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

FWIW, I just listened to some of my Mussorgsky's piano versions of 'Pictures' and clearly I overlooked Kissin's recording made early i his career. My mistake, I think. I like it quite a bit and recommend it. Pretty good recording too.

@chayro perhaps I missed it but who is the Pianist on the recording you praised in the OP?

@rvpiano recommendation is excellent.  I usually play the Richter Sofia recording that was mentioned upthread, but it does suffer from cramped mono sound and sounds like it was recorded in a TB sanitarium.  Richter is incandescent however- Bydlo in particular-and it’s one of those special musical moments where you just have to put up with the sound.  Katia is my modern go to.  Byron Janis is a very good recording from the early stereo era

 

@mahler123 - you didn’t miss it because I didn’t say. It’s Denes Varjon. And I just ordered the Yamashita guitar version on CD. Should be interesting. My vinyl version is Lorin Hollander, but I think I only listened to it once because I am waiting for a new cartridge. 

@mahler123 

 I’m glad you mentioned the Khatia performance.  I’m just re-listening to it, and indeed it is special.  Just a pensive browse through the exhibition, not a race.