Rimsky-Korsakov's naval career lasted until 1872, after which he spent a dozen years as Inspector of Naval Bands, a civilian position created for him.
Composer Biography
Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov, a young naval officer, was part of 'The Mighty Handful,' a group of five composers dominated by Balakirev, reflecting Russian cultural nationalism.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Rimsky-Korsakov developed a particular interest in instrumentation, an aspect of music that fascinated him since his first experience of opera, Flotow's Indra, in St Petersburg in 1857.
Performer Biography
Gerard Schwarz, the conductor, was Music Director of Seattle Symphony from 1985 to 2011 and has received two Emmy Awards and thirteen GRAMMY® nominations.
Composition History
Rimsky-Korsakov's last opera, The Golden Cockerel (Le Coq d'or), was refused approval by censors who saw it as an attack on the régime, and was not staged until after his death.
Composer Biography
Rimsky-Korsakov was dismissed from the St Petersburg Conservatory in 1905 for supporting student unrest, but was later reinstated under more liberal policies.
Composer Biography
Rimsky-Korsakov undertook the revision, completion, and publication of much of the unfinished work of his fellow 'Mighty Handful' members, Mussorgsky and Borodin, after their deaths.
