Short bio Modest Mussorgsky
Birthday:
1839 in Karevo, Pskov, Russia
Died:
1881 in St. Petersburg, Russia
Genre:
Classical
Period:
Romantic
Full biography Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Mussorgsky was a Russian composer who lived during the 19th century. He was born on March 21, 1839, in Karevo, Russia, and grew up in a family of aristocrats. Mussorgsky's musical talent was apparent from a young age, and he began piano lessons at the age of six.
Mussorgsky is best known for his piano compositions and opera works. His most famous opera is "Boris Godunov," which tells the story of the Tsar of Russia, Boris Godunov. It premiered in 1874, and Mussorgsky's unique and innovative approach to composition shone through in the opera. The music was raw, powerful, and dramatic - reflecting the turbulent times of Russia's history.
In addition to his opera works, Mussorgsky was also known for his piano compositions, which often featured unconventional time signatures and complex rhythms. These pieces were inspired by Russian folk melodies and often captured the spirit of everyday life in Russia, with titles such as "Pictures at an Exhibition."
Despite his immense talent, Mussorgsky struggled with alcoholism and financial issues throughout his life. He died on March 28, 1881, at the age of 42, due to alcohol-related complications.
Today, Mussorgsky's music is still widely celebrated and respected for its unique approach to composition. He remains one of Russia's most famous and influential composers, and his works continue to inspire musicians and audiences alike.
Compositions featuring Modest Mussorgsky
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Songs & Dances of Death (Pesni y plyaski smerti; 4), song cycle for voice & orchestra, orchestration by Shostakovich | 15:53 min | Vocal Music | 1962 |
| 2 | Khovanshchina, opera in 5 acts, edited by Shostakovich | 133:48 min | Opera | 1960 |
| 3 | Boris Godunov, opera (Shostakovich edition) | Opera | 1959 | |
| 4 | Dawn on the Moscow River, prelude for orchestra (from Khovanshchina), edited by Shostakovich | 6:03 min | Orchestral | 1955 |
| 5 | Three Pieces on Themes from the Opera "Boris Godunov," arranged for piano by Alexander Kamensky | 8:00 min | Keyboard | 1953 |
| 6 | Night on Bald Mountain (Noch' na Lïsoy gore), symphonic poem, edited by Stokowski | 10:24 min | Orchestral | 1938 |
| 7 | Gopak (Hopak), for violin & piano, transcribed by Dushkin from the opera Sorochintsï Fair | 1:59 min | Chamber Music | 1926 |
| 8 | Gopak (Hopak), for orchestra, transcribed by Liadov from the opera Sorochintsï Fair | 2:00 min | Orchestral | 1913 |
| 9 | Khovanshchina, opera in 5 acts, edited by Ravel & Stravinsky | Opera | 1913 | |
| 10 | Parassia's Dumka, for orchestra (from the opera Sorochinskï Fair), edited by Liadov | Orchestral | 1913 | |
| 11 | Sorochinskï Fair: Overture, for orchestra, edited by Liadov | 5:38 min | Orchestral | 1913 |
| 12 | Boris Godunov, opera (Rimsky-Korsakov edition) | 173:53 min | Opera | 1896 |
| 13 | Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrations other than Ravel's | 31:15 min | Orchestral | 1896 |
| 14 | Dance of the Persian Slaves, for orchestra (from the opera Khovantschina), edited by Rmsky-Korsakov | 6:44 min | Orchestral | 1886 |
| 15 | Introduction and Polonaise, for orchestra (from Boris Godunov), edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 3:30 min | Orchestral | 1886 |
| 16 | Night on Bald Mountain (Noch' na Lïsoy gore), symphonic poem, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 10:58 min | Orchestral | 1886 |
