Russian Composers

Before the 1860’s Russia did not have much influence on the western musical world. It was in that decade that the St. Petersburg conservatory opened, and the “Mighty Five” began to emerge. They consisted of composers: Mussorgsky, Balakirev, Qui, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Borodin. These five composers wanted to create a new style of music that could represent an emerging Russian style. They tried to diverge from the “norm” by doing away with typical developmental procedures, sonata form, and standard harmonic function. Instead they attempted to parallel their music with language. By doing this they could create music specific to their own culture that was very nationalistic. This connection can be seen in many specific pieces of these composers.

Language had a large influence on Mussorgsky’s “Pictures from an Exhibition.” He does so by the rhythmic and melodic shapes he uses, a technique referred to as intonatsiia. This can be heard specifically in the third piece from “Pictures from an Exhibition.” The third one, titled “Dispute d'enfants apres jeux” (Dispute between Children at Play) has a two note sequence that requires. This sounds like children coaxing one another and saying "nah nah nah nah ". Another example of speech can be heard in “La grande nouvelle” (The Market at Limoges.) Mussorgsky uses music in this one to represent a group of women quarreling at the market. He is able to make this vision clear by writing music that sounds like speech, and furthermore, arguing. Balakirev also uses language as an influence in his music, which gives it it’s Russianistic quality. His most famous piece for the piano is Islamey, known for its technically demanding writing. This piece was written after he traveled to Caucasus, a region in Eurasia. Part of the region is in Russia, giving the influence a nationalistic style. He used the influence of Russian folk songs and language to create Islamey.

When discussing the "Mighty Five" it is also important to note Tchaikovsky, who was active around this time. His music contains a nationalistic quality, in that it has a modally influenced melody and harmony, as well as an introspective character. He did not try to follow the styles of the Might Five however. Tchaikovsky was seen as too "academic" for the Might Five. Yet his music is probably the most famous of all to this day, and is one of the first composers to be thought of regarding Russia.