Modest Mussorgsky

Wikipedia (1879-1936) [Russian. Romantic.]
If you're just gonna listen to one: Pictures at an Exhibition (Bogatyr Gates)


Background

Mussorgsky is a composer we can describe as part of the Nationalist movement. He was, with four other Russian composers (Rimsky-Korsakov, Balakirev, Borodin, & Cui) called The Five - a group of composers who led the way creating a uniquely Russian style of classical music. His music definitely has a Slavic sound, as evidence by his most popular works...

Pictures at an Exhibition

Most people have heard this piece, as it's probably his most performed work. Originally composed for solo piano, Ravel created a version for orchestra which is what most people think of when they think of this title:

Piano: Evgeny Kissin | Gintaras Janusevicius | Sviatoslav Richter
Orchestra: BBC

There are so many performances of this piece, and they're all so interesting and different.

Night on Bald Mountain

Mussorgsky's other widely-heard piece is usually called Night on Bald Mountain. This version of his composition (originally called St. John's Night on the Bare Mountain) was reworked by Rimsky-Korsakov after Mussorgsky's death into the version of this piece usually performed. (Sadly, this piece was never performed at all during Mussorgsky's lifetime, and only came to be known in the version altered by Rimsky-Korskakov. The original version is gaining popularity now, though, and can be heard in performances with nearly as much regularity as the altered version.)

- Original Mussorgsky version
- Rimsky-Korsakov version

You have probably heard this piece if you've ever watched the Disney movie Fantasia or the Wizard of Oz.

- Fantasia
- Wizard of Oz - Dorothy's rescue (just the music)
- Wizard of Oz - Dorothy's rescue (with film)

Sadly, Mussorgsky died at a relatively young age. Artists of the time were seen as legitimate only if they participated in a drinking and partying lifestyle, which he did. He proved his anti-establishment credibility, but also set himself up for an early, alcoholism-related death.

If you love Mussorgsky's music, he wrote one opera (Boris Godunov), which is part of the standard opera repertoire. He was also a talented composer of songs, though he is best known for the two works highlighted above.