What is Alexander Borodin?
[[File:Borodin CuiIP 119 600.JPG|thumb|right|Alexander Borodin]] '''Alexander Porfir'yevich Borodin''' (born [[St. Petersburg]] October 12th 1833; died St. Petersburg February 27 1887) was a [[Russia]]n composer. Like many Russian composers of the [[19th century]] he was an [[wikt:amateur|amateur]] musician. His main job was [[Professor]] of [[Chemistry]] at the University of St Petersburg. He had to compose in his spare time. When he was ill he had more leisure to write music. He used to tell his friends: “Please do not say: ‘I hope you are well’, please say: ‘I hope you are ill’”. Borodin’s most famous [[opera]] is called ''Prince Igor''. He wrote many fine [[song]]s, [[chamber music]] and [[orchestra]]l music, including two [[symphony|symphonies]]. The [[Nocturne]] from his [[String quartet]] no 2 is especially well-known. In his music, Borodin showed Russian power and the heoric characters. His main means of expression was melody. When he was young he learned French, Swedish and English, but later Italian. Borodin died of a [[heart attack]]. {{bio-stub}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Borodin, Alexander}} [[Category:1833 births]] [[Category:1887 deaths]] [[Category:Russian chemists]] [[Category:Deaths from myocardial infarction]] [[Category:People from Saint Petersburg]] [[Category:Romantic composers]] [[Category:Russian composers]]