Rimsky-Korsakov was a member of The Five, a group of Russian composers who aimed to create a nationalist Russian style of classical music.
He was an officer in the Russian navy and served as the civilian Inspector of Naval Bands.
Rimsky-Korsakov's compositional style is characterized by his ability to create descriptive orchestration, suggesting a mood or place.
His best-known orchestral compositions include "Capriccio Espagnol", the "Russian Easter Festival Overture", and the symphonic suite "Scheherazade".
Rimsky-Korsakov served as director of the Free Music School in St.
Petersburg and conductor of concerts at the court chapel.
Despite being part of the regular repertory in Russian opera houses, Rimsky-Korsakov's operas are rarely performed abroad.
Rimsky-Korsakov's music includes suites and excerpts from his 15 operas, including "The Snow Maiden", "Sadko", and "The Tale of Tsar Saltan".
Rimsky-Korsakov's compositions often incorporate folk melodies and unconventional harmonies.
He was a teacher and mentor to several prominent composers, including Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Prokofiev.
Rimsky-Korsakov's life was marked by a dual career in the Russian armed forces and music, and he continued to compose and teach until his death in 1908.
Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" is a famous orchestral interlude and a popular piece for virtuoso solo instrumentalists.
Rimsky-Korsakov's music often features complex rhythmic patterns and intricate orchestration.
Rimsky-Korsakov's harmonies and orchestration were influential to later composers, including Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy.
Rimsky-Korsakov's use of leitmotifs, or recurring musical themes, in his operas was innovative for his time.
Rimsky-Korsakov's music often features unconventional instruments and sound effects, such as the use of the wind machine in "Scheherazade".
Rimsky-Korsakov's use of whole-tone and octatonic scales in his compositions was unique for his time.
Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh" is considered one of his most ambitious and innovative operas.
Rimsky-Korsakov's "Sadko" features one of the most famous and challenging bass vocal parts in the operatic repertoire.
Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Snow Maiden" was one of the first operas to use a revolving stage.
Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Golden Cockerel" was the last opera he completed before his death and remains a controversial and provocative work.