Modest Mussorgski

Night on Bald Mountain

Modest Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain, arranged for clarinet choir by Hendrik Jan Lindhout. Night on Bald Mountain is a famous composition by the Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky. The piece was written in 1867 and depicts a witches' Sabbath on St. John's Eve, a holiday in Russia celebrated on the night of June 23rd. In the orchestral version, the piece opens with a dark and ominous introduction, menacing strings over the low brass and strings. As the music builds in intensity, the listener can hear the sounds of the supernatural, including ghostly howls and shrieks. The piece concludes with a quieter, more peaceful melody, which represents a vision of the dawn. Night on Bald Mountain is one of Mussorgsky's most popular works and has been featured in many films, including Disney's Fantasia.