| 17 | Solemn March, for orchestra (from the opera Khovanshchina), edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 5:30 min | Orchestral | 1886 |
| 18 | Golitsyn's Jouney, entr'acte for orchestra (from Khovanshchina), transcribed by Rimsky-Korsakov | 4:26 min | Orchestral | 1883 |
| 19 | Dawn on the Moscow River, prelude for orchestra (from Khovanshchina), edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 5:32 min | Orchestral | 1882 |
| 20 | Songs & Dances of Death (Pesni y plyaski smerti; 4), song cycle for voice & orchestra, orchestration by Glazunov & Rimsky-Korsakov | 13:30 min | Vocal Music | 1882 |
| 21 | The Angel Cried (Angel vopiyashe), for chorus (doubtful), edted by Levashov | 1:32 min | Choral | 1881 |
| 22 | Au village (In the Village), quasi fantasia for piano | 4:07 min | Keyboard | 1880 |
| 23 | Méditation (Razdumye), albumleaf for piano | 4:51 min | Keyboard | 1880 |
| 24 | Near the Southern Shore of the Crimea: Canoes (Bliz yuzhnogo berega Krïma: Bajdarki), for piano | 3:52 min | Keyboard | 1880 |
| 25 | Russian Folksongs (5), for male chorus | 20:52 min | Choral | 1880 |
| 26 | Sleza (A Tear), for piano | 3:40 min | Keyboard | 1880 |
| 27 | Sorochintsï Fair: Dream of the Peasant Gritsko (Night on Bald Mountain), for chorus & orchestra | 10:42 min | Choral | 1880 |
| 28 | The Capture of Kars (Vzyatiye Karsa), triumphal march for orchestra, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 5:18 min | Orchestral | 1880 |
| 29 | Vocalises (3), for female chorus | Choral | 1880 | |
| 30 | Mephistopheles' Song of the Flea, for voice & piano or orchestra, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 3:14 min | Vocal Music | 1879 |
| 31 | On the Dnieper (Na Dnepre), song for voice & piano, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 5:16 min | Vocal Music | 1879 |
| 32 | On the Southern Shore of the Crimea (Na yuzhnom beregu Krïma: Gkhurzuf by Ayu-Dag), for piano | 5:21 min | Keyboard | 1879 |
| 33 | Yarema's Song (On the Dnieper), song for voice & piano | 5:05 min | Vocal Music | 1879 |
| 34 | The Wanderer (Strannik), song for voice & piano, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 1:22 min | Vocal Music | 1878 |
| 35 | Field-Marshal Death (Polkovodets), song for voice & piano (Songs & Dances of Death No. 4) | 8:16 min | Vocal Music | 1877 |
| 36 | Is Spinning Man's work? (Oy, chest' li to molodtsu pryasti?), song for voice & piano | 1:58 min | Vocal Music | 1877 |
| 37 | It Scatters and Breaks (Rassevayetsya, rasstupayetsya), song for voice & piano, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 2:10 min | Vocal Music | 1877 |
| 38 | Joshua (Jesus Navin), cantata for 2 vocal soloists, chorus & orchestra or piano, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 5:43 min | Choral | 1877 |
| 39 | Master Haughty (Spes'), song for voice & piano | 2:21 min | Vocal Music | 1877 |
| 40 | Misfortune (Ne bozhim gromom udarillo), song for voice & piano, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 2:38 min | Vocal Music | 1877 |
| 41 | Softly the Spirit Flew up to Heaven (Gornimi tikho letela), song for voice & piano, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 2:53 min | Vocal Music | 1877 |
| 42 | The Vision (Videniye), song for voice & piano, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 2:35 min | Vocal Music | 1877 |
| 43 | Cruel Death: An Epitaph (Nadgrabnoye pis'mo), for voice & piano, completed by Karatïgin | 3:43 min | Vocal Music | 1875 |
| 44 | Death's cradle-song (Kolïbel'naya), song for voice & piano (Songs & Dances of Death No. 2) | 5:07 min | Vocal Music | 1875 |
