Russian composer and pianist, best known for his works "Paintings at an Exhibition" and "Boris Godunov".
Born in a wealthy family, he was introduced into music and was taught the piano by his mother who was also a pianist. He was a promising talent, studied piano and composition at St. Petersburg Conservatory and published his first composition at 12. However, his music education was erratic. At his early 20s he was forced to take a clerical job due to the loss of the family real estate so he was composing only part-time, as he was being prepared for a military career.
Mussorgsky was a complex and troubled man. Following the death of his mother, he fell into depression and became addicted to alcohol. This addiction led him into having several nervous breakdowns.
In his music, Mussorgsky tried to achieve a unique Russian musical identity, in defiance of the popular convention of Western music. He was inspired by Russian folklore music and Russian traditions. He also became part and was influenced by a circle of five important at the time Russian composers, referred to as "The Five".
Due to his fragile mental state, Mussorgsky did not compose many works. He died in poverty, from alcoholism. He has been described as a music genius who was however not appreciated in his lifetime, and died from his bad luck and addiction. His friend Rimsky-Korsakov was the most significant reviser of his work which has come into light only recently.
