Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov | The Russian Bumblebee
A master of orchestration, a visionary of Russian classical music, and a mentor to generations of composers – Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov has proven to be one of the most influential figures in the history of Russian music. His vibrant compositions, known for their lush orchestration and vivid storytelling, have left a lasting mark on classical music and continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
Birth And Early Life
Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov was born on March 18, 1844, in the small town of Tikhvin, Russia, about 200 kilometers east of Saint Petersburg. He came from an aristocratic family with a long history of military and government service. His father, Andrei Petrovich Rimsky-Korsakov, worked as an official in the Russian Government and his uncle was an admiral in the Russian navy. Nikolai’s older brother, Voin Rimsky-Korsakov, 22 years his senior, was a well known Russian navigator, geographer, and hydrographer.
However, from a young age Nikolai showed a strong interest in music, particularly in folk melodies and church music. His mother, Sofia Vassilievna Skaryatina, an educated and cultured woman who also played the piano, helped to further instill this passion.
Musical Education
But despite an early love for music, Rimsky-Korsakov eventually did follow in his family’s footsteps. In 1856, at just the age of 12, he entered the Saint Petersburg Naval Academy. However, his passion for music never waned. Even while at sea he continued composing.
In the early 1860s, he met Mily Balakirev, a key figure in Russian classical music, who agreed to take him on as a student. Under Balakirev's mentorship, Rimsky-Korsakov began serious musical training, learning composition and orchestration.
From 1862 to 1865, he embarked on a three-year voyage aboard the clipper Almaz, traveling across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Upon his return to Russia, his passion for composition took precedence. His first symphony, completed in 1865 at the age of 21 while onboard a navy ship, was praised as the first truly Russian symphony.
Career
Because of his association with Mily Balakirev, Rimsky-Korsakov met a group of young ambitious Russian nationalist composers. Alongside Modest Mussorgsky, Alexander Borodin, and César Cui, he became a key member of the 'Mighty Handful,' or ‘The Five’, a group led by Balakirev himself. Their goal was to create a distinctly Russian style of classical music, free from Western European influences.
Despite being largely self-taught, in 1871, at just 27 years old, Rimsky-Korsakov was appointed a professor of composition and orchestration at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. This was a surprising choice by the conservatory considering how little formal training he had at this point.
However, he worked tirelessly to educate himself, studying Western harmony and counterpoint in an effort to continually refine his compositions and strengthen his understanding of music theory. And through this rigorous study Rimsky-Korsakov became a master of orchestration.
Over time he also became an influential teacher, mentoring some of the greatest Russian composers, such as Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Prokofiev, helping to shape the future of Russian music. In fact, his textbook on orchestration remains an invaluable resource for composers to this day.
Important Works
Rimsky-Korsakov is best known for his brilliant use of color and themes, blending folk melodies with dazzling instrumental work.
His 1888 masterpiece, Scheherazade, is a symphonic suite inspired by the tales of One Thousand and One Nights. Among his most celebrated compositions, Scheherazade features dazzling orchestration and exotic melodies that vividly paint scenes of adventure, romance, and mystery.
Flight of the Bumblebee, from his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, is a dazzling display of musical agility. It remains one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music today.
Some other notable works include Capriccio Espagnol (1887), a lively Spanish-themed orchestral piece, the Russian Easter Festival Overture (1888), which blends Russian Orthodox chant with vibrant orchestration, and his 1909 opera, The Golden Cockerel, another masterpiece, brimming with satire and Russian folklore.
Death And Legacy
Rimsky-Korsakov’s influence extended far beyond his own works. In his later years, his tireless editing and completion of unfinished works by his contemporaries, including Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov, helped to further solidify his enduring legacy.
However, in 1905 his outspoken criticism of the Russian government’s suppression of student protests led to his dismissal from the Conservatory. The protests were sparked by widespread dissatisfaction with the Tsarist regime and calls for greater academic freedom and political reform. Students and faculty alike demonstrated against government censorship and the dismissal of liberal professors.
Rimsky-Korsakov openly supported their cause, publishing articles condemning the police’s brutal crackdown on protesters. His defiance cost him his position, but his students and fellow musicians rallied behind him, eventually securing his reinstatement.
On June 21st, 1908, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov passed away at the age of 64 due to angina. Throughout his life, Rimsky-Korsakov experienced periods of poor health, particularly in his later years, suffering from heart-related issues and fatigue, which likely contributed to his condition.
His funeral was held in St. Petersburg and attended by numerous students, colleagues, and admirers. His burial at the Tikhvin Cemetery in the Alexander Nevsky Monastery marked the final resting place of one of Russia’s greatest composers.
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's legacy is one of brilliance and inspiration. From his naval background to his towering influence in classical music, Rimsky-Korsakov’s journey is a testament to the power of creativity and dedication. His influence on orchestration and his commitment to Russian musical identity ensures that his legacy will inspire musicians and listeners for generations to come.
Sergei Rachmaninoff | A Story of Failure, Exile, and Redemption
Known for his sweeping melodies and virtuosic technique, Sergei Rachmaninoff is considered by many to be one of the greatest pianists and composers of the late Romantic era. His music evokes a deep sense of meaning, nostalgia, and grandeur.
