The Weekday Chemist: The Training of Aleksandr Borodin

Michael D. Gordin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aleksandr Porfir’evich Borodin (1833-1887) is most commonly recognized today as one of Russia’s most distinguished musical composers, a member of the so-called Mighty Five. He spent his entire career, however, as professor of chemistry at the Medico-Surgical Academy in St. Petersburg. This essay traces Borodin’s biography, and explores the historiographical and personal clashes between his musical and scientific “careers.” Instead of essentializing one of these careers as the “true” one, it argues instead for a focus on Borodin’s preoccupation with proper training in both the sciences and in music.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationArchimedes
PublisherSpringer Nature
Pages137-164
Number of pages28
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

Publication series

NameArchimedes
Volume30
ISSN (Print)1385-0180
ISSN (Electronic)2215-0064

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • History
  • History and Philosophy of Science
  • Philosophy

Keywords

  • Lionel Trilling
  • Musical Activity
  • Musical World
  • Orchestral Music
  • Russian School

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