Russian Romantic composer Vasily Kalinnikov (1866-1901) lived a short and hard life, yet through the help of Tchaikovsky became the conductor at the Malïy Theatre in Moscow. Rachmaninov brought some financial relief in his final years, yet it was only his death that increased the value of his compositions, many of which were purchased from his widow and published posthumously. Along with his two symphonies, he is most remembered for the instrumental music for Tolstoy's play Tsar Boris.