‘The Five’

The five musicians committed to finding a national language of music for Russia
‘The Five’
This past December, actors wearing Russian costumes of the 17th century took part in a dress rehearsal of Modest Mussorgsky's opera “Boris Godunov” at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images)
2/22/2012
Updated:
2/24/2012
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Who would have imagined that a chemist, two engineers, a soldier, and a state official would decisively mark the history of Russian music? This circle of composers, which has come to be known as “The Five” started in 1856 and lasted until 1870.

Self-taught, they demonstrated that cooperation, intuition, enthusiasm, and a simple desire to learn could lead to brilliant composing.

Why ‘The Five’?

Until the late 19th century, popular music in Russia was considered too lowbrow to inspire serious composers. Russian composers had to resort to the official style, internationally recognized, of Italian, French, and German heritage.

Russian musicians, though, longed for a language of their own, independent of Europe.

Gradually defenders of Russian national art began to emerge, and at the same time, the Western educational system was introduced into the country.

In 1862 the St. Petersburg Conservatory was founded. Its programs formed musicians in the internationally recognized model. Six years later the Moscow Conservatory opened.

Many went to these great schools and became brilliant artists in the European tradition of music. But others, known as “Slavophiles,” took an independent path and followed the flashes that their national identity or their own artistic initiative suggested to them.

When a composer looks at the spirit of his country’s music as regards melodies, harmonies, and particular formal structures, musical nationalism is born.

The Five—or the Great Handful—was one of the leading exponents of Russian musical nationalism, and also a group of unique and charismatic musicians in and of themselves.

The Five, One By One

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Mikhail Glinka, the father of Russian classical music, convinced Mili Balakirev to devote himself entirely to music, because until then he had focused on studying engineering. Today we thank Glinka for his power of conviction.

Mili Balakirev had the deepest knowledge of conventional music in the group and acted as the group’s informal teacher.

Balakirev, was a great promoter of Russian national music, he taught at the Free School of Music in St. Petersburg and published collections of folk songs that served later composers. He believed that technique was an obstacle to the expression. His more outstanding compositions are “Islamey” and his symphonic poem “Tamara.”

Alexander Borodin was a chemist by profession, and having little time to devote to composition, he left many unfinished works that were completed by his peers. His most representative work is the opera “Prince Igor.”

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César Cui received a basic musical education in his youth. He trained as a military engineer. His articles appreciating Russian music made his colleagues of The Five initially approach him. His main function was then to promote Russian music. His compositions, though imbued with sensitivity, did not produce the desired Russian sound. However, one of his most important works is the opera “The Prisoner of the Caucasus.”

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov studied music with private teachers while making a career in the Russian navy. His orchestrations were fresh and bright. He showed interest in national music by arranging music and editing collections of folklore as well as including popular tunes in his compositions. At the age of 27 he taught at the Conservatory of St. Petersburg. He is best known for his operas “Sadko, The Snow Maiden,” and his symphonic work “Scheherazade.”

Modest Mussorgsky is often regarded as the most original of the group. He made a living as an officer of the state and almost everything he learned in music was taught to him by Balakirev. Mussorgsky stayed in his hometown for long periods to soak up the spirit of its people, seeking realism in his music. Two of his most important creations are “Pictures at an Exhibition” and the opera “Boris Godunov.”

Initiative and Originality

Today it seems every profession requires an official title, and if it is true, on the one hand, that this requirement provides some guarantee of professionalism, it limits, on the other hand, the owner of the title, who often settles for his basic education rather than enlarging upon it and enriching it.

The originality of this group continues to inspire musicians today. With little formal education, motivated by their own tastes, perceptions and enthusiasm, they created their own compositional language. Using very special and unique resources, they concentrated on creativity rather than fixed formulas. They feverishly analyzed the great works of their favorite Western composers, making a selective extract of what most attracted the attention of each and compiled popular songs, which were injected in their works. Each member of The Five had his own peculiar national style, which occupied a particular and necessary place within the group.

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