I listened to this piece last night. Barry Douglas rec 1987 ish. Had forgotten how much I'd enjoyed it. Anyone care to recommend an alternative recording or is Douglas as good as it gets?
Remember, piano only
thanks
You probably want the Sofia Richter.
I have Kissin, which I like very much, but I haven't heard many others. I would think the Richter would be excellent.
--Bruce
I've own the Ashkenazy performance (both piano & orchestral versions on same disc) for years (have not listened to it recently nor have I really explored other piano interpretations) - there are some well considered comments on Amazon - CLICK the image, if interested; the few negatives relate to the sound quality of older recordings, which does not seem to be an issue for most of those leaving an opinion - :)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CQ5NAEHHL._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Mussorgsky-Pictures-Exhibition-Orchestral-Ashkenazy/dp/B0000041Q6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1201798773&sr=1-1)
Quote from: SonicMan on January 31, 2008, 08:06:26 AM
I've own the Ashkenazy performance (both piano & orchestral versions on same disc) for years (have not listened to it recently nor have I really explored other piano interpretations) - there are some well considered comments on Amazon - CLICK the image, if interested; the few negatives relate to the sound quality of older recordings, which does not seem to be an issue for most of those leaving an opinion - :)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CQ5NAEHHL._AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Mussorgsky-Pictures-Exhibition-Orchestral-Ashkenazy/dp/B0000041Q6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1201798773&sr=1-1)
This is my top choice as well. The orchestral version, BTW, is Ashkenazy's own orchestration, which provides a compelling, more convincingly "Russian" alternative to the commonly performed Ravel version. I was disappointed with some odd phrasings, tempo and dynamic choices by Richter. Kissin I have not heard yet.
IMHO, Horowitz live recording in 1950 is not only the best
Pictures ever done, but one of the greatest piano recordings of all time.
Quote from: carlos on January 31, 2008, 01:10:21 PM
IMHO, Horowitz live recording in 1950 is not only the best
Pictures ever done, but one of the greatest piano recordings of all time.
I think I have that. I should give it another listen.
Pogorelich, Pletnev.
The classic performances have already been mentioned: Richter (Sofia live) is damn close to definitive IMO, but to be kind the sound is less than great. The Horowitz (Carnegie Hall live, NOT the studio version) is on the same level. At some point, you should hear both.
Beyond these, and presuming you'd actually prefer both excellent performance AND good sound, I would recommend Byron Janis on Mercury.
I'll also mention William Kapell. The one most people know is his live Frick recital, on RCA CD, and it's very much worth hearing. However, he was also recorded doing the piece on his last concert tour in Australia, just before his death (1953). I have this on private LP, but have never seen it available on CD. The sound is abysmal but the performance is both insightful and haunting.
Cheers,
Dirk
Quote from: bhodges on January 31, 2008, 07:50:46 AM
I have Kissin, which I like very much, but I haven't heard many others. I would think the Richter would be excellent.
--Bruce
I've noticed the Kissin version showing up in used CD venues with some frequency, but haven't sampled it. Does it have any particular strengths, weaknesses or attractions that enquiring minds should know? Anyone?
It's been awhile since I've heard it (since I much prefer the full orchestral version), so I should try to listen again before commenting. I recall being a bit surprised. (But maybe my expectations were low, since I'm generally not a huge Kissin fan.)
--Bruce
Janis and Pogorelich.
Quote from: dirkronk on February 01, 2008, 05:41:12 AM
The classic performances have already been mentioned: Richter (Sofia live) is damn close to definitive IMO, but to be kind the sound is less than great.
But he makes such odd interpretive choices that don't really jive with the text.
Quote from: O Mensch on February 01, 2008, 08:22:08 AM
But he makes such odd interpretive choices that don't really jive with the text.
OK, poor choice of words. My bad. I hereby retract my "definitive" comment and substitute "awe-inspiring." At least, it inspired awe in me the first time I heard it.
This is also probably a good time for a disclaimer update: I have no right to comment on the technical accuracy or literal interpretation of any music because, as I've mentioned before, I don't read music, I just listen to it. Admittedly, I listen to it a LOT and I've been doing that for, oh, 'bout 30 years or so...which is why I natter on about various versions of stuff I love and occasionally voice strong opinions. But nope, I'm lucky to be able to remember the difference between a bass clef and a treble clef. So whether I remember to add it to my posts or not, folks, the only thing I know is what I like. YMMV and probably will. And your opinion is INFINITELY more important to your musical enjoyment than mine ever will be.
