Balakirev, Mili Alexeievich

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Balakirev, Mili Alexeievich (1837–1910) Russian composer. He was one of the Russian Five dedicated to promoting Russian nationalism in 19th-century music. To this end, he incorporated Russian folk idioms into his compositional style. His best-known compositions are two symphonies, Islamey (1869) and incidental music to King Lear (1858–61). He founded the St Petersburg Free School of Music in 1862.

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