NPR World of Opera
Prince Igor, by Alexander Borodin

Alexander Borodin's works are just a little more varied than those of most composers. For example, in the 1850's and '60's, he wrote a "Quartet for Flute, Oboe, Viola and Cello"; and, an article called, "Arsenic Acid with Phosphoric Acid in Chemical and Toxicological Behavior." He wrote a "Quintet in F Minor for Two Violins, Viola and Two Cellos"; and, "Report on the Action of Ethyl Iodide on Hydrobenzanide and Amanine and Constitution of these Compounds."

See, Borodin wasn't a full-time composer. He was actually a sort of musical hobbyist. His main profession, to which he devoted himself heart and soul, was as a chemist. He was Full Professor and Chairman of Chemistry at the St. Petersburg Medical-Surgical Institute.

So, not surprisingly, a quick scan of Borodin's musical works finds a large percentage that are listed as "unfinished," or "abandoned." His musical colleagues were among the most famous in Russia: Rimsky-Korsakov, Balakirev, Mussorgsky and Glazunov. They extolled Borodin's genius and urged him to compose more. But he didn't listen. The lure of those test-tubes and petrie dishes was just too strong, and he left those friends to complete many of his most famous compositions after his death.

This week's opera, "Prince Igor," is one of those - and, unfinished or not, it's probably Borodin's most familiar work. Certainly, it's the souce of his single, most famous piece: "The Polovtsian Dances." Beyond that, the stunning score contains some of the most exotic and spectacular music to be found in any opera - even the ones by "full-time" composers. Not bad for a guy who never even quit his "day job." This week, on NPR World of Opera with Steve Curwood, we've got a production that matches the spectacle of the opera, and then some, from Houston Grand Opera. So tune in, and you'll find out that "digital special effects" aren't always visual!

LINKS:

Houston Grand Opera
More on Borodin from the BBC
Synopsis of Prince Igor