- Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra
- Conductor: Vladimir Ashkenazy
- Composer: Modest Mussorgsky
- Audio CD (24 Feb 1999)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Decca
- ASIN: B0000041Q6
- Other Editions: MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 163,567 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
(Original Piano Version & Orchestral Version: Vladimir Ashkenazy)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a powerful rendition of "Picures". I would largely concur with the previous reviewer regarding the quality of the recording. Played on a good stereo this is an astoundingly clear recording.
Ashkenazy certainly attacks the powerful themes running through this music but also injects life into the quieter sequences.
If you like the piece then this version is well worth having in your collection.
Ashkenazy certainly attacks the powerful themes running through this music but also injects life into the quieter sequences.
If you like the piece then this version is well worth having in your collection.
Format:Audio CD
This is Ashkenazy's own orchestration of Mussorgsky in which he has gone back to the original piano scores while also keeping the famous orchestration by Ravel firmly in focus. Conductor and orchestra are on top form and the result is astonishingly vigorous, fresh, lively, and full of colour. Recording quality is absolutely impeccable. Impossible to over-recommend this.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
11 reviews
67 of 68 people found the following review helpful
A Capture of the Soul of Moussorgsky
10 Nov 2003
Format:Audio CD
After hearing a great many interpretations of this work, as well as performing it myself, I found a 1976 recording on vinyl by Ashkenazy. It was stunning to say the least. However, it seems like greatness often builds on greatness; and this artist is a prime example of that adage. Upon first hearing Ashkenazy's piano interpretation, I brought out my piano score, and listened to a recording by Horowitz, as well as a newly released rendition by Byron Janis. I have read many a review as to Ashkenazy's attempts to stay as close to the score as possible. In this recording, he does almost precisely that. In my Horowitz and Janis recordings, the Promenade between "Goldenberg and Schmuyle" and "The Market Place at Limoges" is just not there. Horowitz also takes liberties where I don't think he should (an upper triplet root/7th/root insertion at the end of "The Great Gate of Kiev", for example.)
Ashkenazy's performance is, to use a term not exactly precise,
brilliant. Although his rendition of "Bydlo" is taken initially at at least a ff (fortissimo), the Hartman portrait is of a Polish ox cart with massive wheels--the ff rendition portrays the clumsy, massive cart in a way as if one can picture it in the mind's eye! Ashkenazy's control of the keyboard in all the movements is stellar--his rendition of "The Hut of Baba Yaga", in my opinion, cannot be surpassed. His technique of performing parallel octaves (which run rampant through the composition) is, in my opinion, perfection incarnate. One measure a piano jury uses in critiquing a performance is if the piano "sings"--and Ashkenazy certainly makes the piano sing from soprano to basso buffo, to correlate with the human voice.
Although his orchestral arrangement (brilliantly performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra) is different than Ravel's, it is lovely and demands a listen. This is a "must have" CD!
Ashkenazy's performance is, to use a term not exactly precise,
brilliant. Although his rendition of "Bydlo" is taken initially at at least a ff (fortissimo), the Hartman portrait is of a Polish ox cart with massive wheels--the ff rendition portrays the clumsy, massive cart in a way as if one can picture it in the mind's eye! Ashkenazy's control of the keyboard in all the movements is stellar--his rendition of "The Hut of Baba Yaga", in my opinion, cannot be surpassed. His technique of performing parallel octaves (which run rampant through the composition) is, in my opinion, perfection incarnate. One measure a piano jury uses in critiquing a performance is if the piano "sings"--and Ashkenazy certainly makes the piano sing from soprano to basso buffo, to correlate with the human voice.
Although his orchestral arrangement (brilliantly performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra) is different than Ravel's, it is lovely and demands a listen. This is a "must have" CD!
