Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky was a Russian composer born on March 9 [March 21, New Style], 1839, in Karevo, Russia, and he passed away on March 16 [March 28], 1881, in St. Petersburg. He is renowned for his contributions to Russian music, particularly through his opera "Boris Godunov," the orchestral tone poem "Night on Bald Mountain," and the piano suite "Pictures at an Exhibition." Mussorgsky was a key member of "The Five," a group of Russian composers dedicated to establishing a nationalist school of Russian music, alongside Aleksandr Borodin, Mily Balakirev, Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, and César Cui.

Mussorgsky's upbringing was marked by his exposure to Russian fairy tales and folk culture, which profoundly influenced his musical style. He began piano lessons with his mother, an accomplished pianist, and by the age of seven, he was already playing some of Franz Liszt's simpler pieces. His education included time at the Peter-Paul School in St. Petersburg, where he was prepared for a military career, and he later attended the School for Cadets of the Guard.

Despite his military training, Mussorgsky's passion for music persisted, and he eventually joined the Preobrazhensky Guards, where he mingled with music-loving officers and met fellow composer Aleksandr Borodin. His early compositions include the "Porte-Enseigne Polka," published with his father's support.

Mussorgsky's career was characterized by his innovative approach to Russian music, often defying Western musical conventions to create works deeply rooted in Russian history and folklore. Although many of his compositions were initially revised or completed by others, his original works have gained recognition posthumously. His life was marked by personal struggles, including depression and alcoholism, which ultimately contributed to his early death at the age of 42. Despite these challenges, Mussorgsky's legacy endures, and his music continues to be celebrated for its originality and nationalistic spirit.