Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was a naval cadet who composed a symphony while sailing around the world, despite having almost no formal musical training. He later taught himself harmony, counterpoint, and orchestration so thoroughly that he wrote the textbook on it — literally. His Principles of Orchestration is still used today.

This episode follows Rimsky-Korsakov from the Russian Navy through his transformation into the foremost orchestrator of the nineteenth century and teacher of Stravinsky.

• He composed his First Symphony while serving as a naval officer at sea
• He had almost no formal music training and taught himself composition from textbooks
• His Principles of Orchestration remains a standard reference for composers and arrangers
• He taught Igor Stravinsky, whose Rite of Spring changed music history