In 1879, Mily Balakirev recommended Alexander Glazunov to Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Glazunov began studying privately with Rimsky-Korsakov, covering a course that included harmony, forms, orchestration, music theory, and composition.
Glazunov completed the entire course, which was calculated for five to seven years of study at the conservatory, in one and a half years. Glazunov is listed among the students of the composition school created by Rimsky-Korsakov.