Mussorgsky’s “Pictures” in unique arrangement

Music composed from personal experience is always way more emotional and touching. And if this experience is a sad, or even tragic, the power of the piece becomes undeniable.

Such was the mournful experience Modest Mussorgsky had to come over – the loss of a close friend, Russian painter Victor Hartmann who shared composer's passion for Russian art and died at an early age of 39. Mussorgsky was so attached to this person that commemorated his creative work in his music. “Pictures at an Exhibition” were composed based on Hartmann’s paintings put on exhibition after his death.

Chicks Sketch for Trilby Ballet. V. Hartmann

Paris Catacombs. V. Hartmann

The Poor Jew. V. Hartmann

The suite consists of 10 movements that depict Mussorgsky’s vision of the 10 relative drawings. Imbued with personal emotional experience, the suite soon became a showwork for all great pianists to follow. It’s been arranged, performed and recorded many times (Maurice Ravel’s version being the most popular) but there are interpretations that are still worth having a listen. My favorite arrangement of “Pictures at an Exhibition” is written for a string orchestra by Arkadi Troitsky. The video features the suite performed by the National Philarmonic of Russia.

Cesar Cui’s Cat

Although being a very versatile person – he used to be composer, teacher, music critic, army specialist – this music character is associated with something different. At the very first mention knowing musicians will most likely relate his surname to The Mighty Five, the famous composers’ circle a member of which he was. Composing was only a part of Cesar Cui’s life and its fruit caused different reactions among colleague-composers and the public. Some outstanding composers and friends like Rimsky-Korsakov notably disparaged his music-writing skills actually. But one couldn't help but notice the deep love for Russia in most of Cui’s compositions, Alexander Pushkin apparently being composer’s favorite Russian poet. 

Mostly loved for his art-songs, Cui has also a lot of operas written. They all in one way or another touch Russian culture and bear a serious analytical character. However, there was completely different side to that. On the other hand, Cui was so much into the world of children’s concerns. His short fairy-tale opera “Puss in Boots” is pretty known today in Russian the way it was introduced there during Soviet times. However, the original version of the opera was premiered in Rome much earlier – in 1915, and exactly that rare opera version was what has become loved in a relatively narrow circle – the former Eastern Germany.

Rubinstein’s Demon

Anton Rubinstein, the celebrated Russian composer, pianist-virtuoso, conductor, educator and in general one of the key figures in the culture of Russia, composed an avalanche of music masterpieces that are widely performed at the world music stage up to now. Among them, the 20 great operas, some of which are well-known today but not so recognized when written. One of them, as surprising as it may seem, is The Demon, premiered in 1871. When the composition was ready Rubinstein gathered the so-called The Five that consisted of Mussorgsky, Cui, Stasov, Rimsky-Korsakov for a private listening. But the critics gave it a very low assessment. Moreover, about 100 opera performances were also evaluated quite unfavorably being called old-fashioned. The music West didn’t accept it at all, so the opera was not a rarity only in Russia. Now The Demon is regarded differently, it may even be considered Rubinstein’s most popular opera. In such a way, it took this wonderful work based on Lermontov’s poem much more than a dozen years to become deservedly acknowledged. 

Torelli the controversial

Like most Italians known for their passionate and highly emotional character, Giuseppe Torelli is the man of his people. Same sensuality and fineness in his music. However, not all of his fellow composers or critics were steadily sticking to the same opinion. While Hutchings considered him a composer lacking originality, Apel thought he was even over-exceptional. That’s where the controversy lies. But all agree on the fact that Torelli was at certain aspects unrivalled, even by Vivaldi who came after him. He is deservedly called the inventor of the instrumental concerto and his music language is more than inimitable. Take only the wonderful operatic aria “Tu lo sai“ (“You Know”), intense, feverish and at the same time restrained and reserved. Torelli was a pioneer in inserting slow movements in his concertos, sonatas and symphonies. Besides, he was a virtuoso violinist probably ranking one of the highest performers of his time.

Ignacio Cervantes — Six Cuban Dances

For Europeans countries of Latin America have always seemed exotic, original and full mysterious charm. Cuba is one the indisputable samples of Latin originality. A country of happy people with warm hearts and exclusive traditions. So is their culture and so is their music. Ignacio Cervantes is a virtuoso representative of his people, a prodigy composer by birth. A pioneer of native Cuban music, he showed exceptional devotion to his motherland and conveyed its beauty to the outer world through music. One of brightest dedications is a set of pieces called Six Cuban Dances, originally composed for piano. These short works are full of lively Cuban rhythms and tones. Cervantes’ Dances – or Danzas Cubanas – are perfect for any musical purpose, be it recital, educational concert or just own enjoyment. All in all, Ignacio Cervantes composed 42 dances.