Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin is a great Russian composer, scientist and chemist. Throughout his life, he successfully combined these two completely different hobbies. And in this and in another area, he achieved unprecedented success, leaving behind a deep mark in both music and chemistry. The biography of Alexander Porfirievich Borodin is a life story of a versatile, truly genius person.
Childhood
The origin of Alexander Borodin is unusual for our time, but typical of that era. His father was Luka Stepanovich Gedianov, a 62-year-old Georgian prince. Mother - Avdotya Konstantinovna Antonova, 20-year-old daughter of a military man. Born on November 12, 1833, an illegitimate child, he received the middle name and last name of the prince's valet, Porfiry Borodin, as he was recorded as the son of Porfiry and his wife.
After 10 years, the prince died, having previously issued his "serf" free and having bought a big house with his mother. In addition, his mother was married to a military doctor.
Education
The mother of the future composer and chemist paid a lot of attention to her son's education. The best teachers studied with him, so he received an excellent education. From early childhood, his musical talent became apparent. Alexander was taught to play the piano and flute, and later on the cello. With great enthusiasm, he studied music and even composed. His first works by the efforts of his mother were published, the world learned about the 16-year-old composer. Along with music, he began to get involved in chemistry. He made all kinds of experiments, terrifying his mother.
When the boy was 17 years old, it was necessary to continue his studies at the educational institution. But serfdom did not give Alexander the opportunity to study. For a large bribe, the mother bought the merchant title. He was not too high, but he gave the right to study at the Medical and Surgical Academy, where Borodin successfully entered. In the process of studying at the academy, he proved himself to be a very capable and promising student. His mentor was Professor N. N. Zinin. Training took him a lot of time. However, Borodin does not leave music lessons. He composes a lot, attends concerts.
Foreign business trip
When his studies at the academy were finished, Alexander Borodin was appointed to the post of resident at the Military Overland Hospital. It was there that he met M.P. Mussorgsky, who was being treated. In addition, he works as an assistant at the Department of General Therapy and Pathology.
In 1958, Borodin defended his dissertation, as a result of which he received a doctorate in medicine.
In the fall, Alexander Porfiryevich goes to Germany. There, at the University of Heidelberg, he improves his knowledge of chemistry. On a business trip abroad, Borodin talks a lot with young scientists, including Mendeleev, Sechenov, Botkin and others. Later he goes to France, Switzerland, Holland.
Personal life
On his return to Heidelberg in 1861, he met the pianist Ekaterina Sergeevna Protopopova, who was undergoing treatment in Germany. She again aroused Borodin's interest in music, which was beginning to fade. Soon, due to poor health, she goes to Italy. Alexander Porfiryevich accompanies his bride. In Italy, he communicates with chemical scientists at the University of Pisa, who give him the opportunity to work in the laboratory. In addition, Borodin is a regular visitor to opera and symphony concerts. At this time he composes instrumental works.
Returning to Russia, Borodin left the bride in Moscow, and he went to Petersburg, where he was appointed to the post of associate professor at the Medical and Surgical Academy. A small salary, lack of favorable housing conditions forced Borodin to postpone the wedding. It took place only in the spring of 1863. His family experienced material difficulties throughout his life, which forced Alexander to work hard - to teach, to do translations.
Borodin composer
In the fall of 1862, Borodin met M. Balakirev, who at that time was in charge of the composer group “The Mighty Handful”, which included N. Rimsky-Korsakov, M. Mussorgsky, Ts. Cui, critic V. Stasov.
Balakirev immediately noticed the originality of Borodin's musical talent. He invited him to seriously engage in composing a symphony. This composition lasted five years, as the composer was too busy with scientific, teaching and public work. The first symphony of Alexander Borodin was successfully performed in St. Petersburg under the direction of Balakirev. This inspired the composer to create the next, Second Symphony, work on which lasted for seven years. At the same time, he begins to write the opera Prince Igor.
The Polovtsian dances of Alexander Porfirevich Borodin, due to their distinctive flavor, will subsequently become one of the brightest and most performed numbers of this opera. He worked on it for eighteen years. Borodin-composer was very demanding of his work. As a scientist, he did not tolerate amateurism in his writings. His music is distinguished by an individual composer style, which is characterized by an appeal to Russian and oriental melody, epic images, a harmonious form. Unfortunately, the disorder of home life, the constant illnesses of his wife, scientific and social work constantly distracted him from practicing Borodin's composition. That is why the composition of works progressed rather slowly.
Borodin the chemist and public figure
Career Borodin chemist was very successful. In 1864, he became an ordinary professor. Since 1874 he has been managing the chemical laboratory. In 1877, Alexander Porfirevich became an academician of the Medical and Surgical Academy. He is one of the founders of the Higher Women's Courses. In addition, Borodin does a lot of public work. He became one of the founders of the Russian Chemical Society, one of the leaders of the Russian Musical Society, worked in the Society of Russian Doctors. Alexander Borodin is the creator and leader of the choir and orchestra at the Medical and Surgical Academy, with whom he performed a lot in charity concerts.
Family worries, constant care for a sick wife, excessive loads in work and social activities undermined Borodin's health. During the last year of his life, he was constantly bothered by pain in the heart. Death overtook Alexander Porfirevich February 15, 1887 at the height of the costume party, which he had at his home. He died suddenly, from a broken heart.
Borodin lived a short, but very eventful life. And the music of Alexander Porfirevich Borodin rightfully entered the treasury of world musical culture.