Listening Recommendation: The Great Gate of Kiev (Pictures)

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well.

We finally arrived at the final movement of the Pictures at an Exhibition, The Great Gate of Kiev.
The energy and the artistry culminate in this grand movement, providing the most satisfying ending to this magnificent work.

This movement was inspired by Hartmann's sketch for a city gate for Kiev, which he won a national competition for the design but was never built.

As mentioned in previous post, Baba Yaga movement goes directly into The Great Gate of Kiev. Take a listen (recording begins with Baba Yaga, and The Great Gate starts around 3:20)

Great Gate

This stately main theme is interrupted by different sections. For example, a more somber hymn theme interrupts twice (4:20 and 5:30). The Promenade theme returns in this movement (6:35), allowing this movement to "wrap up" the entire work.

Also, listen to the bells around 8:10 and look back at Harmann's sketch. Ravel didn't forget to represent the bells from the sketch in his orchestration 🔔

Thank you for taking the musical journey with me through Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition. I hope we get to perform this work for you in the near future.

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Baba Yaga (Pictures)

Dear Friends,

Buckle up! We have now arrived at the ninth movement of the Pictures at an Exhibition: Baba Yaga. This movement is the most terrifying movement due to its subject matter and the music that depicts it.

In Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga is a witch with a deformed figure, and the story has many variations as many folklores do. You can read more about it here:

Baba Yaga Folklore

Baba Yaga lives in a hut that rests on skinny chicken legs. Here is Hartmann's sketch:

This sketch is rather beautiful, but the music that Mussorgsky composed is violent and terrifying. 

Baba Yaga

This movement is divided into 3 sections. Two outer sections are fast paced and aggressive, while the second section, starting around 1:05 is mysterious and sneaky. This section is terrifying as well, because it sounds like the witch is lurking around waiting to strike. 

At the end of the movement, it directly leads into the finale of this work, The Great Gate of Kiev. I look forward to chatting about that final movement in my next post.

Until then, stay healthy!

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Catacombs with the Dead in a Dead Language (Pictures)

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well and healthy.

Today, let's talk about the eighth movement of the Pictures at an Exhibition: Catacombs with the Dead in a Dead Language. 

Although the previous movement (Limoges) went directly into this movement, these two movements can't be any more contrasting. Catacomb is much heavier, slower, and darker. Luckily, Harmann's artwork has survived (above^). It depicts himself and a friend being guided through a catacomb in a French cathedral.  

The only catacomb I have visited is in St. Florian, just outside of Linz, Austria, where Anton Bruckner lays to rest. My dear friend David Rahbee (who guest conducted CSO last season for All-Haydn Program) enthusiastically guided me to this site, as he is an admirer of Bruckner's works. 

Visit this site to see Bruckner's grave:

Bruckner Grave

and yes, he is surrounded by a wall of human skulls. 

I remember the air was damp and cool. As we walked quietly, the guide's voice and our footsteps echoed as we walked around. 

To me, this movement replicates these sensations. 

This movement is divided into two sections: Catacomb and "With the Dead in a Dead Language"

The first section consists of block chords with echo effects. Ravel's orchestration provides us this effect by only using brass, percussion, and darker timbered woodwinds (clarinets and bassoons), and string bass. Take a listen.

Catacomb

Then around 2:00, the second section (With the Dead in a Dead Language) of this movement begins. This section uses the melody from the Promenade, but it is accompanied by string tremolo effect (fast moving bow) which gives a chilling effect. In Ravel's orchestration, the rest of the orchestra joins in this part of the movement.

Enjoy!

Best,

Kayoko