Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov.

Николай Андреевичъ Римскій Корсаковъ

Born 6 Mar 1844 Tikhvin

Died 20 Jun 1908 Lyubensk

Citizenship Russia

6 min read

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1,148

Words

Apr 8, 2026

Published

Film credit

Books

TL;DR

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov began his career as a naval officer before turning to music. He became a member of The Five, a group of nationalist composers, and wrote the first Russian symphony. He also taught Igor Stravinsky.

Identity & family.

KIN · 7

Names, aliases, and relatives of Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Native Name Николай Андреевичъ Римскій Корсаковъ

Aliases Rimsky Korsakoff, R.Kosakov, Nicolaï Rimski Korsakov, N. A. Rimskiy Korsakov, N.A. Rimskiy Korsakov, Rimsky Korsakov, Rimszkij Korszakov

PARENTS: Sofia Vasilievna Skaryatina Andrey Petrovich Rimskiy Korsakov
SPOUSES: Nadezhda Purgold
CHILDREN: Andrey Rimsky Korsakov Mikhail Rimsky Korsakov Vladimir Rimsky Korsakov
SIBLINGS: Voin Rimsky Korsakov

At a glance.

STATS

Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov by the numbers — life, work, and family.

64 Years lived

1 Film credit

4 Books

1 Marriage

3 Children

Who was Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov?

BIOGRAPHY

Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Born into a naval family, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov entered the Naval Cadet Corps in his youth. There, he began to explore music, and by 1861 he joined the circle of Mily Balakirev, a group that later formed The Five. This early exposure to nationalist music shaped his future compositions.

Career

Rimsky-Korsakov left his naval career to pursue music full-time. As a member of The Five, he composed the first Russian symphony, blending Russian folk songs with Orthodox Church music. He taught composition at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, where his students included Igor Stravinsky. Unlike some of his contemporaries in The Five, he maintained a rigorous composition schedule, producing a steady output of works until his death in 1908.

Personal life

Rimsky-Korsakov married Nadezhda Purgold in 1872, and the couple had three sons: Andrey, Mikhail, and Vladimir. He also had a brother named Voin Rimsky Korsakov. He died from a heart attack at his Lyubensk estate on June 20, 1908.

Legacy

Rimsky-Korsakov’s influence extends through his pupils, most notably Igor Stravinsky, and his role in The Five helped define Russian nationalist music. His first Russian symphony set a precedent for future composers. He was portrayed by Jean-Pierre Aumont in the 1947 film Song of Scheherazade. The term Korsakov’s syndrome is unrelated, but his name remains well-known. He is remembered for his integration of folk melodies with Orthodox liturgical music.

Filmography.

FILMS · 1

Browse the complete filmography of Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

Movie

Great Russian Composers

1993

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 4

Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

My Musical Life

by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov
Amazon

Principles of Orchestration

by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov
Amazon

Snegurotchka

by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov
Amazon

Scheherazade

by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 1

A wall of memorable lines from Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Tchaikovsky’s Music Is in Abominable Taste.

Did you know?

FACTS · 4

Little-known facts about Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Jean-Pierre Aumont portrayed Rimsky-Korsakov in the 1947 film Song of Scheherazade.
Comedian Brother Theodore lampooned Rimsky-Korsakov for the perceived humor in his name.
A different Korsakov discovered the medical condition Korsakov’s Syndrome, which involves brain damage from alcoholism-induced vitamin deficiencies, not Rimsky-Korsakov.
Rimsky-Korsakov was a member of The Five, which included Mily Balakirev, Alexander Borodin, César Cui, and Modest Mussorgsky. Unlike some colleagues, he maintained a disciplined composition schedule and continued producing works until his death.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 28

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov.

When was Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov born?

Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov was born on March 6, 1844. He was born in Tikhvin, Novgorod Governorate, Russian Empire, to Sofia Vasilievna Skaryatina and Andrey Petrovich Rimskiy Korsakov.
Where was Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov born?

He was born in Tikhvin, Novgorod Governorate, Russian Empire, which is now part of Leningrad Oblast, Russia. His birthplace is historically significant for being the location of his early life.
When did Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov die?

Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov died on June 20, 1908. He was 64 years old at the time of his death.
How old was Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov when he died?

