1. Nationalism Era-(Mid Romantic) The Mighty Handful, also known as The Five, The Balakirev Circle, and The New Russian School, refers to a group of prominent 19th century composers active in Saint Petersburg, Russia who strived to produce a specifically Russian kind of classical music, rather than one that imitated older European music or relied on European-style conservatory training. Other composers turned to folk music From their countries for inspiration – Smetana, Dvorak.

2. Composers in Romantic Era Bedrich Smetana 1824 -1884 Father of Czech music Went deaf 10 years before he died. He married twice and had 6 daughters. Was a choir master, teacher and composer. Famous for the tone poem/symphonic poem - The Moldau

3. Composers in Nationalism Era Modest Mussorgsky-One of the Mighty Handful Born in Russia in 1839 died in St. Petersburg, Russia at age 42. He was introduced to music by his mother. He showed great talent in playing the piano and began writing music as a young boy. He came from a wealthy family of aristocrats so he was always well educated. He was an elite army officer, though he later abandoned the military and became a clerk for the government. When he left his job to compose music, he became very poor and developed a serious drinking problem. Much of his music was criticized and recomposed by others. Alcoholism destroyed him and died shortly after is birthday. Pictures at an Exhibition

4. Mussorgsky’s in Russia

5. Composers in Nationalism Era Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov – One of the Mighty Handful Born in 1844 in Russia died in Russia at age 64. He was a huge influence on Russian music. He was born into a wealthy aristocratic family He entered the navy at age 12, where he remained for 6 years as an officer. He was naturally talented with music and played the piano very well. He had very little education in music, though he was offered a job to teach at a music conservatory (college). He was in trouble with the law, and he briefly lost his job, because he supported revolutionary students. He taught many great composers including Prokofiev and Stravinsky. Much of his music was banned until after his death. Flight of the Bumblebee

6. Composers in Nationalism Era Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky Born in Russia in died in St. Petersburg, Russia at age 53. Father was a miner and mother died when he was just 14, which was really hard on him. He studied law, which he hated. So he decided to go into music. His compositions were originally rejected by people as unplayable and ridiculous, though now they are masterpieces. He married an unbalanced, insane music student, Antonina, and they later separated. He suffered from depression. He died shortly after his Symphony was performed. The Nutcracker Suite Ballet Swan Lake Sleeping Beauty

7. Tchaikovsky’s Ballet’s The Nutcracker—Clara and the Nutcracker Prince

8. Tchaikovsky’s Ballet’s The Nutcracker—Mouse King

9. Tchaikovsky’s Ballet’s The Nutcracker—Mother Ginger

10. Tchaikovsky Ballet’s Swan Lake

11. Tchaikovsky’s Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty

12. Composers in Nationalism Era Antonín Dvořák Born in 1841 in Bohemia died in Prague at age 63. He is the greatest of all the Czech composers. He was a butcher boy in a small village and was sent away to study music. He played the violin though he never made much $ and was very poor. He married one of his former students, and got a job as a church organist. He was a cheerful man who loved the countryside and had a passion for trains. He was fond of the drink, which earned him the nickname, “old borax” He moved to New York to teach though he was very homesick. He was poor and sold his music for very little $. He died suddenly and a national day of mourning was declared. New World Symphony – No. 9