candidate: Alexander Ilyinsky ( 1859–1919 ) , composer known for the opera " The Fountain of Bakhchisaray " , orchestral suites , and a symphony Mikhail Ippolitov - Ivanov ( 1859–1935 ) , Romantic composer , noted for his orchestral suite " Caucasian Sketches " Dmitry Kabalevsky ( 1904–1987 ) , 20th - century composer Vasily Kalinnikov ( 1866–1901 ) , Romantic composer who lived a short life due to illness .