Biography
Aliases: None
Home Country: Russia
Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov was one ot the top five composers in Russian. He was born in Tikhvin, Russia on March 18th, 1844 N.S. and died June 21st, 1908 N.S.
Although Nikolai showed interest in music early in his life, his family's aristocratic background meant that he would take a more proper role. He attended the Russian Imperial Naval College in St. Petersburg and, after graduation, joined the Navy. It wasn't until 1861 that he met the composer Mily Balakirev who rekindled Nikolai's musical interest.
Even while still in the navy, Nikolai began to compose music, and became part of "The Five" (The other top four composers in Russia). He completed his first symphony while still serving his country.
In 1871 Nikolai was hired to be the professor of composition and orchestration at the St. Petersburg Conservatory despite having almost no formal training in music. In 1872 Nikolai was married to Nikolayevna Purgol'd who was also a composer. A year later Nikolai resigned from the navy and began his musical career full time. During his first few years working as a professor Nikolai spent much of his time learning the musical skills that his military upbringing lacked.
In 1883 Nikolai worked as a deputy in the Balakirev Court Chapel where he studied church music. He left in 1894, and also left his position as professor in 1905 due to tension between his political views and the school. His views upset the governmental censors to the point that the release of his last opera was postponed until after his death which occurred in 1908.
Nikolai and his wife had seven children, some of whom went on to be musical composers as well.
Note: Since Rimsky-Korsakov was not a videogame music composer, his gameography is in alphabetical order.
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