;D
Dirk
The Douglas recording is excellent and while there may be better, it will not be by much. If I wanted an alternative I would choose from:
Ashkenazy
Richter - Sofia is best interpretation but not best sound. Get the "Philips 50" edition if you can find it
Kapell - Frick recital
I was impressed by Kissin's live performance on youtube.Worth checking out anyway.
I'm in kind of a rut in my collecting these days, and I have been buying more jazz than anything else. It's OK, I don't mind saving the money.
In any case, I've been listening to Richter's famous 1958 Sofia recital, and wondering what other good recordings of Pictures are out there. I suppose this one is the 500 lb gorilla of Pictures recordings, but I would like to hear what's been done in more recent recordings with better sound quality. Has Scherbakov recorded this? What about Sokolov? Any other offerings I should look into? thanks.
FWIW, there are better recorded Richter Pictures (much better, actually) which are just as worthwhile interpretively. Unfortunately they're OOP. One is on Praga (1956), the other on Music & Arts (1958).
That out of the way, you might try Pogorelich's Pictures on DG, only be prepared for slow tempos in places. Bydlo threatens to grind to a halt from an incredibly slow pace but ultimately finds its bearings by sheer force of Pogorelich's will. Good sound, too.
Mustonen (Decca) is another one I like - and is ten minutes swifter than Pogorelich! Sadly, it's OOP.
There are three I'd recommend after Richter
This is a classic performance recorded after his win in the Tchaikovsky Competition
(http://www.arkivmusic.com/graphics/covers/non-muze/full/146910.jpg)
..and this one takes a lot of beating but apparently his Aussie recital beats this hands down. he died on the plane trip home
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21ZPJRCAWJL._SL500_AA130_.jpg)
But this really made me sit up and listen. The pianist takes liberties but he gets away with it. I love it and 'Bydlo' is perfect if you've ever seen the Hartmann picture.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512YRBZ5BJL._SS400_.jpg)
Pogorelich and Janis.
Is anyone familiar with Moiseiwitsch live performance on Pearl? His earlier studio recording is nice but cut in few places (Old Castle and Great Gate of Kiev) in order to fit the 78 sides. I'm presuming live is uncut?
How is that two CD set in general if anyone has it, I'm thinking about getting it but it is rather expensive (like two fullpriced CDs) and couldn't find no reviews online at all.
My choices haven't changed since my post on the other thread that Que pointed to. Richter is essential IMO. But add:
Horowitz (Carnegie Hall live, NOT the studio version) is on a very high level. At some point, you should hear this.
Byron Janis on Mercury. Excellent performance AND good sound.
William Kapell. Live Frick recital (from the main RCA multi-CD set) or Australia concert tour (available on CD finally on Kapell Rediscovered)--do listen to one of these.
Haven't heard Kissin and am curious to do so. Ditto the Barry Douglas and Tiempo versions that Holden mentions. A choice that may be impossible to find on CD (don't think it was ever transferred) was the very young Lorin Hollander on RCA LP; I'm going on pure memory--and that's always iffy--but I do recall this as an interesting performance. I'll play my copy this week sometime and report if I still hold it in esteem.
Cheers,
Dirk
In addiition to Drasko's recommendations I would add as a third the live Moiseiwitsch recording on Pearl. It is a quite different, old school, and very passionate performance. That is a really good 2CD set.
edit: yeah Milos it's well worth hearing. From memory I think it's uncut.
edit2: there's an odd cut in the Largo of the Chopin third sonata however. He leaves out one of the repeats of the central section. It's too bad, because otherwise it's one of the best renditions of that movement I've heard.
edit3: I'd like to hear that set again too. Send me a copy please ;)
Quote from: dirkronk on November 11, 2008, 10:58:04 AM
Horowitz (Carnegie Hall live, NOT the studio version) is on a very high level. At some point, you should hear this.
Which one is this?
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41905DEXN6L._SS500_.jpg)
That's the live one, 1951 (and better that the studio one from 1947).
Quote from: DFO on November 11, 2008, 03:53:12 PM
That's the live one, 1951 (and better that the studio one from 1947).
Thanks, DFO.
