I am a composer in search of oblivion; and I’m always slightly ashamed to admit that I compose.
— Alexander Borodin
![Cheng Gang portrait of Jean Louis Duport par Descarsin](http://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2018/alexander-borodins-185th-birthday-5489090051964928.3-2xa.gif)
![Cheng Gang portrait of Jean Louis Duport par Descarsin](http://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2018/alexander-borodins-185th-birthday-5489090051964928.3-2xa.gif)
Composer and chemist Aleksandr Borodin (1833 – 1886) got his very own “Google Doodle“ for his 185th Birthday in November 2018!
Despite his best efforts, Aleksandr Borodin failed in his stated goal above; in addition to his pioneering work as a chemist, Borodin is remembered today for writing some of the catchiest melodies ever to emanate from the “The Mighty Handful” of late-19th-century Russian composers.
At our first Heifetz Ensemble in Residence concert of 2022, our new HEIRees – violinists Liana Branscome & Strauss Shi, violist Steven Baloue and cellist Ben Fried – offered up one of Borodin’s best: the gorgeous second-movement Notturno from Alexander Borodin’s String Quartet No. 2. In performance at the South Market Stage at Grace Christian School in downtown Staunton. Enjoy!