Dr. David C.F. Wright's biography of Cesar Cui describes the composer's humble origins as the son of a French army officer who settled in Poland, but Cui's own career path led him to become a Lieutenant General of Engineers and an authority on fortifications. Cui's interest in music began at a young age, but his military career provided the bulk of his income. It wasn't until he met Mily Balakirev in 1856 that he started taking music more seriously, and he soon became involved with the group of nationalist composers known as The Five. Despite his lack of formal training, Cui composed several operas and other works, but was often criticized for his orchestration and form. His criticisms of Tchaikovsky's music were also notable. While his compositions may not have lasting appeal, Cui's contributions to military engineering remain important.
