor at Moscow Conservatory. Strawiski's teacher. "My Musical Life" is a book he wrote portraying the formation of the five. His 15 operas are still played in Russia.
Cesar Cui	(1835 - 1918) One of the most prolific of the group but virtually forgotten outside of Russia today. Music critic and a publicist for the group.
Alexander Borodin	(1834 - 1887) A chemical scientist who composed as a hobby. Wrote 3 symphonies including "Prince Igor" and "In the Steps of Central Asia"
Modest Musorgsky	(1839 - 1881) Greatest member of the group. Employed most progressive compositional techniques of the group. Important influence on later composers. Virtuosic piano player. Composed "Pictures at an exhibition" a programmatic suite for an exhibition by Victor Hartmann. Boris Gordunov was his greatest opera (still survives today). The Song and Dance of Death, St John's Night, Bare Mountain.

The Mighty Handful

	Created by mtempleton1 over 11 years ago