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
A Phenomenal Recording
1 Jan 2001
Format:Audio CD
I had the good fortune to pick this CD (almost) at random at a Borders store. I was looking for a recording of the original piano version - thank God I found this one. Ashkenazy's performance is fiery and emotional, with genius bordering on insanity. Be warned, this is not a sedate recording. His musical brilliance breathes incredible life into Mussorgsky's notes in both the piano and orchestral version.
Without doubt, Ashkenazy makes some unexpected and controversial decisions. For example, he takes "The Old Castle" at almost twice the speed of most other recordings. If you can forget for a moment what you've heard before and really LISTEN to the music as he plays it, you'll see that this interpretation is beautiful and sonorous - in my opinion, easily on par with the traditional slower interpretation. Ashkenazy also begins "Bydlo" at a crushing forte rather than the traditional piano. Again, if you can listen with an open mind, you'll see that his interpretation works. In my opinion, his best performance on this CD is the piano version of "Baba Yaga". Ashkenazy absolutely ATTACKS the piano, and yet maintains technical perfection and an impeccable musical feel all the while. His "Great Gate" I'm somewhat less fond of - in contrast to the Ravel's brass, his is a softer, string-based melody. Despite this, the technical playing and musical acumen is always superb. Even though I'm not as fond of the last movement, Ashkenazy's orchestration seems to convey much more color and passion that Ravel's. Both are masterful orchestrations, but Ashkenazy's is bolder and, to some, downright weird. The opening Promenade is somewhat lighter, the solo in Samuel Goldenberg is given to a violin instead of a trumpet player. As a trumpet player myself, I was not overly fond of this, but musically, it works. Ashkenazy's orchestration is a novel approach and a definite jolt, and I urge anyone who enjoys this suite or Russian music in general to buy this recording.
For Ravel's orchestration, I reccomend the Chicago Symphony under Fritz Reiner. Again, that is a very fiery recording. Undoubtedly, some will feel that "The Great Gate" especially is TOO bold and brassy - for you, I suggest the Berlin Phil's recording with von Karajan.
As to this CD, however, Ashkenazy's performance throughout is stunningly brilliant. This is "Pictures at an Exhibition" played with gall and fire and brilliance and life that I have never heard equalled through the entire suite. Buy it.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Taking Risks and Owning Them: A Terrific Alternative Approach
14 Oct 2006
Format:Audio CD
Vladimir Ashkenazy is a brilliant pianist and a fine conductor: quid pro quo. It is refreshing to know that he is also a fiery challenger to old conventions. While nearly every concert-goer has been swept away by the gorgeous Ravel orchestra of Modest Mussorgsky's masterwork, PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION (the latest experience for this listener was the wondrous full-bodied and magnificent performance by Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the LA Philharmonic is Disney Hall - an aural experience of a lifetime!), too few are familiar with first, the piano version of the work and second, Mussorgsky's original orchestration. Ashkenazy corrects that and adds to it his own interpretative language and the result is fascinating.
Ashkenazy first performs the piano version and brings spirit, fire, moodiness, and dark thoughts and yes, even humor to this difficult score. His playing is first rate and he opens windows to the score that others ignore. But then he immediately follows his piano performance by conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra in his own 're-do' of the Mussorgsky orchestration. While some may not find the original to be as atmospheric or dazzling as Ravel's more frequently performed version, Ashkenazy goes all out in making sure the original thoughts of the composer are not forgotten. It is a fine feat, a well-played version and one that collectors who enjoy exploring the history of a work should own. Grady Harp, October 06
Ashkenazy first performs the piano version and brings spirit, fire, moodiness, and dark thoughts and yes, even humor to this difficult score. His playing is first rate and he opens windows to the score that others ignore. But then he immediately follows his piano performance by conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra in his own 're-do' of the Mussorgsky orchestration. While some may not find the original to be as atmospheric or dazzling as Ravel's more frequently performed version, Ashkenazy goes all out in making sure the original thoughts of the composer are not forgotten. It is a fine feat, a well-played version and one that collectors who enjoy exploring the history of a work should own. Grady Harp, October 06
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