DLIX. MUSSORSKY, Modest / RAVEL, Maurice: Pictures at an Exhibition

DLIX. MUSSORSKY, Modest (1839-1881) / RAVEL, Maurice (1875-1937)

Two versions:

1874
Evgeny Kissin, piano
(34:30)

1922
Munich Philharmonic
Valery Gergiev, cond.
(50:58)

It was probably in the year 1868 that Mussorsky befriended the artist, architect and designer Viktor Hartmann. His sudden death in '73 from an aneurysm shocked Mussorsky, and he wrote the entire work in June of '74.

The ten movements (not including the Promenade) are:

1. The Gnome
2. The Old Castle
   
3. Tuileries
4. Cattle
5. Ballet of Unhatched Chicks
6. "Samuel" Goldenberg and "Schmuÿle"
7. Limoges. The Market
8. Catacombs
9. The Hut on Hen's Legs
10. The Bogatyr Gates (in the Capital in Kiev)

The surviving Hartmann paintings (5-6; 8-10):

5. Ballet of Unhatched Chicks

6. "Samuel" Goldenberg and "Schmuÿle"

8. Catacombs

9. The Hut on Hen's Legs

10. The Bogatyr Gates (in the Capital in Kiev)

Mussorgsky imagines roving through the art exhibition, now leisurely, now briskly, in order to come close to a painting that has attracted his attention, at times sadly, thinking of his departed friend.

Let us take the same leisurely stroll through a musical gallery -- and compare and contrast the original piano music with Ravel's magnificent orchestration

Promenade

Piano:

Orchestra:

1. The Gnome

Piano:

Orchestra:

Ravel uses percussion to accent the B-Flats, and a subtle xylophone to accompany the mf melody, along with tuba and trumpet:

Promenade

A step and an octave lower than the opening.

Piano:

Orchestra:

2. The Old Castle

Piano:

Orchestra:

Ravel achieves a unique timbre with the bassoon and alto sax.

Promenade

Piano:

Staying in B Major:

Orchestra:

3. Tuileries

Piano:

Orchestra:

4. Cattle

Piano:

Orchestra:

Promenade

In D Minor and with a hint of what's to come in the penultimate bar!

Piano:

Orchestra:

5. Ballet of Unhatched Chicks

Piano:

Orchestra:

6. "Samuel" Goldenberg and "Schmuÿle"

Piano:

Orchestra:

Promenade

Piano:

7. Limoges. The Market

Piano:

Orchestra:

8. Catacombs

Piano:

Orchestra:

9. The Hut on Hen's Legs

Piano:

Orchestra:

10. The Bogatyr Gates (in the Capital of Kiev)

Piano:

Orchestra: