Emerson, Lake, & Palmer- Pictures at an Exhibition

DSCN5094 (1024x1012)This was one dollar.  In posting this album, I was thinking that I had the classical source this came from but I did not.  However, I noticed that the Houston Symphony will be presenting Pictures At An Exhibition on February 23, 25, and 26 next year.  I got my tickets along with two other shows next season.

Info on the Houston Symphony’s upcoming performance

Mussorgsky
Mussorgsky
Hartmann
Hartmann

Modest Mussorgsky(1839-1881) wrote these ten pieces in tribute to his friend, architect and artist Viktor Hartmann, who had died suddenly of an aneurysm in 1873.  A show was arranged to pay tribute to Hartmann’s work and Mussorgsky lent some of his art collection for this purpose.  He also wrote ten accompanying pieces for piano along with linking “Promenade” pieces based on 11 pieces of Hartmann’s work. Today, only six picturess have been confirmed as inspiration of this work.  Also, given Mussorgsky ‘s complicated history, this work was published five years after his death.

Remaining pictures from the Suite

The first orchestral arrangement of this work was done by Russian conductor Mikhail Tushmalov in 1891. The second of note was by British conductor Henry Wood in 1915.  However, the definite arrangement was done by Maurice Ravel in 1922.  At this point Wood withdrew and banned his arrangement.  Most critics praise Ravel’s version but there are those who claim Wood’s is superior.

Cut to more recent times, when prog rockers Emerson, Lake, and Palmer recorded this live version at Newcastle City Hall in 1971.  Performed as one complete piece, their effort uses 4 of the suite’s original pieces as well as the “Promenade”.  Original pieces as well as lyrics were also added.

DSCN5095 (1002x1024)The band’s label was not really happy to release an album of classical music so it was shelved in favor of their second album, Tarkus.  After that album’s success, the execs allowed this to be released on a budget label. The band would release another live album with Pictures At An Exhibition.  I posted it when Keith Emerson died last year.emrson_lake_and_palmer_lp_cove_0_1457707958

Earlier post on Keith Emerson

DSCN5096 (1024x627)

The album is pretty good progressive rock and roll.  One of my main criticisms, since it is one continuous piece, is that it is hard to recognize where pieces start and end.  This being said, it is a good album.  A studio recording of the Nutcracker Suite is also included.KeithEmerson

For a sample, I went with what I am assuming is part of “The Great Gates Of Kiev”.  Hartmann designed the gate for Tsar Alexander II to commemorate his escape from assassination.  Hartmann felt that it was his best work. It is the last number of the suite and I believe it is the most famous.   Here is an excerpt from this piece which runs a bit on the long side.

Hartmann's design and inspiration for the piece
Hartmann’s design and inspiration for the piece

Satisfactory Record.

 

2 thoughts on “Emerson, Lake, & Palmer- Pictures at an Exhibition”

  1. Peter Boldt, a music professor of mine, told me Ravel thought that Mussorgsky couldn’t write for orchestra so he just orchestrated it himself.

    1. Interesting. Apparently both Rimsky-Koraskov and Tchaikovsky were pretty critical of him as well.

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