| 45 | Serenade, song for voice & piano (Songs & Dances of Death No. 3) | 4:44 min | Vocal Music | 1875 |
| 46 | Songs & Dances of Death (Pesni y plyaski smerti; 4), song cycle for voice & piano, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 15:18 min | Vocal Music | 1875 |
| 47 | The Misunderstood One (Neponyatnaya), song for voice & piano, edited by Karatïgin | 2:10 min | Vocal Music | 1875 |
| 48 | Trepak, song for voice & piano (Songs & Dances of Death No. 1) | 4:58 min | Vocal Music | 1875 |
| 49 | Boredom (Skuchay), song for voice & piano (Sunless No. 4) | 2:54 min | Vocal Music | 1874 |
| 50 | Elegy (Elegiya), song for voice & piano (Sunless No. 5) | 5:02 min | Vocal Music | 1874 |
| 51 | Forgotten (Zabïtïy), ballad for voice & piano | 2:20 min | Vocal Music | 1874 |
| 52 | On the river (Nad rekoy), song for voice & piano (Sunless No. 6) | 4:51 min | Vocal Music | 1874 |
| 53 | Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel | 27:09 min | Orchestral | 1874 |
| 54 | Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for piano | 32:32 min | Keyboard | 1874 |
| 55 | Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for piano & orchestra, orchestrated by Lawrence Leonard | 32:19 min | Orchestral | 1874 |
| 56 | Sorochintsï Fair (Sorochinskaya yarmarka), comic opera (incomplete) | 35:33 min | Opera | 1874 |
| 57 | Sunless (Bez solntsa; 6), song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra) | 10:31 min | Vocal Music | 1874 |
| 58 | The idle, noisy day is ended (Okonchen prazdnïy), song for voice & piano (Sunless No. 3) | 4:33 min | Vocal Music | 1874 |
| 59 | The Mound of Nettles (Krapivnaya gora), song for voice & piano (incomplete) | 2:47 min | Vocal Music | 1874 |
| 60 | Within four walls (V chetïryokh stenakh), song for voice & piano (Sunless No. 1) | 2:15 min | Vocal Music | 1874 |
| 61 | You didn't know me in a crowd (Menya tï v tolpe ne uznala), song for voice & piano (Sunless No. 2) | 0:56 min | Vocal Music | 1874 |
| 62 | Fair Scene from Sorochinskï Fair, for piano, transcribed by Mussorgsky | 5:05 min | Keyboard | 1872 |
| 63 | Festive March, for orchestra (intended as insertion for the collaborative opera Mlada) | 5:18 min | Orchestral | 1872 |
| 64 | Gopak (Hopak), for piano, transcribed by Mussorgsky from the opera Sorochintsï Fair | 1:45 min | Keyboard | 1872 |
| 65 | Khovanshchina, opera in 5 acts, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 112:37 min | Opera | 1872 |
| 66 | On the Hobbyhorse (Poyekhal na palochke), song for voice & piano (The Nursery No. 6) | 3:39 min | Vocal Music | 1872 |
| 67 | The cat sailor (Kot Matros), song for voice & piano (The Nursery No. 7) | 2:05 min | Vocal Music | 1872 |
| 68 | Boris Godunov, opera in 4 acts with a prologue (1872 version) | 194:34 min | Opera | 1871 |
| 69 | Evening Song (Vechernyaya pesenka), song for voice & piano, edited by Karatïgin | 1:25 min | Vocal Music | 1871 |
| 70 | The Seamstress (Shveya), scherzino for piano | 2:39 min | Keyboard | 1871 |
| 71 | Going to sleep (Na son gryadushchiy), for voice & piano (The Nursery No. 5) | 2:21 min | Vocal Music | 1870 |
| 72 | Penny-Paradise (Rayok), satire for voice & piano | 14:11 min | Vocal Music | 1870 |
| 73 | The Beetle (Zhuk), song for voice & piano (The Nursery No. 3) | 2:37 min | Vocal Music | 1870 |
| 74 | With the Doll (S kukloy), song for voice & piano (The Nursery No. 4) | 2:01 min | Vocal Music | 1870 |
| 75 | Boris Godunov, opera | 83:36 min | Opera | 1868 |
| 76 | Boris Godunov, opera (1869 version) | 148:53 min | Opera | 1868 |
| 77 | Child's Song (Detskaya pesnya), song for voice & piano | 1:21 min | Vocal Music | 1868 |
