| Among the piano works of Modest Mussorgsky, the suite "Pictures at an Exhibition," written in 1874, is of particular importance. It was composed after Mussorgsky saw the paintings and drawings of his friend Victor Hartmann. The composer put into music the various impressions he received from Hartmann's pictures. This piano suite represents one of numerous masterpieces among Russian piano works of the nineteenth century.;The purpose of this document is two-fold: first, to present an analysis of the piano suite "Pictures at an Exhibition," and second, to suggest several technical solutions to problems I encountered while preparing the work for public performance. The suite contains an introduction and 10 different character pieces which are connected by four interludes. In the analysis, I will relate the music to the picture, clarifying both subtle and obvious connection between the music and the pictorial image. The goal of my analysis is to perform the work with more accurate interpretation and understanding. The suite requires highly demanding pianistic technique due to its dramatic and expressive contrasts in several sections. I plan to provide suggestions for performance of these sections in Chapter Four.;The document is organized into four chapters: Chapter one introduces Mussorgsky's personal background and his achievements in composition, and Hartmann's personal background and his significance as an architect, painter, and stage designer. Chapter two contains the compositional backgrounds of "Pictures at an Exhibition," including the original piano version of Mussorgsky, and the orchestrated version by Ravel.;Chapter three will discuss sections from the suite, including the literary references of the "Pictures," analysis of the music in terms of structural, melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic characteristics. Chapter four will discuss some of the technical problems which I encountered with the suite during preparation for public performance. |
PDF Full Text Request