“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.
Gm
for: Piano
Piano Solo
Item no.: 1047865
Eb
for: Piano, Trombone
Instrumental Solo & Piano Accompaniment
Item no.: 1613016
for: Flute, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242668
for: Oboe, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242667
for: Tenor saxophone (B-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242662
aus "Bilder einer Ausstellung"
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1487
aus: Kindheitserinnerungen
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 2704
from: Pictures at an Exhibition
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 721802
for: Brass band
Sheet music
Item no.: 1262423
for: Viola, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242651
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1383503
op. posth. 70/18
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 731815
for: Trombone, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242658
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1386377
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1379520
from "Pictures at an Exhibition"
for: Alto saxophone, piano
Music score
Item no.: 736409
First Publication of Original Version
for: Mixed choir (SATB), orchestra
Score
Item no.: 759144
Eb
for: Piano, Trombone
Instrumental Solo & Piano Accompaniment
Item no.: 1613015
for: Treble recorder, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242649
for: Marching band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1379277
Schott Piano Collection
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1663065
for: Concert band
Sheet music
Item no.: 1259996
for: Trumpet, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242661
for: Symphonic orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1386476
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1378949
(Le ruisseau / Wellengeriesel)
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 757663
aus dem Klavierzyklus "Bilder einer Ausstellung"
Transkription für Gitarre
for: Guitar
Sheet music
Item no.: 2394
Ten Pieces
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 735815
after the original edition
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 744001
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1385587
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1385171
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1383144
for: Flexible ensemble (4 voices)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1210280
for: Euphonium, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242656
for: Tuba (E-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1242654
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1385901
(op. posth. 70/18)
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 741391
G
for: Piano
Piano Solo
Item no.: 1049584
In a simple arrangement for piano
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1340997
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
for: Easy Piano
Item no.: 1366083
for: Voice (medium), piano
Music score
Item no.: 779860
Une nuit sur le Mont Chauve / Night on the Bare Mountain
for: Piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1640088