Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Balakirev was an early encourager, teaching Rimsky-Korsakov when he was not on naval duty. Borodin (whose music astonished him) and Mussorgsky became good friends and musical accomplices, Mussorgsky lodging with him and sharing a piano. Tchaikovsky and he were mutually wary, Tchaikovsky nonetheless encouraging his belated study of compositional technique when he had already become a professor. While Borodin and Mussorgsky grew critical of his academic activities, his role in editing the work of other members of The Five was significant. Glazunov, Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Diaghilev, Respighi and Kapp all studied with him.