Composer Biography: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

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CLIBURN KIDS COMPOSER BIOGRAPHY NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV BORN: March 18, 1844 ERA/STYLE: Romantic DIED: June 21, 1908 HOMETOWN: Tikhvin, Russia Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was born in Tikhvin, near Novgorod, Russia, in 1844. His father was an official in the Russian government and his mother enjoyed playing the piano. Rimsky-Korsakov became interested in the piano at an early age and started lessons at age 6. In his early school years, he was tutored at home and did well in all his subjects. He started writing his own music at the age of 10. In 1856, at age 12, Rimsky-Korsakov became a student at the Naval Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. While studying at the Naval Academy, he still played the piano whenever he could. In 1861, he met Mily Balakirev, an older, well-known composer, who encouraged him to join a group of young composers who later became known as “The Five.” This group, led by Balakirev, urged Russian composers to stress their national heritage in their music. In 1862, Rimsky-Korsakov sailed on a three- year naval cruise where he completed his first symphony. After returning to St. Petersburg in 1865, his symphony was performed with his friend and teacher Balakirev conducting. In 1871, Rimsky-Korsakov accepted a job teaching composition at the conservatory in St. Petersburg, a position he kept for the rest of his life. Since he had never been to music school, he realized that he knew almost no music theory, and so he taught himself counterpoint, harmony, and music form. He became one of the world’s greatest music theorists. Rimsky-Korsakov married Nadezhda Purgold in June of 1872. She was a talented pianist who also did some composing. The couple had six children. © 2021 The Cliburn.

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