Music #374 - Modest Mussorgsky

Modest Mussorgsky

[mɐˈdʲest ˈmusərkskʲɪj]
(1839 – 1881)

A Russian composer, Mussorgsky was one of the group known as "The Five". He was an innovator of Russian music in the romantic period. 
                                        

Many of his works were inspired by Russian history, Russian folklore, and other nationalist themes. Such works include the orchestral tone poem Night on Bald Mountain, and the piano suite Pictures at an Exhibition.

Night on Bald Mountain 

- orchestra tone poem

Pictures at an Exhibition 

- piano suite

(R) Alice Sara Ott 

 

(R) adaptation for orchestra

* The full suite has 10 movements:
    1. The Gnome
    2. The Old Castle
    3. The Tuileries
    4. Bydlo (A Polish ox-wagon)
    5. Ballet of the chickens emerging from their shell
    6. Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle
    7. The Market Limoges
    8. The Catacombs
    9. The Hut of Baba-yaga the Witch
   10. The Great Gate of Kiev
* Promenade (a refrain) is played once as overture, and 4 more times, between 2 movements.

* Some of the above paintings have been lost

 

* Promenade plus 2 of the 10 movements: 

     [1:38]  Mvt.9 Hut on Fowl's Legs (Baba Yaga)

   [3:45]  Mvt.10 The Great Gate of Kiev