Musorgsky and His Circle

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The emergence of Russian classical music in the nineteenth century, following Mikhail Glinka, is a remarkable story. In the 1860s, five talented composers in St. Petersburg—Mily Balakirev, César Cui, Alexander Borodin, Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, and Modest Musorgsky—despite minimal technical training, created some of the most beloved music in history. Stephen Walsh presents a vivid portrait of this group, known as the Five or moguchaya kuchka (the Mighty Little Heap). These friends and competitors reflect the cultural ferment of their time. The narrative is rich with detail, showcasing Borodin composing while conducting chemistry research, Balakirev mentoring Musorgsky, and Cui producing operas amid his military career. Musorgsky's journey from writing songs to creating the monumental Boris Godunov, all while battling poverty and depression, is particularly compelling. Influential figures like Vissarion Belinsky and Nikolay Chernïshevsky shape the cultural landscape, with critic Vladimir Stasov providing often combative support. Stephen Walsh, an accomplished musical scholar and biographer, adeptly tells this story with insight and flair, making the account both significant and enjoyable.