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Russian composer, pianist, conductor, and pivotal leader of the nationalist music group 'The Mighty Handful'.Born in Nizhny Novgorod, Balakirev emerged as a self-taught musical prodigy. After moving to St. Petersburg in 1855, he became Mikhail Glinka's protégé. In 1862, he co-founded 'The Mighty Handful' (or 'The Five'), mentoring composers like Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Borodin. He directed the Imperial Chapel Choir (1883–1895), revitalizing Russian sacred music. Despite periods of withdrawal, he produced influential works including symphonic poems 'Tamara' and 'Russia', two symphonies, and virtuosic piano compositions. His legacy lies in championing Russian musical identity against Western European traditions.

• Balakirev suffered a severe mental crisis in 1872, abandoning music for five years to work as a railway clerk amid financial struggles.
• His authoritarian leadership caused rifts within 'The Mighty Handful'; he famously destroyed his friendship with critic Vladimir Stasov over artistic disagreements.
• He experienced a creative resurgence after 1881, completing long-delayed masterworks like his First Symphony and the oriental fantasy 'Islamey'.
• Balakirev died of heart failure in 1910, having spent his final years in relative obscurity despite his earlier fame.