"The Mighty Handful"

"The Mighty Handful" refers to a group of five Russian composers—Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Balakirev, Cui, and Borodin—active in the late 19th century. They aimed to develop a distinctly Russian musical style, moving away from Western European influences. Known for their innovative approaches, they incorporated Russian themes, folk melodies, and national pride into classical music. Their collaboration and individual works significantly influenced Russian music and contributed to the broader development of Romantic-era compositions, leaving a lasting legacy of nationalistic and innovative musical expression.