The Mighty Handful (The Five)

1. Mili Balakirev (1836/37-1910)

A) Son of a humble public official
B) Dedicated himself to Glinka's dream of a national music that would draw its inspiration from Russian sources.
C) Serves as a teacher and mentor to the other members of the group
D) Organizes "The Mighty Handful" in 1856.
E) Organizes a trip down the Volga to collect folk songs in 1858.
F) Is the least significant composer of "The Five."  His most famous work is "Islamey," a fantasy for the piano.

2. Cezar Cui (1835-1918) Photo

A) Trained as a military engineer.
B) Was the leading music critic among "The Mighty Handful."
C) Parents were French.  His music is called less Russian than that of the other members of "The Mighty Handful."
D) Works.

i. "Little Tragedies" (Operas based on Pushkin's dramas)
ii. "The Captain's Daughter" (Opera based on a Pushkin novel)
iii. "Prisoner of the Caucasus"
iv. Children's operas: "Puss in Boots," "Ivan the Fool" and others.

3. Alexander Borodin (1833-1887) Photo

A) Taught himself the violin.
B) A talented chemist and doctor.
C) First member of the group to achieve international recognition.
D) Best known for his opera "Prince Igor'"

4. Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) Portrait

A) Similar to Pushkin in that he was greatly influenced by folk tales and songs that he heard from his peasant nurse/nanny.
B) Always interested in peasant life, ways.
C) At first he was looked down upon by other members of "The Mighty Handful."   Called "a perfect idiot" by Balakirev.
D) Goes to Moscow in 1859.  Comes to see Moscow as the true repository of Russian culture and tradition.
E) Tried to make his music imitate speech, the sounds of nature, and the world around him.
F) Dies an alcoholic in 1881.
G) Works

i. "Boris Godunov" (Opera based on Pushkin's drama)
ii. "Khovanshchina" (Another opera set in the "Time of Troubles."
iii. "Night on Bald Mountain"
iv. "Pictures at an Exhibition"

a. Promenade
b. Gnome
c. The Old Castle
d. Tuileries
e. Bydlo
f. Ballet of the Little Chicks
g. Two Jews, one rich, one poor
h. Market at Limoges
i. Catacombs
j. With the Dead in a Dead Language
k. Hut of Baba Yaga
l. Great Gates of Kiev

5. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) photo

A) Born to old nobility.
B) Studies in Naval Academy
C) Master of orchestration: orchestrated the works of others.
D) Also very fond of folk music.
E) Works

i. "The Snow Maiden"
ii. " Sadko"
iii. "Tsar Saltan" (Source of "Flight of the Bumblebee")
iv. "Sheherazade"
v. "Golden Cockerel"