César Cui trained as an military engineer and became an expert on fortifications. As a composer he much admired Chopin and Balakirev. Balakirev’s influence is seen particularly in his early attempts at Russian Opera. Even his friends, however, severely criticised his orchestration (Rimsky-Korsakov remarking that he had “neither inclination nor ability” in this area). He continued to write operas, composing 11 and also 4 Children’s Operas. His lack of skill in orchestration resulted in none of these being really successful and it is in more miniature forms such as chamber music, song and piano music that he came into his own. In these beautifully crafted pieces the influence of his life-long love of Chopin is very apparent.

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