The Mighty Five: Russian Composers Quiz

The Mighty Five

• Group of Russian composers who aimed to create a unique Russian musical identity.
• Group members worked collaboratively, suggesting changes and alterations to each others' scores
• They explored Russian folk music in their work.

Modest Mussorgsky

• Lived a chaotic and heavy-drinking life.
• His music is more grounded and earthier compared to other members of the group.
• Composed music inspired by Russian folk stories and legends.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

• Incorporated folk melodies and Western musical styles.
• Explored Russian themes in his works.
• Famous for the "Flight of the Bumblebee" from "The Tale of Tsar Saltan" opera.

Alexander Borodin

• A chemist who wrote music during weekends.
• Romantic style, notably known for his lively choral music.
• Spent 18 years working on the opera "Prince Igor" and finished it with Rimsky-Korsakov's help.

César Cui

• Composed operas and many songs for children.
• His music was inspired by Russian folk tales and folklore.

The Tale of Tsar Saltan

• A magical opera with a story about romance and deception.
• Features the "Flight of the Bumblebee" music piece.
• The opera depicts Prince Gvidon's transformation into an insect by the swan-bird.

Prince Igor

• Opera with 18 years of work by Borodin and completed by Rimsky-Korsakov.
• Follows the story of a Russian Prince captured and taken to a desert camp by the Polovetsian people
• Famous for its Polovetsian dances, known for their energetic leaps and twirls.

Mily Balakirev

• Leader of the Mighty Five.
• Encouraged others but had difficulty finishing his own compositions.
• Important figure in the development of Russian music.