César Cui

(1835-1918)
(See-sahr Kwee)

César Cui was a composer and music critic as well as general in Imperial Russian Army. Cui grew up in what is now Lithuania and was educated in Saint Petersburg. After attending engineering school, he began a military career becoming a professor in military fortifications. He taught at three different military academies and wrote several well-regarded textbooks on the topic. Cui began piano lessons as a young boy and wrote his first compositions at fourteen. While in school in Saint Petersburg, he met Mily Balakirev. Although music remained a hobby, Cui became more involved after meeting Balakirev and eventually became a member of “The Five.” Cui’s first public performance was a Scherzo for orchestra in 1859. His first opera premiered in 1869. Over his musical career, Cui completed fifteen operas as well as works for piano, chamber groups, songs, and orchestral pieces. He also wrote almost 800 articles about music that were published in Russia and Europe.

Important Works

• William Ratcliff

• Le filbustier

• The Mandarin’s Son

• Prisoner of the Caucasus

• Puss in Boots

• “The Statue at Tsarskoye Selo”

• The Burnt Letter”

• Orientale

Further Listening