I was 14 years old when I first heard the sounds of “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Modest Musorgsky. This was at a live orchestral concert in Vienna, and the piece I heard was the arrangement by Maurice Ravel.
In this recording we hear the original piano version as performed by pianist Barry Douglas.
In fact, two of the most popular romantic Russian piano works from the mid-1870’s are heard on this new album. Wonderful musical lyricism is featured in the twelve movements of Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Seasons’ (1875 – 76), commissioned by the periodical “Nouvelliste” intended to appear monthly.
Tchaikovsky got his servant to remind him of his duty on a certain day in the month, and composed each piece in a single sitting. Each reflects characteristics of a different month, the style is simple, the mood introspective.
In the Musorgsky, we are walking at an Art Museum, and the composer desctibes musically what he experiences there.
Here is Mr. Douglas in the “Great Gate of Kiev” from the Musorgsky:
