Modest Musorgsky

Russian composer Modest Petrovich Musorgsky was born at Karevo on 21 March 1839 into a wealthy family. He learnt piano with his mother from the age of six, and in three years was able to perform works by Franz Liszt and John Field. At the Peterschule in St Petersburg he studied piano with Anton Herke, and then he entered the Cadet School of the Guards, where his pianistic skills made him very popular.

In St Petersburg he met Alexander Borodin and, more importantly, the Russian nationalist composer Alexander Dargomyzhsky, who invited him to musical soirees. It was through Dargomyzhsky that he met the critic Vladimir Stasov, fellow officer and composer César Cui, and Mily Balakirev. Balakirev took Musorgsky under his wing and expanded his musical frontiers.

His music is strikingly original, but it drew criticism from contemporaries as being wild, barbaric and badly written. Best known are his opera Boris Godunov, the piano cycle Pictures at an Exhibition and the orchestral work St John's Night on Bald Mountain.

Musorgsky was prone to alcoholism, and this gradually led, over a number of years, to his decline. He died on 28 March 1881, leaving several works, including the operas Khovanshchina and Sorochyntsi Fair, incomplete.

A selection of articles about Modest Musorgsky

Spotlight. Precious, Luminous Gems - Esdras Mugatik listens to music for accordion by British composer Ronald Stevenson (1928-2015). '... a magical capacity to differentiate levels of sound ...'

Ensemble. Satisfyingly Impressive and Exciting - Ron Bierman listens to Musorgsky, Rachmaninov and Elgar in San Diego

Ensemble. Dazzling Virtuosity - Mike Wheeler listens to Valentin Silvestrov, Rachmaninov, Manuel de Falla and Musorgsky from Russian pianist Victor Maslov

Ensemble. Vertical and Horizontal Threads - Mike Wheeler listens to Sinfonia Viva's wind principals playing music by Maddy Aldis-Evans and Musorgsky

Ensemble. A Curiously Unfamiliar Masterpiece - Malcolm Miller is impressed by Hana Mizuta-Spencer's performance of Ernest Bloch's Violin Concerto

Ensemble. 'Boris' at La Scala - Giuseppe Pennisi is impressed by the HD transmission from Milan of Modest Musorgsky's opera

CD Spotlight. The Magic of Ballets Russes - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Warner Classics' box set. '... a gem which should be on the shelves of all those interested in the music of the early decades of the twentieth century ...'

Ensemble. Hugely Enjoyable - Bernstein, Marsalis and Musorgsky from Nicola Benedetti, Cristian Măcelaru and the Hallé Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Firmly Projected - Mike Wheeler listens to Schumann and Musorgsky from Sicilian-born pianist Giuseppe Guarrera

CD Spotlight. Dreams and Tales - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to piano music by Musorgsky and Scriabin played by Michele Campanella. '... the different touch from previous renderings makes this CD very well worth listening to.'

CD Spotlight. A Treasure for Posterity - Complete operas and fragments by Modest Musorgsky, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'This is a unique musical document of inestimable historic value and staggering interpretative beauty.'

Profile. Landmark Collaborations - A personal reminiscence of British conductor Lawrence Leonard, by Keith Bramich

Ensemble. Colourful and Inventive - A streamed performance of a wind arrangement of 'Pictures From an Exhibition' from Derby's Joseph Wright Gallery, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Special in Many Ways - Gerald Fenech listens to Musorgsky and Ravel, conducted by François-Xavier Roth. 'Truly hair-raising stuff, wonderfully annotated and recorded.'

CD Spotlight. Absolutely Riveting - Kent Nagano's recording of the 1869 version of Mussorgsky's 'Boris Godunov', reviewed by Gerald Fenech. 'Nagano's formidable insight is able to take the listener on a musical journey into the dark depths of the human soul. Painful, yes, but unmissable.'

Ensemble. Magnificent Symphonies - Beethoven, Shostakovich and Musorgsky from Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra impress Patrick Maxwell

CD Spotlight. From Russia with Love - Musorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Liadov orchestral music from Dmitry Kitajenko and the Gurzenich Orchestra, Cologne, impresses Gerald Fenech. 'Kitajenko draws some gorgeous playing from his Cologne forces, and dynamic and tempo markings are observed with fidelity. Also, orchestral textures are both warm and revealing of inner detail.'

Ensemble. A Popular Music Drama - Giuseppe Pennisi is impressed by Musorgsky's 'Khovanshchina' at La Scala Milan

CD Spotlight. Colourful Performance - Dmitrij Kitajenko conducts Mussorgsky and Prokofiev, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. 'Vladislav Sulimsky sings with feeling in a compact, reasonably firm baritone ...'

Ensemble. An Exciting Whirlwind - Constantinos Carydis conducts Russian and Greek music in Rome, impressing Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. More Celebratory than Elegiac - Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra at the opening of the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall season, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Explosive Classics - A Chandos orchestral compilation, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. '... the programme is as explosive as one can hope for.'

CD Spotlight. A Committed Recital - Enrique Graf plays Bach, Mendelssohn and Mussorgsky, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... bold exhilaration and striking poetry.'

Ensemble. A Neat Bit of Programming - Khachaturian, Rachmaninov, Musorgsky and Shostakovich from Freddy Kempf, the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra and Yuri Simonov, heard by Mike Wheeler

Nicely Unusual - Ingrid Jacoby plays Ponce, Fauré, Debussy and Musorgsky, and impresses Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. An Absolute Delight - Svjatoslav Richter plays Mussorgsky and Tchaikovsky, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'Remind yourself that these are live recordings from 1954-60 and you will enjoy this disc.'

