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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
mahler123
3,321 posts
 

@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

 

chayro OP
2,984 posts
 

@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. 

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano
2,656 posts
 

@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.

newbee
4,767 posts
 

OK. FWIW I just ordered it. Better be good! :-)

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano
2,656 posts
 

Newbee,

if you don’t like it, there’s spectacular performances of Ravel and Stravinsky to listen to.

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