Specific recording wanted: Pictures at an Exhibition

[damonrpayne]

I am looking for a specific highest-quality recording of this, can anyone suggest one?

[LarryC]

Being a golden oldies fan, I think you probably can't beat the CD reissues on RCA by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago SO. Be sure to read the comments on Amazon.com! Cheap, too! Oh yes, this was a 1957 recording, apparently with a little pre-Dolby hiss.

http://www.amazon.com/Mussorgsky-Pictures-at-an-Exhibition/dp/B000003FMY/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1217296712&sr=8-1.

This is the Living Stereo SACD version, and the engineers and artistic folks really went overboard on these, so you might consider this instead: http://www.amazon.com/Mussorgsky-Pictures-Exhibition-Mountain-Showpieces/dp/B0002TKFRM/ref=pd_bbs_9?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1217297053&sr=8-9.

I think my only recording is a Toscanini LP, mono of course. Toscanini set the standards for precise, well-judged interpretations, but was a little brittle by the time LPs came along.

There is also a DVD on Amazon, where you could WATCH the orchestra play (unless they patch in dippy scenic videos, which happens sometimes). That's now my favorite way of listening and demo'ing classical. I never heard of those performers, so it probably should be avoided.

Parrot was excellent in responding to this kind of question, a loss to the forum IMO. No reason why you can't e-mail him.

[WMcD]

Larry, of course, can tell us more.

But look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pictures_at_an_Exhibition The article is worth reading because it descibes the may versions, independent of recording, etc.

The original work was for piano. The piano version does not touch my soul.

The version we most often hear is the adaptation for orchestra by Ravel. Immmprssive. In somewht modern times, Emerson Lake and Palmer and Tomita have covers.

I agree with Larry about the CSO and Reiner.

But for digital recordings in these years, I'm a fan of Telarc. Consider http://www.telarc.com/gscripts/title.asp?gsku=0042&mscssid=ATHWBLG810QH8NVAG0TEBTKJEWWX5DT8

You can't go wrong.

Wm McD

[oldenough]

I prefer the original version by Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, though I'm sure the other recommendations are pretty good...[]

[TheEvan]

"Original"?? LOL!

Another, slightly less weird & bombastic version, is Kazuhito Yamashita's amazing arrangement for guitar. For "big" sonics, the old Telarc issue is fun and the interpretation is at least livable.

[garymd]

Damon,

I know you aren't a vinyl guy but this is the best classical recording I've ever owned. I'm not an expert so I couldn't tell you if the performance is as good as the sound but it's one I listen to often. I'm also guessing it might be available on CD.

Edit: Sorry about the picture. It was the only one I could find.

[damonrpayne]

There's an SACD option on the Telerec page, I may give that one a try, thanks. If anyone can speak to the quality of the DVD though, that would be the preferred route.

[LarryC]

FWIW, the second one I mentioned above, that I should have put first, is also an SACD (hybrid) -- http://www.amazon.com/Mussorgsky-Pictures-Exhibition-Mountain-Showpieces/dp/B0002TKFRM/ref=pd_bbs_9?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1217297053&sr=8-9. The reviews, down toward the bottom of the webpage, are ecstatic.

[damonrpayne]

Holy crap! Look what I found while looking for junk in this thread (http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/t/107390.aspx)

http://www.amazon.com/MUSSORGSKY-Exhibition-Stokowski-Transcriptions-Experience/dp/B001BHTVVK/ref=sr_1_52?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1217341009&sr=1-52

DTS lossless!

[damonrpayne]

FWIW, the second one I mentioned above, that I should have put first, is also an SACD (hybrid) -- http://www.amazon.com/Mussorgsky-Pictures-Exhibition-Mountain-Showpieces/dp/B0002TKFRM/ref=pd_bbs_9?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1217297053&sr=8-9. The reviews, down toward the bottom of the webpage, are ecstatic.

The Blu-Ray is out of stock, getting this one!

[fini]

Damon,

I know you aren't a vinyl guy but this is the best classical recording I've ever owned. I'm not an expert so I couldn't tell you if the performance is as good as the sound but it's one I listen to often. I'm also guessing it might be available on CD.

Edit: Sorry about the picture. It was the only one I could find.

Gary, good to hear the recommendation. I just picked one up last week (VG+) for $1.85. I guess I should give it a spin...

[LarryC]

The Blu-Ray is out of stock, getting this one!

Just as well, IMHO:

Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrations other than Ravel's
Composed by Modest Mussorgsky
Performed by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Jose Serebrier

Stowski was good, but not that good! His orchestrations tend to be dated -- very heavy and lush. Won't beat Reiner in the performance or sound department.

[TheEvan]

Quite right. You want the Ravel orchestration. It is what you think of when you think of this piece. If you heard the Stokowski you'd be thinking 'hey that sounds a bit like Picture...I wonder what it is?'

Then again, Mussorgsky's original work, as written for piano, is wonderful as is.

Strangely, I've heard a reduction of the Ravel orchestration for two pianos. [8-)]