Alexandre Borodine

Alexandre Porfirievitch Borodine (in), born with Saint-Petersbourg the November 12th 1833 and dead the February 27th 1887 in this same city, was a Compositeur, Chimiste and Russian Médecin .

Biography

Borodine is the natural son of Prince Louka Guédianov and the girl of a troupier Avdotia Antonova. His/her father made declare the child by one of his servants, Porphiri Borodine, in accordance with the use of the time. Lastly, it took care that the mother always has the means of ensuring their child a comfortable life and solids studies.

Self-educated, the young Alexandre learns how to play of very good hour of the Flûte then Piano and Violoncelle with a comrade, Mihail Shchiglev. As of the thirteen years age, it composes a Concerto for flute and piano then a Trio for two violins and violoncello . His/her parents intend it for a career of doctor and it is registered with faculty at the fifteen years age. In 1854, after six years of studies, it is engaged at the hospital of the Territorial Army but too sensitive to the wounds, it obtains a post of professor with the Military academy of chemistry where it will prove to be a large scientist. Thanks to its studies and with many congresses, it will on the occasion often to travel to Europe (Brussels, Heidelberg, Genoa, Rome, Paris…). It is during these voyages that it becomes acquainted with many scholars, and will collaborate thereafter with some of them. In 1861, it meets his future wife, Ekatérina Sergéievna. She makes him discover Schumann, Chopin, Liszt. Together, they Mannheim will discover the work to of Wagner.

In 1862, Borodine composes a Quintette in minor C . They is at that time that it joint with the famous Groupe of the Five. While sharing the fundamental ideas of the group, it appeared less hostile than its school-fellows with the Germanic influence on the Russian Musique.

In December 1862, it begins the writing of its Symphonie nº 1 in major E flat , which it will complete in 1867. It does not receive warm welcome.

It will begin the composition of its Symphonie nº 2 in so minor in 1869. Nevertheless it feels predestined for the opera and the idea of the Prince Igor makes his way. Borodine continues its scientific career in addition. In 1877, it visits the laboratories of a certain number of German universities. It meets on this occasion Franz Liszt with Weimar. Three years later, in 1880, Liszt gives with great success the Symphonie nº 1 in major E flat . To thank it, Borodine will dedicate its Symphonic poem to him In the steppes of the Central Asia , part very famous which was immediately a resounding and durable success.

After deep ethnological and historical studies, it started the drafting of the opera Prince Igor (from which the famous Dances polovtsiennes are extracted), completed after his death by Alexandre Glazounov and Rimski-Korsakov and created with the Theater Mariinsky de Saint-Pétersbourg on October 23rd (November 4th) 1890.

In March 1881, Borodine is deeply affected by the death of Moussorgski. Its physical status is degraded. He suffers from several heart attacks and even from the cholera. Its work, it, starts to be diffused in Europe. It still returns visit in Liszt during the autumn 1885. The following year it starts the composition of a third symphony, the Symphonie in the minor who will remain unfinished. With the beginning of the year 1887, it continues the composition of its opera the Prince Igor , in particular the opening and the chorus of the Russian prisoners of the second act. February 27th 1887, it attends a masked ball organized by the professors of the academy. It crumbles, victim of an infarction. His wife will survive to him only five months.

Musical work

In all and for all, Borodine will have in the long term carried out “only” two string quartets (1879 and 1881), some melodies and two symphonies (1867 and 1869). But the main work of Borodine remains its opera the Prince Igor , begun in 1869 and unfinished with its death, eighteen years later. It is Rimski-Korsakov, helped of Glazounov, which finished it. It is in this opera that one finds famous the Danses polovtsiennes .

The Symphonie nº 1 in major E flat takes as a starting point the heroic Symphonie of Beethoven although it is typically Russian.

The Symphonie nº 2 in so minor is also called “epic”. Borodine spent seven years to carry out it in the long term. There composed it with materials remained unutilised for its opera.

In the steppes of the Central Asia , symphonic poem, is also a famous work. It should not however make forget its quartets (most known being probably the String quartet nº 2 in major D ) nor its melodies. Moreover, Borodine, violoncellist except par, composed in 1860 a Sonate for piano and violoncello in so minor . As for its work for the piano, it is restricted with a Petite continuation in do# minor and with a Scherzo in major A flat, composed in 1885. To finish, one will mention a Sextuor with cords , written in 1860.

Lastly, it is interesting to note that Borodine qualified him even of “type-setter of Sunday”, so much it was monopolized by its work and its family obligations. Its professional entourage regretted sometimes its implication as regards music, while Borodine sometimes complained to be able to compose only during the winter, when its health did not enable him to exert as a professor. Sometimes as a joke, his/her friends greeted it by one “I hope that you are badly”, thus meaning their musical encouragements to him.

Work scientific

Borodine published important articles of chemistry. Particularly, its research on the Aldehydes. In 1861, Borodine discovers the aldolic Condensation, important chemical reaction in organic chemistry, and another chemical reaction known today under the name of Réaction of Borodine-Hunsdiecker. In 1872, and it took part in the foundation of a medical school for women.

References

“the small encyclopedia of the music”, ED. glance
“illustrated Guide of the music”, ED. Beech
Pierre E. Barber, Booklet French version of the “String Four-bit byte No 2 - cello sonata - piano quintet in C minor”, interpreted by the Pražák Four-bit byte and Jaromír Klepác, ED. Praga Digitals, cat# PRD 250.139,06/2000

External bonds

Simple: Alexander Borodin

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