Rimsky‐Korsakov, Nikolai Andreievich
Rimsky‐Korsakov, Nikolai Andreievich (1844–1908),Russian composer. As a young man with virtually no musical training, Rimsky‐Korsakov sought advice from Mili Balakirev, who welcomed him into the small group of Russian nationalist composers he had founded—the ‘Mighty Handful’, which also included Borodin and Mussorgsky. Family tradition pointed him toward the navy, however; not until returning from a three‐year cruise as an officer could he rejoin his musical friends and complete his first symphony (1865). In 1871 he was invited to become a professor of composition at the St Petersburg conservatory—somewhat to his dismay, as he still knew almost nothing of structure or theory. Prudently retaining his commission, he accepted, studying all night to keep ahead of his classes; eventually, he became an outstanding teacher, among his pupils being Igor Stravinsky.
Rimsky‐Korsakov's music is known for vitality and brilliant...
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