Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka (1804-1857) was one of the first Russian composers to gain fame within his home country. His works are influential among Russian composers who would follow, especially The Five, who pioneered the distinctive Russian Style. Glinka studied for a brief period under Irish composer John Field. Field’s style remained engrained in Glinka throughout his life, and can be especially seen in the “brilliant style” of his piano works. Ton Nu Nguyet Minh has performed across Europe, and won several international piano competitions. Since 1985 she has been a professor at the Academy of Music “Hanns Eisler” in Berlin.