Maximilian Steinberg studied under Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, graduating from his composition class in 1908. Steinberg is listed among the composer's students, and the two were photographed together in a counterpoint class in 1904. Following Rimsky-Korsakov's instructions, Steinberg created symphonic suites based on the operas The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and The Golden Cockerel.
Steinberg was also related to Rimsky-Korsakov as his son-in-law. In 1908, the same year he completed his studies, Steinberg married the composer's daughter, Nadezhda.
