Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, despite his musical talents, initially pursued a naval career, enrolling as a cadet at the St Petersburg naval college at age 12.
Composer Biography
Nadezhda Nikolayevna Purgold, who arranged Sadko for piano duet, was a highly intelligent musician and composer in her own right, with better musical training than Rimsky-Korsakov.
Recording & Production
The performers on this recording believe that Nadezhda Nikolayevna Rimskaya-Korsakova's piano duet arrangement of Sadko is more intelligently distributed between players than the composer's own arrangements.
Composition History
The idea for Rimsky-Korsakov's "musical picture" Sadko, based on a 12th-century Novgorod merchant, was passed down to him through a chain of composers and critics.
Critical Reception
Rimsky-Korsakov's solo piano compositions and chamber works are generally considered "negligible in value" by musicologists like Gerald Abraham.
Composer Biography
During a three-year voyage as a midshipman, Rimsky-Korsakov continued composing his first symphony, even playing parts of it on pianos found in public houses in Gravesend, England.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Rimsky-Korsakov's son, Audrey, noted that his father's three constant inspirations were "folksong, the Orient and the sea," which he incorporated into his artistic work.
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