He was 64 years old when he died on June 20, 1908. His death occurred at his Lyubensk estate.
Where did Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov die?

He died at Lyubensk, in the St. Petersburg Governorate of the Russian Empire. This estate was his residence in his later years.
How did Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov die?

He died from a heart attack. The fatal event occurred at his Lyubensk estate on June 20, 1908.
What is Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov's name in his native language?

His name in Russian is Николай Андреевичъ Римскій Корсаковъ. This reflects the traditional spelling of his full name.
What was Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov's occupation?

He was a composer, writer, and music crew member. He is best known for his compositions and his role in The Five.
What nationality was Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov?

He was Russian. He was born in the Russian Empire and considered a Russian composer.
What language did Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov speak?

His native language was Russian. He used it in his compositions and writings.
Who were Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov's parents?

His parents were Sofia Vasilievna Skaryatina and Andrey Petrovich Rimskiy Korsakov. They came from a Russian noble family.
Who was Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov's spouse?

He married Nadezhda Purgold on June 30, 1872. She was his lifelong partner until his death.
Did Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov have children?

Yes, he had three sons: Andrey, Mikhail, and Vladimir. They were born from his marriage to Nadezhda Purgold.
Did Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov have any siblings?

Yes, he had a brother named Voin Rimsky Korsakov. Voin was also a notable figure in his own right.
Where did Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov receive his education?

He was educated at the Naval Cadet Corps. This military school prepared him for a naval career before he turned to music.
What alternative names has Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov used?

He has been known by several aliases, including Rimsky Korsakoff, R.Kosakov, Nicolaï Rimski Korsakov, N. A. Rimskiy Korsakov, N.A. Rimskiy Korsakov, Rimsky Korsakov, and Rimszkij Korszakov. These variations appear in different historical records and publications.
What musical group was Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov a member of?

He was a member of The Five, a group of 19th-century Russian composers. The other members were Mily Balakirev, Alexander Borodin, César Cui, and Modest Mussorgsky.
What did Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov achieve as a composer?

He wrote the first Russian symphony, blending Russian folk songs with Orthodox Church music. He also taught Igor Stravinsky, who became a leading 20th-century composer.
In which film was Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov portrayed?

He was portrayed by Jean-Pierre Aumont in the 1947 film Song of Scheherazade. The film is a fictionalized account of his life.
What is Korsakov's syndrome and is it related to the composer?

Korsakov’s syndrome is a medical condition involving brain damage from alcoholism-induced vitamin deficiencies. It was discovered by a different doctor named Korsakov and is not related to the composer.
Who was Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov's most famous student?

His most famous student was Igor Stravinsky. Stravinsky went on to become one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.
Did Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov serve in the military?

Yes, he initially served as a naval officer after graduating from the Naval Cadet Corps. However, he soon left the navy to focus on music.
How did Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov blend musical styles?

He uniquely combined Russian folk songs with the music of the Orthodox Church. This blending created a distinctive nationalist style that influenced later composers.
Who was Voin Rimsky Korsakov?

Voin Rimsky Korsakov was Nikolai’s brother. He is mentioned as a sibling in biographical records.
What happened in 1861 for Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov?

In 1861, he joined the group of Mily Balakirev. This circle later evolved into The Five, a pivotal step in his musical development.
Who portrayed Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov in the 1947 film Song of Scheherazade?

Jean-Pierre Aumont portrayed him in the 1947 film Song of Scheherazade. The film dramatizes his life and music.
What is the role of the Naval Cadet Corps in Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov's life?

The Naval Cadet Corps provided his formal education and initially set him on a path to a naval career. It was during this time that he began exploring music.
Which composers were part of The Five with Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov?

The Five included Mily Balakirev, Alexander Borodin, César Cui, and Modest Mussorgsky. Rimsky-Korsakov was the youngest and most prolific member.

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Michael is the last person to read a profile before it goes live, which makes him the one who catches what everyone else missed. 5 years as a copy editor has given him a sharp sense for what's off. A wrong year, a vague credit, a sentence that almost makes sense but doesn't quite. He's especially thorough with filmographies. He'll tell you that's where most of the errors hide. He's right.

Published on April 8, 2026

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