“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.
The Great Classics
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 877903
The Great Classics
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 890051
The Great Classics
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1211255
Konzertwerk
for: Fanfare
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1000095
for: Brass band
Item no.: 260996
Oper in 4 Akten
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Score (Hardcover)
Item no.: 696685
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1198560
Oper in 4 Akten
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Score (Hardcover)
Item no.: 187728
complete version
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1665569
The Great Classics
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 885183
Full Version
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1183293
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 865135
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