Modest Mussorgsky

(1839-1881)
(Mah-dest Moe-zehr-guh-ski)

Modest Mussorgsky strove to create a uniquely Russian style of music. He was born into a wealthy family and began piano lessons at age six. He later attended military school and was commissioned after graduation. While attending school, he continued taking music lessons. Shortly after graduation, Mussorgsky met several composers who would become influential friends. In 1858, Mussorgsky resigned his military commission in order to compose full-time, taking a government job to pay the bills. Although he wrote he loved “everything Russian,“ his early works were more influenced by western conventions. In 1863 he changed styles, writing in a more realistic style and carefully setting Russian texts to music. Mussorgsky became friends with members of “The Five” and began work on his opera, Boris Godunov. Mussorgsky suffered from ill health due to alcoholism and died when he was only 42. Although he wrote only a few works, his pieces are colorful evocations of Russian legends and history and feature dramatic, careful setting or Russian text.

Important Works

• Boris Godunov

• Mlada

• Night on Bald Mountain

• Rêverie

• Numerous songs, including “Darling Savishna”

• Pictures at an Exhibition

Further Listening