Symphony No. I by A. Borodin composed in 1862–1867 and performed in 1869 is original in the image content. The music, epic according to its scope and Russian by nature, bears the genuine symphonism of the development of the major thematic grain. It was conceived in the land of endless valleys and grand deliberate rivers, it evokes in one's imagination the pictures of the spring waters, awakening of the life forces. The third movement of the symphony has the Oriental intonations.

It took a long time (from 1869 to 1876) for Borodin to write Symphony No. 2. The premiere performance took place in 1877. The symphony was composed parallel with the opera "Prince Igor" which is close to the symphony by its imagery and character. The symphony was later called "Heroic" which is in perfect harmony with the music, full of spontaneous force, audacity and scope, the music monumental by its proportions, original by its image content which evokes in memory the Russian by Unas. Each of four movements is individual by nature: powerful, ponderous march of Allegro, irresistible in its flight Scherzo, songful Andante, reminding of the legendary singer Bayan, solemn Finale all this is united in the whole monumentary fresco painted with the bold wide strokes.