Today, let's talk about the first movement of Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition, The Gnome.
Hartmann's artwork that inspired Mussorgsky to write this movement is now lost, but Vladimir Stasov (a critic and a champion of Russian music and Mussorgsky's friend) recalls that it was a wooden nutcracker in a form of a gnome with large teeth and crooked legs.
I image it looked like this:
*Please excuse my drawing. I got a B in art class in middle school
In any case, the music reflects erratic behavior of a gnome: rapidly changing tempos, abrupt interjections of forzandi, frequent start and stop depicting erratic movement, dark lurking orchestration by Ravel (prominent use of low strings and woodwinds), and jagged intervals.
Take a listen:
I hope you enjoy this movement. Next time, we'll chat about The Old Castle. Until then, stay healthy!
Best,
Kayoko
