Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition: Tuileries through Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyel.mov

A portion of a recent performance by Robert Silverman of Mussorgsky's iconic piano masterpiece. Tuileries (misspelt by M.) represents children quarreling at play, with the middle section representing either the crying of one child or the coaxing from the nanny, with the other kids laughing. The painting is lost, and Hartmann's photograph is provided in its place. There was never a Bydlo in the exhibition. A letter from Mussorgsky to the exhibition curator suggests that he was trying to get another painting under the censor's radar; this drawing of the Russians cruelly putting down a Polish rebellion could be the work he had in mind. Or perhaps not. Certainly M was affected by this painting judging from the Promenade that follows. SG&S is the most anti-Semitic work in the repertoire, including anything by Wagner. Curious, then, that there is a Mogen David on Mussorgsky's tombstone, and that he personally owned both those artworks. (Combining the two into one composition was Mussorgsky's idea). Imagine Goebbels personally collecting pictures of Jews....

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Silverman
• piano
• Mussorgsky
• Pictures at an Exhibition