Origins Of Borodin

[allenlondon]

Are there any websites where I could investigate the musical origins of some of Borodin's works, specifically the 3rd movement in d for strings.

I know that he 'borrowed' (improved, lifted, whatever) many of his themes from Russian folk music, and I was wondering about the origins of that particular piece.

A

[Mozz71]

Sounds like a Dwarven name from Tolkien's works to me.

[The Builder]

I don't know that particular one, Allen, but you could start with "The Polovtsian Dances" (Russian folk dances.)
They're featured in his opera "Prince Igor."

Another was in "Kismet". Recorded later by just about everybody as "Stranger in Paradise".

[Mamyalynne]

Do you mean the 3rd movement of the 2nd String Quartet?

The Nocturne we all know as - "And This Is My Beloved".

[Buenchico]

So you've been listening to Classic FM recently too ;-)

I can find nothing to suggest that Borodin 'borrowed' the theme, despite checking out the sources below where I would have expected to find any such reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_Quartet_No._2_(Borodin)#Third_movement

https://blogs.loc.gov/music/files/2015/03/Leipzig-SQ.03.21.2015.PROGRAM.PROOFpdf.pdf

https://www.earsense.org/chamber-music/Alexander-Borodin-String-Quartet-No-2-in-D-major/

If the theme sounds familiar though, it's probably because Lederer and Davis nicked it for ''And This Is My Beloved', in Kismet:

[calmck]

Could be the other composers lifted from Borodin as Some Enchanted Evening

[Chinajan]

Classic FM itself is a good resource

https://www.classicfm.com/composers/borodin/music/string-quartet-no-2-d/

[allenlondon]

No, never tuned in to Classic FM.

Many a classical composer lifted their themes from their country's folk traditions, although few acknowledged it. I just wondered if there were any Russian folk music experts who could put a name to the tune.

A