Mussorgsky 1950

The film follows the activities of the association of composers The Five, who draw inspiration from Russian folk art. Like many representatives of the Russian intelligentsia, these musicians feel the peasants’ plight and strive to compose works that bring attention to this poorest layer of society.

The young composer Modest Mussorgsky Aleksandr Borisov decides to devote his life to music and to make it the property of the people. Only his mother Oleksandra Vasylieva supports his “ignoble” undertakings. He leaves military service and contemplates writing a work about the peasants, together with The Five.

The Imperial Musical Society is not pleased with the activities of the composers; it excludes Mily Balakirev Vladimir Balashov. The writer Vladimir Stasov Nikolai Cherkasov expresses his opinion by calling the Society newspaper musical liars, eventually ending up in court for libel and facing a monetary penalty. During a trial, many supporters of The Five are presented.

A peasant music school, created by the composers, is described amid mounting debts. Meanwhile, not one of the editions of Mussorgsky’s opera Boris Godunov is allowed to appear in the imperial theaters. The directorate surrenders when the whole city begins to protest; the opera becomes a tremendous success. Boris Godunov radically changes the direction of Russian composers.