Mussorgsky and the Mighty Handful
Quiz Yourself About Mussorgsky and the Mighty Handful
5.
What caused Mussorgsky’s early death at 42?
Mussorgsky died from complications having to do with his alcoholism. When Mussorgsky entered the Cadet School of the Guards at age 13, he found himself in a brutal place, especially for new recruits. This school is likely where he began his eventual path to alcoholism. His first serious bout of alcoholism in 1865, when his mother died. In the years around 1870, Mussorgsky began to have ‘fits of madness’ that were likely related to alcoholism. His decline accelerated in the late 1870s, and he was unable to complete a number of works. He declared to a friend in 1881 that there was ‘nothing left but begging’, and he had sever seizures in rapid succession. One week after his 42nd birthday he died. Moral: DON’T DRINK!
Portrait of Mussorgsky by Ilya Repin. Repin painting this portrait of Mussorgsky just a few days before the composer’s death. You can clearly see that he was not in good health.
6.
What famous Russian critic/writer came up with the title the Mighty Handful?