Ensemble. 'Fantasia' Around The World - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the big screen in Rome

Ensemble. Vivid Performances - Derby Concert Orchestra's Christmas concert, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Musical Prowess - Robert Anderson's 'Opera Nights and Nightmares', read by Gerald Fenech

Commitment and Insight - Ingrid Jacoby plays Mozart, Chopin, Brahms and Musorgsky, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. On the Mountain Top - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening concert of the National Academy of Santa Cecilia's season

CD Spotlight. True Command - James Brawn plays Bach, Liszt, Musorgsky and Rachmaninov, recommended by Andrew Schartmann. 'The "Promenade" ... is like butter in Brawn's hands.'

DVD Spotlight. Disturbing Nightmares - Musorgsky's Boris Godunov, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'I was surprised how quickly my patience ran out.'

CD Spotlight. Subtle Nuance - Steven Osborne plays Musorgsky and Prokofiev, recommended by Ron Bierman. 'This is an outstanding release.'

Deeper Probings - A recital by Jong-Gyung Park, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Angels and Demons - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Sagra Musicale Umbra 2012

CD Spotlight. Bewitching Stuff - Symphonic poems for piano duet, recommended by Howard Smith. '... evocatively and thrillingly conveyed by Goldstone and Clemmow.'

Ensemble. Born to Excel - Recent concerts in London, heard by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Superb Playing - Bill Newman listens to a selection of instrumental chamber music in London

Ensemble. Historical Tragedy - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Palermo for the critical edition of Musorgsky's 'Boris Godunov'

Emotional Impressions - Bill Newman listens to Neapolitan pianist Clelia Cafiero

Ensemble. Plenty to Bite Into - Derby Concert Orchestra celebrates Christmas, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. A Fine Collection - Operatic bass arias sung by William Powers, heard by Paul Sarcich. '... a formidable mixture of operatic styles ...'

CD Spotlight. Eyes of History - Piano music by Mussorgsky and Prokofiev, heard by Robert Anderson. '... good value ...'

DVD Spotlight. A Disparate Experiment - 'Aria - Special Edition', reviewed by Howard Smith. 'You never know what you're gonna get.'

Ensemble. An Eclectic Mix - Mieczyslaw Weinberg's 'The Portrait' at Opera North, experienced by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. A Compelling Magnetism - Elena Kuschnerova plays Musorgsky, heard by Howard Smith. '... superbly evocative ...'

Ensemble. Exquisite Performance - Metropolitan Opera's live HD transmission of 'Boris Godunov', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Performance to Cherish - Lawrence Budmen submits a further report from the Tanglewood Festival 2010

Stimulating Fare - Eugene Alcalay plays Bartók, Dutilleux and Beethoven, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Something Magical - Andris Nelsons conducts the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Brilliantly Festive - Mike Wheeler listens to the St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra

Ensemble. Tonal Luxuriance - Lawrence Budmen reports from Tanglewood 2009

Vigorous and Declamatory - Sacha Grynyuk plays for Derby Chamber Music, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Portraits in Music - 'The Sucker Punch Requiem' by Lisle Ellis, enjoyed by Ron Bierman. 'Recommended ... to classical listeners interested in expanding their listening domain.'

Ensemble. A Passionate Attraction - The Cleveland Orchestra in Miami, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. A Skilful Balance - The Icicle Creek Piano Trio, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... rhythmically brisk, considered performances ...'

CD Spotlight. Fascinating Rarities - Taneyev string trios, heard by Julian Jacobson. '... a performance of real commitment and assurance ...'

DVD Spotlight. An Inevitable Conclusion - Musorgsky's 'Khovanshchina', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... the admirable Barcelona chorus and orchestra ...'

Ensemble. Poetic Touches - The Russian State Symphony Orchestra plays Musorgsky, Prokofiev and Rakhmaninov, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Enjoyable Colours - Russian music from Stokowski, reviewed by Patric Standford. 'The recordings do not show half a century of wear ...'

Ask Alice - Questions about Mussorgsky and about living women composers, fielded by deputy Classical Music Agony Aunt Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Thrilling Performance - The Moscow State Symphony Orchestra visits Nottingham, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Heightened Intimacy - Russian Romantic songs, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... magically touching musicianship ...'

CD Spotlight. Superbly Measured - Music by Haskell Small and Mussorgsky, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... indisputably fine pianism ...'

CD Spotlight. Fine Indeed - Stokowski symphonic transcriptions, recommended by Howard Smith. '... an unqualified testament to Stokowski's magic.'

Ensemble. The music of Julian Dawes - Malcolm Miller was at the first performance of 'Eleven Hebrew Folksongs'

CD Spotlight. Aesthetic and didactic - Music by Respighi and Mussorgsky, reviewed by George Balcombe. 'Tadaaki Otaka conjures the composer's unique sound ...'

Ensemble. Bravura virtuosity - Lawrence Budmen was at the Miami International Piano Festival

Ensemble. Contrasting pianists - by Bill Newman

Record box. Expanding repertoire - A Daniel Rubinoff saxophone recital, reviewed by Patric Standford

CD Spotlight. An indelible impression - Ewa Podles sings Russian songs and arias, appreciated by Maria Nockin. '... incredibly well done ...'

Record box. Architectural dimensions - John Bell Young listens to Evgeny Kissin's Mussorgsky

Japanese tone painting - Takemitsu, Schumann and Musorgsky. Malcolm Miller at a recent recital by Noriko Ogawa

Record Box - The Russian Psyche - Sadness in song, with Basil Ramsey