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Pictures at an Exhibition

For someone who studied music in college, I somehow managed to miss Moussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition until now. I admit I’m not a fan of large-scale orchestral works, so I avoided it not knowing that it was originally written for solo piano. I picked up both CD and vinyl copies of the solo piano version and I think it is fabulous. A wonderful mix of simplicity and virtuosity and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’m definitely tempted to pick up another version.

Plese let me know if you are aware of any outstanding performances of this piece. Thanks 

chayro
simonmoon's avatar
simonmoon
475 posts
 

I am partial to:

Fritz Reiner - Chicago Symphony 

Riccardo Muti - Philadelphia Orchestra

Seiji Ozawa - Chicago Symphony 

tablejockey
3,792 posts
 

You know it's all about the conductor getting the orchestra inline.

2 period LP's that sound great because of conductors and recording-

mussorgsky-ravel-pictures-at-an-exhibition-reiner-2lp-45rpm-200g-vinyl-living-stereo-analogue-productions.jpg (600×600)MC0zNTI3LmpwZWc.jpeg (378×373)

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
843 posts
 

I have both! I don't like London squeezing all of Pictures on one side of the LP for both the orchestra and solo piano, each on a side. Dynamic range and bass have to be cut!

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
843 posts
 

The Reiner/CSO is possibly the best recording of the orchestral version. Lewis Layton recording engineer for this and other Reiner/CSO's. I have the RCA .5 Series half-speed remaster made from the analog tapes.

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mayoradamwest
429 posts
 

I think audiophiles want to think the conductor has some magic, but it’s the players doing 97% of it. The conductor can make small changes with tempi and dynamics, but that’s it. Conductors are, however, very good at marketing. Also, modern orchestras play much much better. 

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