Balakirev

(ba-la'-ke-reff), Mili Alexei- evitch, compr pst b. Novgorod, (Doc 31, 1836, 0. S ) Jan. 2, 1837; d St. Pete is burg, June 24, 191(5. Early youth pa ed m the country, where Oulibishev, author of Life of Mozai instructed him m music; went at age of 20 to St. Petersburg whore he met Glmka, and the younger compose is, Oui, Mou orgski, Boiodm and others B. became the peculiarly influential center of a small group, some of whom were older than ho in years, to whom he gave mstiuction in analysis of older masters and counsel in appicciation of the new—especially Schumann, Liszt, and Berlioz. He also exerted a great influence toward “ national ” music, by collecting folk-songs and l>y urging use of cliamctenstic rhythms ana ideas. In 1S63 B. founded a free school of music, before retirement m 1872 he was director Ru ian Musical Society, and director of singers at Imperial Chapel. His own woiks arc few in number; the principal ones are sympli. poems Thamai and Ru ia, overture and music to King Lear Bymph. in C major, two senes of songs, and pf. pieces nearly all of which demand — the ability of a virtuoso most notable being the fantasia Islam®/. “ His romances arc distinguished by pure and large melodies, by elegant accompaniments, often by pa ion and great interest.” [Ciu,] “Ho is an orchestral magician; he succeeds, by harmonious wedding of 29 BALATKA timbres in giving changing and surprising color to sounu lie excels in the dc^rntive poem. the instrumental ra'c ” IB a**- Though he has w»*i ic no h.i.v. m the stage, his most remarkable compositions are those with a definite program, as the symph poems and Lear. B , Hans, condr b. Hoffnungsthal, Moravia, March 5, 1827, d Chicago, Apr. 17, 1899. Pupil of Sechter and Proch at Vienna, came to America 1849; founded and conducted Milwaukee Musikverein, conductor of Chicago Philh. Soc. 1860, and various societies m Milwaukee, St. Louis and Chicago, distinguished among pioneers of music in the West. Baldwin, Samuel At kins on, orgt compr b Lake City, Mum Jar 25 W.2 At 12 moved to Si Pun. wb( ic V was orgt at 15; studied in Europe 18S0-S4 (with one year at home) at Dresden Cons, with G Merkel, Nicod6, RircIibieter, and Wullner, orgt. Chicago 1885-89; orgt. dir. of choral a ’n, St. Paul 1889-95; orgt in New York 1895, in Brooklyn since 1902; head of dept of mus in Coll of City of N. Y 1907, where he gives semiweekly recitals, compositions include songs, anthems, 18th Psalm for voices and orch cantata Triumph of Love concert overtures, suite for orch and symphony Balfe, Michael William, compr. b Dubhn, May 15, 1808; d. liowney Abbey, Hertfordshire, Oct. 20, 1S70. Son of William (died 1823), a dancing master; he first learned to play the violin for dancing as a pupil of Meadows and O’Rourke (Rooke), articled pupil of C. E Horn in London; played in theatre band; went to Italy 1825 where lie studied with Paer and Federici; in Paris Ro ini engaged him as baritone in Italian opera and he sang in London and Pans with succe until about 1833; after 1835, he composed operas, managed, and conducted them in London, Pans, and Berlin; retired to country 1864. First dramatic composition was ballot La Pfrouse 1827; first English opera Siege of Rochelle 1835; lus succe es thereafter were almost continuous; he wrote about 30 operas, ) BANTOCK the one most widely known to-day being The Bohemian Girl first produced 1843 Macfaiien (quoted in Grove) says B po e ed quickne of ear, readine of memory, executive facility, fluent invention, remarkable and expenenced command of orchestra, and, on the other hand, want of conscientiousne ; that in his music, however, “ the element vluch makes it evanescent ” is that which also makes it popular