Modest Mussorgsky was born in Karevo, Russia on March 21, 1839. As Mussorgsky grew up his mother gave him piano lessons. At a young age of nine, Mussorgsky played a Field Concerto in front of an audience in his home. He must have been very social and have excelled at playing the piano at a concert. At the age of 13 in 1852, Mussorgsky enrolled in the Guard's Cadet School. He had to have a lot of courage and bravery to enroll in the Military academy. At the age of 17, Mussorgsky attempted to write his first opera without any knowledge of harmony or musical composition. A year later, Mussorgsky met some friends in the Guards who introduced him to Balakirev. He convinced Balakirev to teach him how to compose and piano sonalos. This was surprising to me because by now I believe he would have been further developed in his musical skills.

Mussorgsky went through a spiritual depression, in which he dropped out of the military, had trouble composing works, and began managing the family estate. He was in his depression from 1858-1862. In 1863-66 he began composing Salammbo' in which he never completed. I believe that he meant to finish it but something interfered with his life causing him to put it down. Mussorgsky, in 1867, went to stay at his brother's house in Miniko, Russia. While in Miniko, he wrote Night on Bald Mountain. I believe that Night on Bald Mountain was Mussorgsky's best work because it featured the low brass section since the trombones do not always hold the melody. Mussorgsky continued to compose for the rest of his life; however, most of his works were unfinished. Mussorgsky died in St. Petersburg on March 28, 1881 at the age of 42.