1820-1914

THE ROMANTIC ERA

Romantic Music in Russia

The Mighty Handful Pytor Ilych Tchaikovsky

The Mighty Handful aka “The Five” - Nationalism

• A group of composers from Saint Petersburg, Russia, met as young men (in their 20s) and came together between 1856-1870 • Goal: create specifically RUSSIAN music• Opposed to imitating older European music• Opposed to conservatory training

• Led by Mily Balakirev (organized and taught members)• Most famous members: Modest Mussorgsky, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov• Other members: Cesar Cui, Alexander Borodin• All worked together, improving each others music, gaining fame.• Name “Mighty Handful” adopted after 1867, in response to critics mocking a press release that praised “Mr. Balakirev’s Slavic Concert”

•MUSICAL STYLE based on Russian Nationalism• Folk songs, inspired by village dances, church bells, etc.• Distinct use of harmonies: Shifting keys• “Incorrect” use of intervals: parallel fifths and fourths• Unique scales creating “strange” melodies (“Whole tone,” “octatonic”)

Mily Balakirev – 1837-1910• Known for playing piano, composing, and being a nationalist• The only professional musician in the group• Started piano lessons from his mother at age

4• Was conducting Mozart music at age 14• Important teacher for amateur members• Even influenced conservatory musicians

• Listening Example: Islamey• Piano solo• Inspired by the beauty in nature of the

Northern part of Russia (Caucasia) and local folk musicians (including a Prince!)• Used as a favorite showpiece for Franz Liszt

Modest Mussorgsky – 1839-1881• Joined the Mighty Handful in 1857

• Wealthy family, always studied piano (lessons from self-taught mother), but went into military service at age 13• Cadet’s School was brutal, starting point

for his alcoholism

• Met Alexander Borodin through military in 1856, started “musical career” as pianist• Never formally studied music: Most of his fame comes from other composers making arrangements of his music• Health failed (probably from alcohol) and died young

• Listening Examples:Pictures at an Exhibition- 1874 Orchestral version by Maurice Ravel (1922)• Night on Bald Mountain - 1867

Third version, used in 1940s Disney Film

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov- 1844-1908• Joined the Mighty Handful in 1861• Master of orchestration• Edited and arranged much of Mussorgsky’s music• Had a passion for the ocean; real career in the Navy• He came from a wealthy family that had

served in the military and navy for many generations

• Took piano lessons casually, “lacked interest”• Developed a love for music through orchestra concerts and operas• Mentored and taught (perhaps forced) by Balakirev to continue to try to write music, despite lack of formal training.• His music was well-received, he gained fame, and remembered Balakirev fondly

• Listening Example:Flight of the

Bumble Bee

from his Opera, Tale of Tsar Saltan, 1899an “Orchestral Interlude”

Cesar Cui – 1835-1918

•Was at the meeting that formed the Mighty Handful in 1856•Was always a music critic and composer as a side-life• Dedicated life as army officer, teacher of fortifications• Knew four languages growing up (French, Russian, Polish, Lithuanian.) • More studious, learned some formal music theory and piano, involved with famous opera committees• Studied Chopin music to learn to

play piano

Listening Example: Quatre Morceaux, Op 22: No 3. Nocturne (18830

Alexander Borodin – 1833-1887• Joined the Mighty Handful in 1862• Father was a noble man from Northern Russia• Received a good education, pursued science• Became a chemistry teacher• Developed courses for women to take!

• Studied piano and cello as a boy, received music lessons from Balakirev later in life• First symphony was conducted by Balakirev• Second symphony was edited by Rimsky-Korsakov• Wrote chamber music (string quartets) that The Mighty Handful did not like very much• Generally in poor health, died of a heart attack while attending a ball!

• Listening Example:Symphony

No 2 in B minor (original in 1877, made famous in 1879)

Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky – 1840-1893• Incredibly diverse composer:• Symphonies, operas, ballets, instrumental and

chamber music.

• Incredibly famous music:• 1812 Overture, The Nutcracker Suite

• 4:00, 10:00, 12:26…2:50, 5:23, 7:10, 11:30, 12:45, 15:15, 21:05

•Was inspired (but not always approved of) by the Mighty Handful• Against his families wishes, put himself through a rigorous music conservatory from 1862-1865• Never emotionally secure• Personal crisis, periods of depression, disastrous

marriage and failed relationships• Sudden death at age 53, some speculate suicide.