Modest Mussorgsky

Composer

Birthday March 21, 1839

Birth Sign Aries

Birthplace Toropets, Russia

DEATH DATE Mar 28, 1881 (42)

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About

Innovative Romantic composer known for "Night on Bald Mountain" and "Pictures at an Exhibition." He was one of The Five.

Before Fame

He began to heavily drink while at military school after the school's director General Sutgof encouraged such habits in his students. He would eventually struggle with severe alcoholism.

Trivia

His "Night on Bald Mountain," while well-known, is rarely performed in its original form.

Family Life

He was born into the thirtieth generation following Rurik the Great, the first King of ancient Kiev Rus; his family was comprised of wealthy landowners and as a result, belonged to the Russian Landed Gentry.

Associated With

His musical abilities were so advanced that he was able to play a John Field concerto and works by Franz Liszt for family and friends when he was six.