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Alexander Borodin




Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin (, ''Aleksandr Porfir'evič Borodin'') (31 October/, his opera '' Prince Igor '', and for later providing the musical inspiration for the musical '' Kismet ''.


LIFE AND PROFESSION

Borodin was born in Saint Petersburg , the illegitimate son of a Georgian noble (Saeklesio Aznauri, Baron-Vidam), Luka Simonis dze Gedevanishvili, who had him registered instead as the son of one of his Serfs , Porfiry Borodin. As a boy he received a good education, including Piano lessons, but he was eventually to earn a doctorate in medicine at the Medico–Surgical Academy, the later home to Ivan Pavlov , and to pursue a career in chemistry (just as his comrade César Cui would do in the field of Military Fortification s). As a result of his work in chemistry and difficulties in his home-life, Borodin was not as prolific in writing music as many of his contemporaries were - hence his own description of himself as a "Sunday composer." He died during a festive ball, where he was participating with much vigor; he suddenly collapsed from Heart Failure . He was interred in Tikhvin Cemetery at the Alexander Nevsky Monastery , in St. Petersburg, Russia .


CHEMICAL CAREER

In his chemical profession Borodin gained great respect, being particularly noted for his work on Aldehyde s