2. music
  3. 186868-1635

Pictures at an Exhibition

For someone who studied music in college, I somehow managed to miss Moussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition until now. I admit I’m not a fan of large-scale orchestral works, so I avoided it not knowing that it was originally written for solo piano. I picked up both CD and vinyl copies of the solo piano version and I think it is fabulous. A wonderful mix of simplicity and virtuosity and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’m definitely tempted to pick up another version.

Plese let me know if you are aware of any outstanding performances of this piece. Thanks 

chayro
realgoodsound
52 posts
 

Do yourself a favor and avoid the DGG piano version with Lazar Berman. Berman is great but the sound is flat, lifeless, sub-par. Very sterile room so no "space" 

niodari's avatar
niodari
300 posts
 

There is an orchestral soviet Melodia version that I like.

And I love ELP album with the same name, I think it is a really good interpretation and a piece of work despite that it was recorded live.

johor7
11 posts
 

Two favorite transcriptions for you all to check out:

Kazuhito Yamashita (classical guitar) astounding!

Calvin Hampton (organ)

1tomvoj
4 posts
 

I have enjoyed listening to Boyk, Pictures at an Exhibition on Performance Recordings PR-7.  Its available in vinyl or CD.  The release issued in 1990 and was mastered by Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab.  It is advertised as all analog and that it uses all tube electronics before the recorders.  I see it available used on Discogs and it is mostly inexpensive.  James Boyk was in the music department at Cal Tech. 

coppy777
141 posts
 

I’ve always enjoyed Eiji Oue and the Minnesota Orchestra on Reference Recordings.

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