Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor born on January 2, 1837 (Old Style December 21, 1836) in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and passed away on May 29, 1910 (Old Style May 16) in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He was a leading figure in promoting Russian musical nationalism and played a significant role in the development of Russian orchestral music and lyrical song during the second half of the 19th century. Balakirev was instrumental in forming the group of composers known as The Five, which included Alexander Borodin, César Cui, Modest Mussorgsky, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. He was the only professional musician among them initially and greatly influenced their musical direction.

Balakirev's early musical education came from his mother, and he later studied with Alexander Dubuque and Karl Eisrich. He began composing at the age of 15 and made his first appearance as a concert pianist in 1855. During the 1860s, Balakirev was at the height of his influence, collecting folk songs and introducing them into his compositions, such as the Second Overture on Russian Themes, which became the symphonic poem "Russia." His works, including the piano fantasy "Islamey" and the symphonic poem "Tamara," were inspired by his travels and the folk music he encountered.

Despite his significant contributions, Balakirev's despotic nature and tactlessness led to conflicts with his peers, resulting in a period of withdrawal from music between 1872 and 1876. He later returned to the music world, resuming his role at the Free School of Music and composing several new works. Balakirev's legacy lies in his pioneering efforts to integrate Russian folk elements into classical music and his influence on his contemporaries and successors.