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Last broadcast on Sun, 25 Oct 2009, 17:00 on BBC Radio 3.
Synopsis
In front of an audience at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff, Charles Hazlewood joins the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and pianist Ashley Wass for an examination of both the original piano and the orchestral versions of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. Charles is also joined in his analysis by David Nice, an authority on Russian music.
What exactly were the images that so fired Mussorgsky's imagination and what do they tell us about the personality of this complex and often misunderstood 19th-century composer? Why did the composer seek a synthesis of Western and Slavic influences, and to what extent is Pictures an 'international' piece, countering arguments that Ravel's orchestration is not Russian enough?
Following the death of his close friend, Russian artist Victor Hartmann in 1873, Mussorsgky attended an exhibtion of his work and was inspired to compose a piano suite depicting some of the paintings, drawings and designs that he had seen. The composer wrote the suite very quickly and it became a potent example of his Russian nationalist sentiments and his desire to 'realistically' capture pictorial ideas in music. The piano suite cried out to be arranged for orchestra, and one who took up the challenge was Frenchman Maurice Ravel, who made his remarkable orchestration in 1922. The work has never waned in popularity since.
Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks
Canary Chicks in their Shells; a Costume Sketch for Gerber's Ballet Trilbi by Victor Hartmann (Institute of Russian Literature, Pushkin House, Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg)
Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuÿle
A Rich Jew in a Fur Hat by Victor Hartmann (State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow)
Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuÿle
A Poor Jew by Victor Hartmann (State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow)
Catacombs
Paris Catacombs including Hartmann, V. Kenel and guide with lantern, by Victor Hartmann (State Russian Museum, St Petersburg)
The Hut on Fowl's Legs
Baba-Yaga’s Hut on Hen’s Legs; Sketch for a Clock in Russian Style by Victor Hartmann (National Library of Russia)
The Great Gate of Kiev
Design for Kiev City Gate: Main Façade by Victor Hartmann (Institute of Russian Literature, Pushkin House, Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg)
Mussorgsky on Composer of the Week
Modest Mussorgsky is BBC Radio 3's Composer of the Week from Monday 26 October 2009.
The programmes include other arrangements of movements from Pictures at an Exhibition (for 2 accordions, guitar and Moog synthesiser) and the complete original piano version.
Listening Notes - Pictures at an Exhibition
View detailed Listening Notes on Pictures at an Exhibition
Online Video Library - Pictures at an Exhibition
View a complete performance of the work, a detailed analysis, and a discussion of the background to the music.
Broadcast
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Sun 25 Oct 200917:00
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