Listening Recommendation: Tuileries (Pictures)

Dear Friends,

Today, let's talk about the second movement of Pictures at an Exhibition: Tuileries (Children Quarreling After Play). Unfortunately Hartmann's artwork that inspired this movement has been lost,  and I'll spare you my own rendition. Instead, you can take a look at pictures of the Tuileries Garden at Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau site: 

Tuilerie's Garden

The music is cheeky, fast paced, and repetitive. Repetitive in a sense that Mussorgsky uses simple motives (for example, notice the first 2 notes) and mockingly uses them throughout the movement. If you ever watch children play, you know they love repeating a funny phrase or word over and over and over again. (<= yes, this observation comes from myself homeschooling my child the past 2+ months.)

In terms of orchestration, Ravel uses woodwinds, 2 horns, harp, triangle, and strings without bass. This instrumentation keeps the texture light and nimble.

Take a listen:
Tuileries

Enjoy!

Best,

Kayoko