Pictures
In Pictures, Ian Holtham leads the listener through Romantic piano masterpieces: Mussorgsky’s gallery cycle Pictures at an Exhibition, Schumann’s masked-ball Carnaval, and Tchaikovsky’s rustic Doumka.
Pictures is a showcase of piano works from the Romantic period, built around two of the best-known instrumental examples of pictorialism in the repertoire: Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Schumann’s Carnaval.
Pictures at an Exhibition, a magnificent cycle of ten pieces with connecting promenades, was inspired by an exhibition held a year after the death of Mussorgsky’s close friend, the artist Victor Hartmann. The work shows Mussorgsky’s gift for representing emotions and personalities. Through imitation and musical gesture he leads the listener step by step through an enchanting musical exhibition.
Carnaval, a work of absolute mastery and one of the most beloved in the piano repertoire, was composed by a love-smitten Schumann in 1834. Estrella came from the town of Asch, and Schumann used those letters—matching the German musical alphabet and the letters in his own name—to form a musical code that shapes virtually the entire thematic content. Set as part carnival, part masked-ball, Carnaval mirrors Schumann’s life and influences in many esoteric and wonderful ways.
Tchaikovsky’s Doumka, unfailingly Russian in character and full of tremendous contrasts and fluctuations, makes a stunning addition to the collection.
Take a musical wander through Pictures!
Reviews
some truly lovely playing
Artists
Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Mussorgsky (1839–1881) was a Russian composer of the Romantic period, celebrated for a boldly national voice that stood apart from Western convention. His music turns repeatedly to Russian history, folklore and the vivid colour of everyday speech.
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann (1810–1856) was a German composer and music critic of the early Romantic era. His piano works and songs remain among the most enduring of the period.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) was a Russian composer of the Romantic era. His ballets, concertos and orchestral works remain among the most widely performed music in the classical repertoire.
Ian Holtham
Professor Ian Holtham is one of Australia’s most distinguished and highly regarded pianists and pedagogues. His performances of the great Classical and Romantic repertoire have drawn packed houses and strong critical acclaim for many years.
Audio preview
Tracks
- Doumka Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 8:23
- Préambule 1:58
- Pierrot 2:06
- Arlequin 1:02
- Valse noble 1:31
- Eusebius 1:32
- Florestan :52
- Coquette 1:14
- Réplique/Sphinxes 1:15
- Papillons :42
- A.S.C.H – S.C.H.A lettres dansantes :47
- Chiarina :59
- Chopin :58
- Estrella :25
- Reconnaissance 1:34
- Pantalon et Columbine :53
- Valse allemande/Intermezzo: Paganini 2:07
- Aveu :49
- Promenade 2:15
- Pause :17
- Marche des Davidsbündler contre les Philistins 3:22
- Promenade 1:33
- The Gnome 2:12
- Promenade :52
- The Old Castle 3:47
- Promenade :27
- The Tuileries :57
- The Ox-Cart (Byldo) 3:11
- Promenade :47
- Ballet of the Chicks in their Shells 1:03
- Samuel Goldenburg and Schmuyle 2:08
- Promenade 1:23
- The Market Place in Limoges 1:28
- The Catacombs: con mortuis in lingua mortua 3:41
- The Hut on Fowl’s Legs 3:11
- The Great Gate of Kiev 4:42
Carnaval Robert Schumann
Pictures at an Exhibition Modest Mussorgsky
Performers
Contributors
Program notes
Alan Davison
Front cover painting
Brigitta Stoddart
Where to listen
Pictures is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Pictures is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3193
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 66 minutes 23 seconds
- Recording Engineer
- Martin Wright
Vaughan McAlley - Venue
- Move Records Studio
- Thanks to
- John McKinlay
Stephen Duns
UK Music Consortium - Credit
- Alan Davison
Brigitta Stoddart - Release date
- 1996
- Musical work
copyright - © 1996 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1996 Move Records
- Categories
- Classical, Keyboard
- Genre
- Romantic & Impressionist
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574319323
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