Quote from: ezodisy on November 11, 2008, 11:43:31 AM
edit3: I'd like to hear that set again too. Send me a copy please ;)
Would you like me to send it to our mutual friend Desmond, that's if some cheapish copy pops up at amazon?
Quote from: Drasko on November 11, 2008, 04:55:58 PM
Would you like me to send it to our mutual friend Desmond, that's if some cheapish copy pops up at amazon?
Desmondinho the Great, yes please. I checked RMCR for reassurance that age has not yet fully disabled my memory and was happy to see that Samir and Jan Winter both highly recommend it, if you want second and third opinions. I wait.
Leif Ove Andsnes South African-born visual artist Robin Rhode, have created a special programme entitled Pictures Reframed which centres around Mussorgsky's epic piano cycle Pictures at an Exhibition combining music, video and still imagery.
http://www.yatzer.com/assets/Article/1926/images/robin-rhode-and-leif-ove-andsnes-presentation-at-yatzer_7.jpg http://www.whitewallmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/3905986085_5099a48125.jpg http://image.betamonline.com/sdimages/upc06/5099996700525.jpg
The art and DVD intrigue me here.
Has anyone got the set? Is it stimulating?
Quote from: Mandryka on December 06, 2010, 11:54:00 AM
Leif Ove Andsnes South African-born visual artist Robin Rhode, have created a special programme entitled Pictures Reframed which centres around Mussorgsky's epic piano cycle Pictures at an Exhibition combining music, video and still imagery.
http://www.yatzer.com/assets/Article/1926/images/robin-rhode-and-leif-ove-andsnes-presentation-at-yatzer_7.jpg http://www.whitewallmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/3905986085_5099a48125.jpg http://image.betamonline.com/sdimages/upc06/5099996700525.jpg
The art and DVD intrigue me here.
Has anyone got the set? Is it stimulating?
I have the standard CD edition. No art. No video. But what I consider a very good performance of the music by Andsnes, paired with an equally good Kinderszenen. Which leaves me quite satisfied not to have the DVD / book version, because (especially since I'm not a fan of modern non-representational art) I'm fairly certain I would be less pleased by the visual elements.
Listened to Natan Brand's recording of this work last night and was blown away by the intimate approach. I honestly didn't care for this work very much until I heard Brand's interpretation. It is now my favorite version of this work, it's even better than Richter. :o
I found this old thread while searching for Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" (for piano). Does anyone have any views on these modern recordings:
- Peter Donohoe (Signum, released 2019)
- Paul Lewis (Harmonia Mundi, released 2015)
- Steven Orborne (Hyperion, released 2013)
Byron Janis on Mercury is the one I have. I go to the Ravel orchestration more often, Kublik/CSO and Reiner/CSO, mostly.
Enjoying these recordings.
(https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music/f2/d4/5b/mzi.enlpufdm.jpg/632x632bb.webp)
(https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music124/v4/03/8b/74/038b7444-82c6-7347-c5fa-a994a50729e2/4600383163840.jpg/632x632bb.webp)
(https://cdn.naxos.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/VOX-7203.jpg)
(https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music124/v4/cf/1d/d1/cf1dd16c-1949-4d28-3f78-fe96378d3a8e/cover.jpg/632x632bb.webp)
Quote from: bluto32 on July 10, 2020, 01:17:49 PMI found this old thread while searching for Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" (for piano). Does anyone have any views on these modern recordings:
- Peter Donohoe (Signum, released 2019)
- Paul Lewis (Harmonia Mundi, released 2015)
- Steven Orborne (Hyperion, released 2013)
The Steven Osborne recording is excellent and won a Gramophone award
Quote from: Hobby on October 29, 2023, 06:54:01 AMThe Steven Osborne recording is excellent and won a Gramophone award
I noticed that the poster to whom you had replied to that their query was rather old; hopefully they'll still see it. Out of curiosity, I checked on youtube and there are a number of tracks from it (under Steven Osborne - Topic). Will have to give it a listen to later. The only recording that I have of it is with Richter (which I love though the sound is a bit harsh).
PD
It is now available for streaming. I have on Qobuz but also on cd.
Quote from: Hobby on October 29, 2023, 08:49:34 AMIt is now available for streaming. I have on Qobuz but also on cd.
Have you heard S. Richter's live recording of it (live - Sofia)? If so, how would you compare the two?
PD