NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
(1844—1908)
Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov composer, conductor, teacher. Born on March 18, 1844 in Tikhvin, Novgorod Oblast. Since childhood, he had a high need for music, but at first he chooses the profession of a naval officer. In 1856, he enrolled in the Naval Corps in St. Petersburg. From the truth, he does not give up on the subject of music. M. In 1861. A. His acquaintance with Balakirev and his circle is of great importance for the further development of the composer’s talent. However, in 1862, after graduating from the Marine Corps, Rimsky-Korsakov embarked on a three-year sea voyage around the world aboard the sailing ship “Almaz”.
Upon his return in 1865, Nikolay Andreevich settled in Petersburg and, without leaving his service in the Navy, became fully engaged in music education under Balakirev. His first major work was his first symphony (1865). Then appear” overture to Russian themes “(1866),” Serbian fantasy “(1867), the symphonic painting” Sadko “(1867), the Second Symphony (“Antar”, 1868), a series of vivid poetic romances (composer).(he wrote a total of 79 novels).
The success of these works was so great that in 1871 Rimsky-Korsakov was invited to the St. Petersburg Conservatory for the position of Professor of instrumentation and free composition. In 1873, Nikolai Andreevich ends his service in the Navy and receives the position of Inspector of the military bands of the fleet, combining his professorial duties at the conservatory (which he worked on until its liquidation in 1884). The Opera becomes a major genre in the composer’s work. He wrote his first opera, “The Woman of Pskov”, in 1872. N. in 1879.V.Based on Gogol’s story, the opera “May night”appears. In 1881, Rimsky-Korsakov’s most inspired work was a. N. Based on the plot of Ostrovsky’s spring fairy tale, he creates the Opera “Snow Maiden”. After the operas” Mlada “(1892) and” the night before Christmas ” (1895), the composer again references epic characters. Thus the Opera” Sadko ” (1896) was written, and immediately gained wide fame. His services as a teacher are also great. Nikolai Andreevich prepared about 200 composers, including a.K.Glazunov, A.S.Arensky, I.F.Stravinsky, S.S.Prokofiev.
Rimsky-Korsakov is the author of the textbook” fundamentals of the orchestra”, two textbooks on harmony and many musical articles. He died on June 21, 1908 at the Lyubensk house near Luga (in present-day Leningrad Oblast).