Kalmus Edition

Composer: Modest Mussorgsky
Format: Sheet Music
Instrumentation: Solo Piano
Level: Advanced

The inspiration for Mussorgsky's most famous work came from his friend Victor Hartmann, an artist and architect. When Hartmann died at the early age of 39, Mussorgsky and the rest of the Russian artistic community were stunned, so they organized a memorial exhibit of his work. From that showing came Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, based on the sketches, watercolours, and architectural designs displayed at the exhibition, as well as a few private canvases that Mussorgsky had seen earlier. Each selection in this stunning masterpiece is connected by "Promenade" which moves between 5/4 and 6/4, representing the uneven gait of Mussorgsky walking to the next picture.

Movements:
1. The Gnome
Promenade
2. The Old Castle
Promenade
3. Tuileries: Children Quarreling at Play
4. Bydlo
Promenade
5. Ballet of Unhatched Chickens
6. Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle
Promenade
7. The Market Place at Limoges
8. Catacombae
Lingua Mortua
9. Hut of the Baba-Yaga
10. The Great Gate of Kiev