Mily Balakirev, Russian pianist and composer (d. 1910)
Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev (Russian: Милий Алексеевич Балакирев, pronounced [ˈmʲilʲɪj ɐlʲiekˈsʲie(j)evʲitɕ bɐˈlakʲirʲief]) was a seminal Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, born on 2 January 1837 (or 21 December 1836, according to the Old Style calendar) and passing away on 29 May 1910 (16 May Old Style). He is primarily celebrated for his fervent promotion of musical nationalism within Russian classical music and his crucial mentorship of other prominent composers, most notably Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Balakirev embarked on his career as a pivotal figure, profoundly extending the innovative fusion of traditional Russian folk music with experimental classical practices that had been initiated by his esteemed predecessor, Mikhail Glinka. Through his unique compositional approach, Balakirev meticulously developed distinct musical patterns designed to overtly express a deep sense of nationalistic feeling, aiming to forge a truly Russian school of composition.
However, Balakirev's significant early influence experienced a notable interruption. Following a severe nervous breakdown and a subsequent period of sabbatical from the musical scene, he eventually returned to classical music. Despite his undeniable talent and earlier revolutionary ideas, he did not regain the same widespread public recognition or wield the same level of pervasive influence he had commanded during his formative years.
The Mighty Handful: Orchestrating a National Sound
In the vibrant intellectual and artistic climate of the late 1850s and early 1860s, Balakirev, in close collaboration with the influential critic and fellow nationalist Vladimir Stasov, played an instrumental role in assembling a groundbreaking collective of composers. This group, now famously known as The Five (also referred to as "The Mighty Handful" or "Moguchaya Kuchka"), comprised Balakirev himself alongside Alexander Borodin, César Cui, Modest Mussorgsky, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Their shared ambition was to create a distinctively Russian classical music, drawing inspiration from folk traditions, national history, and oriental themes, rather than strictly adhering to Western European academic conventions.
- Balakirev's Unique Role: For a significant period, Balakirev stood as the only professionally trained musician within The Five. The other members, while immensely talented, were largely self-taught amateurs with diverse careers outside music – Borodin was a chemist, Cui an army engineer, Mussorgsky a civil servant, and Rimsky-Korsakov a naval officer.
- Imparting Musical Beliefs: This unique dynamic positioned Balakirev as the undisputed mentor and spiritual leader of the group. He tirelessly imparted his profound musical beliefs and aesthetic principles to his protégés, fostering their compositional efforts and shaping their artistic vision. These core tenets, emphasizing originality, Russian character, and a rejection of overly academic forms, continued to fundamentally underlie their thinking and compositional output long after Balakirev officially distanced himself from the group in 1871.
- Dictatorial Yet Effective Methods: While Balakirev's methods could be perceived as dictatorial at times, often involving strong opinions on the direction of his students' works, the tangible results of his exacting influence were undeniable. His guidance directly contributed to the creation of several masterpieces that firmly established the individual reputations of these composers, as well as their collective renown as the pioneering force behind Russian nationalism in music.
Mentorship Beyond The Five: Shaping Tchaikovsky's Masterpieces
Balakirev's significant mentorship extended beyond The Five to another giant of Russian music, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, at two critical junctures in the latter's career:
- Romeo and Juliet (1868–69): Balakirev provided extensive guidance and critique during the composition of Tchaikovsky's celebrated fantasy-overture, Romeo and Juliet. His suggestions, particularly regarding the structure and thematic development of the work, proved invaluable, helping Tchaikovsky to refine this early masterpiece into the powerful and enduring composition we know today.
- Manfred Symphony (1882–85): Decades later, Balakirev once again offered his insights and encouragement for Tchaikovsky's dramatic Manfred Symphony. This collaboration underscored Balakirev's continued dedication to promoting grand-scale Russian symphonic works, even as his own public profile began to diminish.
Balakirev as a Composer: A Paradox of Genius and Patience
As a composer, Balakirev presented a peculiar paradox. While undeniably inventive and influential, he was notorious for his extraordinarily slow pace in completing major works. It was not uncommon for him to begin a composition and take many years, even decades, to bring it to fruition. A striking example is his First Symphony, which he commenced in 1864 but did not finally complete until a remarkable 33 years later, in 1897.
The Enduring Legacy of Islamey
An notable exception to this pattern of lengthy gestation periods was his captivating oriental fantasy for solo piano, Islamey. Composed with unusual swiftness in 1869, this piece stands as a testament to his vibrant originality and technical prowess. Islamey rapidly gained immense popularity among virtuoso pianists worldwide, celebrated for its dazzling technical demands and exotic, evocative melodies. It remains one of the most challenging and frequently performed works in the piano repertoire, securing Balakirev's place in the virtuosic tradition.
Interestingly, many of the groundbreaking musical ideas and thematic motifs that are now commonly associated with the works of Rimsky-Korsakov or Borodin often originated in Balakirev's own compositions. These nascent ideas were frequently premiered and informally shared by Balakirev himself at the intimate gatherings of The Five, where they served as inspiration and springboards for collective discussion and individual development. However, Balakirev's inherent perfectionism and his painfully slow pace in completing and publishing his works for public dissemination ultimately deprived him of the rightful credit for much of his profound inventiveness. Pieces that could have garnered significant success and established his reputation had they been completed and released in the musically formative 1860s and 1870s often made a much smaller impact when they finally emerged years later, by which time other composers had already developed and popularized similar concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mily Balakirev
- Who was Mily Balakirev?
- Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, best known for championing musical nationalism and for his pivotal role in mentoring "The Five" (The Mighty Handful), a group of influential Russian composers.
- What was Balakirev's main contribution to music?
- His primary contribution was his relentless promotion of a distinctively Russian national style in classical music, building upon the foundations laid by Mikhail Glinka. He also fostered the careers of several key composers, including the members of The Five and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
- What was "The Five" (The Mighty Handful)?
- The Five was a collective of Russian composers – Balakirev, Alexander Borodin, César Cui, Modest Mussorgsky, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov – who aimed to create a nationalist school of Russian music, drawing inspiration from folk songs, history, and a rejection of Western European academicism.
- How did Balakirev influence Tchaikovsky?
- Balakirev significantly influenced Tchaikovsky at critical junctures, notably by providing constructive feedback and guidance on the structure and development of his famous fantasy-overture Romeo and Juliet (1868–69) and later on the Manfred Symphony (1882–85).
- What is Balakirev's most famous composition?
- His most renowned work is the oriental fantasy for solo piano, Islamey, widely celebrated among virtuoso pianists for its extreme technical difficulty and vibrant musicality. Despite his slow compositional pace on other works, Islamey was composed quickly and remains a staple of the piano repertoire.