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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
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano
2,653 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
2,653 posts
 

Newbee,

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

hartf36's avatar
hartf36
206 posts
 

If you’d like to hear a sonically spectacular version, Jean Guillou transcribed it for organ and it was recorded on the Dorian label.  It will give your subs a workout.  I love it.

+1.  "Gnomus" will tell you just how far your sub(s) REALLY go. 😉

chayro OP
2,982 posts
 

So this is funny- I said above that I ordered the Yamashita guitar version on CD, but apparently I ordered the sheet music, which looks like what we used to call flyshit back in my musical years, meaning a lot of notes. I have a friend who plays guitar that will probably like to fool around with it. A lesson to read carefully. 

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