Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov was a Russian composer, teacher, and editor. At the age of six he began piano lessons before soon shifting his efforts to composing despite preferring literature at the time. It was his contact with mentor Mily Balakirev that inspired him to start composing seriously. He had a significant naval career in line with family tradition, during which he deepened his appreciation and skill for composition, writing the beginnings of his symphony in E-flat minor throughout this period.

Rimsky-Korsakov frequently used fairy tales and folklore as subjects for his work; Scheherazade and The Snow Maiden being examples of this. Other notable compositions among his 15 operas, 90 songs and 20 orchestral works include his Trombone Concerto and Capriccio Espagnol, the Russian Easter Festival Overture, now considered staples of the classical music repertoire.