Rimsky-Korsakov

Plot

The biographical film 'Rimsky-Korsakov' chronicles the final twenty years of the renowned Russian composer's life, beginning in the late 1880s. The narrative focuses on Rimsky-Korsakov's tenure as a professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he mentored a new generation of Russian composers including Alexander Glazunov and Igor Stravinsky. The film depicts his political persecution following his support of student protests in 1905, which led to his dismissal from the Conservatory and being placed under police surveillance. Throughout these personal and professional struggles, the composer continues to create some of his most famous works, including 'The Golden Cockerel' and 'The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh.' The film culminates with Rimsky-Korsakov's death in 1908, leaving behind a rich musical legacy that would influence Russian classical music for generations to come.

Historical Background

The film was produced in 1952 during the final year of Joseph Stalin's rule and the height of the Cold War. This period saw a renewed emphasis in Soviet cultural policy on promoting Russian cultural heritage as a means of demonstrating Soviet cultural superiority to the West. The film was made under the influence of the Zhdanov Doctrine, which demanded that all art serve ideological purposes and present an optimistic, heroic vision of Soviet reality and Russian history. Biographical films of this era were expected to portray their subjects as progressive figures who contributed to the advancement of Russian culture toward socialism. The film's focus on Rimsky-Korsakov's political troubles and his support for student revolutionaries aligned with the Soviet narrative of historical figures who, despite living before the revolution, demonstrated proto-revolutionary consciousness. The production also benefited from the postwar expansion of Soviet film infrastructure, including improved color film technology and larger studio facilities at Mosfilm.

Making Of

The making of 'Rimsky-Korsakov' was a significant undertaking for Mosfilm, requiring extensive historical research and musical preparation. Director Grigoriy Roshal worked closely with musicologists to ensure the accurate portrayal of the composer's creative process and the historical context of his works. The film's musical performances were recorded over several months with the USSR State Symphony Orchestra, requiring multiple takes to achieve the desired quality. Nikolai Cherkasov underwent extensive preparation for the role, studying Rimsky-Korsakov's mannerisms, conducting style, and even learning to play basic piano pieces to appear authentic in performance scenes. The costume department created over 200 period-accurate costumes, while the set design team meticulously recreated the interiors of 19th-century Russian aristocratic homes and the St. Petersburg Conservatory. The film's production coincided with the Zhdanov Doctrine era, which imposed strict ideological requirements on Soviet arts, requiring the filmmakers to emphasize the 'people's' and 'progressive' aspects of Rimsky-Korsakov's legacy while downplaying any elements that might be considered bourgeois.

Visual Style

The film's cinematography, handled by Vladimir Nikolaev, employed the relatively new Sovcolor process to create rich, period-appropriate visuals that captured the opulence of late 19th-century Russian aristocratic life. The camera work combines sweeping, epic shots of St. Petersburg landscapes with intimate close-ups during musical performance scenes, emphasizing both the grandeur of the historical setting and the personal nature of artistic creation. The film uses lighting techniques that contrast the warm, golden tones of creative moments with the harsher, more shadowed lighting of political confrontation scenes. The conservatory sequences feature carefully choreographed camera movements that follow the flow of musical performances, creating a visual rhythm that complements the musical content. The color palette emphasizes deep reds, golds, and rich browns to evoke the historical period while maintaining visual interest throughout the film's runtime.

Innovations

The film represented several technical achievements for Soviet cinema of the early 1950s. Its use of the Sovcolor process demonstrated the maturation of color film technology in the Soviet Union, with particularly successful results in capturing the rich textures of period costumes and the warm glow of candlelit scenes. The recording techniques for the musical performances were innovative for their time, using multiple microphones and recording equipment to capture the full dynamic range of orchestral performances. The film's editing successfully synchronized musical performances with visual elements, creating a seamless integration between sound and image that enhanced the viewing experience. The production also developed new techniques for recreating historical musical instruments and performance practices, contributing to the authenticity of the musical sequences. The film's special effects, particularly in scenes depicting operatic performances, used rear projection and matte painting techniques that were advanced for Soviet cinema of the period.

Music

The film's soundtrack features extensive selections from Rimsky-Korsakov's musical catalog, including excerpts from his most famous operas 'Sadko,' 'The Snow Maiden,' 'The Tale of Tsar Saltan,' and 'The Golden Cockerel.' The musical performances were recorded by the USSR State Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky, ensuring authentic interpretations of the composer's works. The film's score weaves these pieces into the narrative, using them both as diegetic music within scenes and as underscoring to enhance emotional moments. The sound design emphasizes the acoustic properties of different performance spaces, from intimate salon settings to grand concert halls, creating a realistic auditory experience. The soundtrack album released in conjunction with the film became one of the most popular classical recordings in the Soviet Union, introducing many listeners to Rimsky-Korsakov's music for the first time.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening scene showing Rimsky-Korsakov conducting one of his compositions with the St. Petersburg orchestra, establishing both his musical genius and his position in Russian cultural life
• The tense confrontation at the conservatory where Rimsky-Korsakov defends his students against political authorities, demonstrating his moral courage and commitment to artistic freedom
• The intimate scene where the composer works late into the night on 'The Golden Cockerel,' revealing his creative process and dedication to his art
• The emotional farewell scene at the conservatory after his dismissal, showing the impact of his teaching on his students
• The final scene depicting his funeral procession through St. Petersburg, symbolizing the passing of an era in Russian music

What Critics Said

Contemporary Soviet critics praised the film for its faithful portrayal of the composer's life and its artistic merit, particularly noting Nikolai Cherkasov's performance as Rimsky-Korsakov. The film was celebrated in Soviet media as an exemplary work of socialist realism that successfully combined historical accuracy with ideological education. Western critics at Cannes noted the film's high production values and musical performances, though some observed that the political aspects of the narrative were presented in a manner consistent with Soviet ideological requirements. Modern film historians view the work as an important document of postwar Soviet cinema, representing both the artistic achievements and ideological constraints of the period. The film is now studied as an example of how Soviet biographical films negotiated the tension between historical accuracy and political messaging.

What Audiences Thought

The film was well received by Soviet audiences upon its release, particularly among educated viewers and music lovers who appreciated its attention to musical detail and historical authenticity. The film's musical performances were especially popular, with many viewers requesting recordings of the orchestral pieces featured in the movie. The film ran successfully in Soviet theaters for several months and was later re-released periodically, becoming a standard part of the Soviet cultural education curriculum. Among international audiences, the film found limited distribution but was appreciated by classical music enthusiasts and those interested in Russian culture. The film's popularity contributed to a renewed interest in Rimsky-Korsakov's works within the Soviet Union, leading to increased performances of his operas and orchestral pieces in concert halls across the country.

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