César Cui (1835–1918) was a prominent Russian composer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, associated with the group of composers known as "The Mighty Handful" or "The Five," which sought to produce a distinctly Russian style of classical music. Born into a French-Lithuanian family in Vilnius, Cui was initially trained as a military engineer, following a career in the Russian army while nurturing his passion for music. Largely self-taught as a musician, he became a critic, composer, and member of The Five alongside Mily Balakirev, Alexander Borodin, Modest Mussorgsky, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, contributing to the nationalist spirit in Russian music.

Cui's compositional output encompasses a variety of genres, including operas, chamber works, songs, and piano pieces. His style evolved through his career, where initially he drew upon the influence of Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schumann before immersing himself deeper into Russian idioms. Notable compositions include his "25 Preludes, Op. 64," a collection of piano pieces demonstrating his virtuosity and depth as a composer, and his collaborations on projects such as "Mélodies," which displayed his lyrical and expressive melodic writing. Cui won acclaim for his approach to vocal music, as is evident in works like the "Vingt Poèmes de Jean Richepin, Op. 44." Despite being the least distinguished member of The Five in terms of his legacy as a composer, Cui's efforts as a critic and his role in bridging Eastern European traditions with Western classical music have secured him a distinct place in the music history annals.

Genres

Early Modern Classical

Post-romantic Era

Russian Romanticism

Latest Release

Cui: Characteristic 9 Piece Collection, Op. 40 No. 6, Conversation

César Cui

Single - Released August 15, 2024