Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka (Михаил Иванович Глинка; 1804 – 1857) was the first Russian composer to gain wide recognition within Russia and he is often regarded as the fountainhead of Russian classical music. His compositions were an important influence on other Russian composers, notably the members of The Five, who produced a distinctive Russian style of music.
He composed "The Patriotic Song", which was the first national anthem used by Russia upon independence from the Soviet Union.