“Art is not an end in itself, but a means of addressing humanity.” Modest Petrowitsch Mussorgski (1839 - 1881)
This was Mussorgski’s main focus and driving force, the truthful portrayal of human life, and all its trials and tribulations. Browse our sheet music and scores, and explore all the tumultuous highs and lows of Mussorgsky’s music today.
Mussorgsky was born into a wealthy, aristocratic family with a strong military tradition. After finishing his studies at the Cadet School of the Guard in St. Petersburg, Mussorgsky joined the Russian Imperial Guard. He soon gave up his commission to focus on his music. To that end, he held various positions as a civil servant to support his artistic and social development. Having got a taste for it at Cadet School, in his mid-twenties, Mussorgsky had his first issues with alcoholism. After his mother’s death in 1865, he fell into a deep depression which, along with his bohemian lifestyle, saw his alcoholism consume him, which resulted in an inability to work as an artist and composer. Despite the sincere efforts of his friends, particularly Rimsky-Korsakov, his brighter moments became few and far between. He finally succumbed to his vices, and died at the young age of 42.
The fundament of Mussorgsky’s music is realism. Its musical expression is gross, like the truth of life. Mussorgski’s music does not enchant but captivates with its emotional and dramatic charge. With this psychologically penetrating, harsh musical language, Mussorgsky influenced the entire up-and-coming generation of modern composers at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The high point of Modest Mussorgsky’s artistic output is often viewed as his operas “Boris Godunov” and“ Khovanshchina”, which explore many new ideas, such as their dramatic musical structure, setting of folk texts, grand expressiveness amongst others. Numerous autobiographical elements can also be found in all his dramatic works.
An important part of the Mussorgsky’s work is his 60 songs, which reflect well the tragic nature of his troubled soul. The most famous symphonic works are “A Night on the Bald Mountain” and the cycle “Pictures at an Exhibition”, originally composed for piano, which today is mainly performed in the instrumental arrangement by Maurice Ravel.
for: Viola, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242651
for: Trombone, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242658
for: Treble recorder, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242649
for: Trumpet, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242661
for: Euphonium, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242656
for: Tuba (E-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242654
for: Alto saxophone, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242663
for: Horn (F), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242660
for: Horn (E-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242659
Dushkin Transcriptions
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 720933
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1383144
from "Pictures at an Exhibition"
for: Alto saxophone, piano
Music score
Item no.: 736409
after the original edition
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 744001
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1383503
Orchestrated by Rimsky-Korsakow
for: Orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 755958
Instrumentation by Maurice Ravel
for: Orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 758475
Ten Pieces
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 735815
Schott Piano Collection
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1663065
In a simple arrangement for piano
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1340997
First Publication of Original Version
for: Mixed choir (SATB), orchestra
Score
Item no.: 759144
Une nuit sur le Mont Chauve / Night on the Bare Mountain
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1640088
Transcription
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 750203
aus "Bilder einer Ausstellung"
Bearbeitung für fünf Instrumente
for: Flexible ensemble (5 voices); piano [keyboard] ad lib.
Score, parts (pdf download)
Item no.: 2072
for: 2 trumpets, organ
Organ score, Parts
Item no.: 1631801
for: Flexible ensemble (4 voices)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1210279
for: Flexible ensemble (4 voices)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1210276
for: Flexible ensemble (4 voices)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1210368
for: Flexible ensemble (4 voices)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1210277
for: Flexible ensemble (4 voices)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1210278
for: Flexible ensemble (4 voices)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1210280
The Piano Concerto
for: Piano, orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 731733
for: Marching band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1379277
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1385587
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1378949
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1382771
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1385901
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1384674
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1385171
for: Solo for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Recorder, Trombone, Euphonium Violin, Viola or Violoncello & Orchestra
Sheet music
Item no.: 1251412
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1386377
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1379520
for: Symphonic orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1386476
for: Brass band
Sheet music
Item no.: 1262423
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1386495
for: Concert band
Sheet music
Item no.: 1259996