| 78 | Eremushka's Lullaby (Kolïbel'naya Eryomushki), song for voice & piano | 3:54 min | Vocal Music | 1868 |
| 79 | In the Corner (V uglu), song for voice & piano (The Nursery No. 2) | 1:51 min | Vocal Music | 1868 |
| 80 | Night (Noch'), fantasy for voice & orchestra | 3:34 min | Vocal Music | 1868 |
| 81 | The Marriage (Zhenit'ba), comic opera in 1 act (unfinished) | 38:19 min | Opera | 1868 |
| 82 | The Nursery (Detskaya; 7), song cycle for voice & piano, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 11:30 min | Vocal Music | 1868 |
| 83 | The Orphan (Sirotka), song for voice & piano | 2:02 min | Vocal Music | 1868 |
| 84 | With Nurse (S nyaney), song for voice & piano (The Nursery No. 1) | 2:09 min | Vocal Music | 1868 |
| 85 | A Society Tale: The Goat (Svetskaya skazochka: kozyol), song for voice & piano | 2:29 min | Vocal Music | 1867 |
| 86 | Gathering Mushrooms (Po gribï), song for voice & piano | 1:30 min | Vocal Music | 1867 |
| 87 | Hebrew Song (Yevreyskaya pesnya), song for voice & piano | 2:58 min | Vocal Music | 1867 |
| 88 | Intermezzo in modo classico, for orchestra in B minor, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 7:27 min | Orchestral | 1867 |
| 89 | Sleep, sleep peasant son (Spi, uspi krest' yanskiy sïn), song for voice & piano | 4:48 min | Vocal Music | 1867 |
| 90 | St. John's Night on the Bare Mountain (Ivanova noch' na Lisoy gore), symphonic poem for orchestra | 11:06 min | Orchestral | 1867 |
| 91 | The Classicist (Klassik), a "musical pamphlet" for voice & piano | 3:10 min | Vocal Music | 1867 |
| 92 | The Feast (Pirushka), for voice & piano | 2:22 min | Vocal Music | 1867 |
| 93 | The Garden by the Don (Po nad Donom sad tsvetyot), song for voice & piano (edited by Rimsky-Korsakov) | 2:04 min | Vocal Music | 1867 |
| 94 | The Magpie (Strekotun'ya beloboka), "musical jest" (song) for voice & piano | 2:03 min | Vocal Music | 1867 |
| 95 | The Street Urchin (Ozornik; The Ragamuffin), song for voice & piano | 2:09 min | Vocal Music | 1867 |
| 96 | Darling Savishna (Svetik Savishna), song for voice & piano | 2:09 min | Vocal Music | 1866 |
| 97 | Dear one, why are thine eyes sometimes so Cold? (Malyutka), song for voice & piano | 2:45 min | Vocal Music | 1866 |
| 98 | Desire (Zhelaniye), song for voice & piano, edited by Karatïgin | 3:01 min | Vocal Music | 1866 |
| 99 | From my tears (Iz slyoz moikh), song for voice & piano | 2:59 min | Vocal Music | 1866 |
| 100 | Gopak (Hopak), song for voice & piano | 2:56 min | Vocal Music | 1866 |
| 101 | Kalistrat, song for voice & piano, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 4:38 min | Vocal Music | 1866 |
| 102 | The Destruction of Sennacherib (Porazheniye Sennakheriba), for chorus & orchestra | 6:13 min | Choral | 1866 |
| 103 | The Seminarist, song for voice & piano | 4:02 min | Vocal Music | 1866 |
| 104 | You Drunken Sot! (Akh tï, p'yanaya teterya!), song for voice & piano | 3:12 min | Vocal Music | 1866 |
| 105 | Childhood Memories (Iz vospominaniy detstva), 2 pieces for piano, edited by Karatïgin | 2:55 min | Keyboard | 1865 |
| 106 | Cradle Song (Kolïbel'naya pesnya), song for voice & piano | 4:51 min | Vocal Music | 1865 |
| 107 | First Punishment (Pervoye nakzaniye), for piano (Childhood Memories No. 2), edited by Karatïgin | 2:04 min | Keyboard | 1865 |
| 108 | La Capricieuse (Shalunja), for piano (after L. Heyden) | 2:28 min | Keyboard | 1865 |
| 109 | Nanny and I (Nyanya i ya), for piano (From Memories of Childhood No. 1) | 1:55 min | Keyboard | 1865 |
| 110 | Prayer (Molitva), song for voice & piano | 3:20 min | Vocal Music | 1865 |
