Let's go classical again. Here's "Pictures At An Exhibition", one of Mussorgsky's best-known works. It was originally written for piano, but orchestrated by many others, particularly Ravel, whose score is used here. The performance is by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Georg Solti.
Peter
One of the first Classical LPs I ever bought. Thanks for the reminder today.
ReplyDeleteRavel's use of tone colors in his orchestration is first rate, but his version is ultimately French. I got to hear Ori Shahom play the original piano version live and learned the piece, especially The Great Gate of Kiev movement is Russian to the core.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the Emerson, Lake & Palmer version.
ReplyDeleteAnd, of course, it also brings to mind the Emerson Lake & Palmer version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWQct6D6HsM
ReplyDeleteFails my patent Goldenberg Shmuyle Test. Composer's scored intent is clearly that Goldenberg is a rather sinister influence, not just an immense figure and Shmuyle is a wheedling rag trade beggar cum barrow boy cum brothel doorman stereotype of his, well, particular type. The standard trick is to insert pathos into the S-rendition and lower the tempo. But then to expect George Stern (ahem) Solti to go about it any other way... :). To his credit he did record the definitive Ring Cycle, so there's that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with commenter above that original composition for piano rules. The whole point of it is to showcase pianist's mastery in producing *colour* and a humongous dynamic range. One of the best renditions of the thing I've heard is by Oksana Yablonskaya (also of the Tribe) -- and to be fair where due, some of them are amongst the best interpreters of Russian music.
ReplyDeleteI too love Emerson Lake and Palmer's Pictures at an Exhibition release yet it is of course incomplete. I have the sheet music it and this recording of course reveal that Pictures is comprised of 17 pieces including 10 piano concertos and 7 other pieces. ELP's release (it is in accurate to call it a version thereof) contains 10 Pictures pieces plus Blues Variation and the wonderful Nut Rocker
ReplyDeleteI also am a big fan of the ELP version, even though incomplete.
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