Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was a prominent Russian composer, teacher and editor celebrated for his descriptive orchestrations and mastery of the opera.  He was a key member of The Five, a group of composers dedicated to establishing a distinctively nationalistic Russian musical identity independent of Western European traditions, not to be confused with Les Six. As a long-time professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, he profoundly influenced two generations of composers, including Stravinsky. Beyond his own compositions, Rimsky-Korsakov played a vital role in preserving the legacy of his peers. He famously edited and revised the works of Mussorgsky, such as Boris Godunov, ensuring their survival in the standard repertoire despite contemporary criticism regarding his editorial interventions.