| 111 | Rêverie (Duma), for piano (on a theme by Loginov), edited by Karatïgin | 4:43 min | Keyboard | 1865 |
| 112 | The Outcast (Otverzhennaya), essay in recitative for voice & piano | 2:51 min | Vocal Music | 1865 |
| 113 | Kalistratushka, for voice & piano | 5:56 min | Vocal Music | 1864 |
| 114 | Night (Noch'), fantasy for voice & piano | 3:56 min | Vocal Music | 1864 |
| 115 | The Wild Winds Blow (Duyut vetrï), song for voice & piano | 4:50 min | Vocal Music | 1864 |
| 116 | I have many palaces and gardens (Mnogo yest' u menya teremov u sadov), song for voice & piano | 3:08 min | Vocal Music | 1863 |
| 117 | King Saul (King Saul), for voice & piano or orchestra, orchestration by Glazunov | 3:03 min | Vocal Music | 1863 |
| 118 | King Saul Before the Battle (Pes'n Saula pered boyem), song for voice & piano | 2:48 min | Vocal Music | 1863 |
| 119 | Salammbô (The Libyan), opera in 4 acts (incomplete) | Opera | 1863 | |
| 120 | Song of the Balearic Islander, for voice & orchestra (from the opera Salammbô) | Vocal Music | 1863 | |
| 121 | Song of the Balearic Islander, for voice & piano (from the opera Salammbô) | 3:12 min | Vocal Music | 1863 |
| 122 | The Harper's Song (Pesn' startsa), song for voice & piano | 3:00 min | Vocal Music | 1863 |
| 123 | We parted coldly, but if I could meet thee again (No yesli bï s toboyu ya vstretit'sya mogla), song for voice & piano | 2:41 min | Vocal Music | 1863 |
| 124 | Intermezzo in modo classico (2 versions), for piano | 6:48 min | Keyboard | 1861 |
| 125 | Work(s), Opera(s) | Opera | 1861 | |
| 126 | Sonata, for piano, 4 hands in C major | 10:22 min | Keyboard | 1860 |
| 127 | What are words of love to you? (Chto vam slova lyubvi?), song for voice & piano | 1:54 min | Vocal Music | 1860 |
| 128 | Ein Kinderscherz (A Children's Prank), scherzo for piano | 3:37 min | Keyboard | 1859 |
| 129 | Impromptu passionné, for piano, edited by Karatïgin | 3:11 min | Keyboard | 1859 |
| 130 | Happy Hour: Capriccio (Vesoylïy chas, I & II), song for voice & piano | 2:15 min | Vocal Music | 1858 |
| 131 | Meines Herzens Sehnsucht (My Heart's Desire), song for voice & piano | 2:54 min | Vocal Music | 1858 |
| 132 | Oedipus in Athens: Scene in the Temple, incidental music for chorus & orchestra, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov | 3:07 min | Choral | 1858 |
| 133 | Scherzo, for orchestra in B flat major (edited by Rimsky-Korsakov) | 3:29 min | Orchestral | 1858 |
| 134 | Scherzo, for piano in B flat major | 4:10 min | Keyboard | 1858 |
| 135 | Scherzo, for piano in C sharp minor (edited by Karatïgin) | 4:23 min | Keyboard | 1858 |
| 136 | Tell me why, o maiden (Otchego, skazhi), song for voice & piano | 2:34 min | Vocal Music | 1858 |
| 137 | The Leaves Were Sadly Rustling (List'ya shumeli unïlo), song for voice & piano | 3:47 min | Vocal Music | 1858 |
| 138 | Where art thou, little Star? (Gde tï, zvezdochka?), song for voice & orchestra | 3:36 min | Vocal Music | 1858 |
| 139 | Work(s), for chorus | Choral | 1858 | |
| 140 | Souvenir d'enfance, for piano | 4:01 min | Keyboard | 1857 |
| 141 | Where art thou, little Star? (Gde tï, zvezdochka?), song for voice & piano | 3:44 min | Vocal Music | 1857 |
| 142 | Work(s), Song(s) for voice & piano | Vocal Music | 1857 | |
| 143 | Porte-Enseigne Polka (Ensign Polka), for piano | 2:59 min | Keyboard | 1852 |
| 144 | Songs & Dances of Death (Pesni y plyaski smerti; 4), song cycle for voice & piano | 19:36 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 145 | Work(s), for orchestra | Orchestral | - | |
| 146 | Work(s), for piano | Keyboard | - |
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