Transcript Mussorgsky*s Pictures at an Exhibition - France

Day at the Louvre
 Nationalism swept over
Europe in 1850’s.
 Nationalism is a pride in one’s
country. Establishing artistic,
musical, and literature
specific for the certain
country without another
country’s influences.
 Mussorgsky and four other
musicians were considered
“The Russian Five”
 They composed and centered
around music specifically for
Russia.
 Artist and architect Victor
Hartmann, one of
Mussorgsky’s close friends
was also a nationalist.
 At 39 Hartmann died
stunning the entire Russian
artistic community.
 A memorial exhibit of
Hartmann’s work was
organized and displayed in
1874.
 Under the inspiration of that
showing, Mussorgsky
conceived of his Pictures at an
Exhibition.
 Originally written for
piano, later arranged for
full orchestra by Ravel.
 Feature 10 movements with
a promenade between
them.
 The entire work is a
musical example of
Mussorgsky’s thoughts and
feelings about going to his
friend’s memorial
exhibition and looking at
his different pictures.
 On your visit to an art exhibition, or museum, you
might want to casually stroll, looking at all the lovely
artwork.
 You will “Promenade” until something really
interesting catches your eye, then you may walk faster
or with a purpose of seeing it closer.
 That is when you study the piece of artwork, until you
understand it’s story.
 Then you will again “Promenade” until you reach
another piece of artwork.
 Mussorgsky originally
called this movement
one rich, the other poor.
 It was inspired by a pair
of pictures that
Hartmann presented to
the composer showing
two residents of the
Warsaw ghetto.
 One rich and pompous,
the other poor and
complaining.
Form
 When does the music
change?
 Are there different
sections to the music?
 Do the different sections
repeat?
 How can you label the
different sections in the
order you hear them?
 Hint…they’re not
numbers
Dynamics
 Does the music get louder
and softer in some areas
than in others?
 What sections get louder
and softer?
Instrumentation
 What kind of instruments
do you hear?
 How does the composer
use the instruments to tell
the story?
Form –Does the Music
Change?
 Are there different sections in
the music?
Yes, one is low and slow, the other is
high and fast, and the last has both
sections together
 Do the sections repeat?
Yes, they repeat when they play
together
Dynamics
 Does the music get louder and
softer in some areas than in
others?
Yes the music is louder and softer in
the different sections
Instrumentation
 What type of instruments do
you hear?
Brass, Strings, and Woodwinds
 How does the composer use the
instruments to tell the story?
The first section has low brass and
strings in a minor key. It is slow and
loud. It reminds me of a larger man.
The second section is high and fast in
rhythm. It is still in minor. The
trumpet is high and can sound whiney.
Both themes play together and fit
nicely. It is as if the two character are
interacting. Then the music slows and
ends. They leave.
Listening Map
 A
Writing Promt…
How does the composer use the
instruments to tell the story?
Section A-Low instruments play slow in a
minor key. Sound large, reminds me of a big
man.
 B
Section B-Trumpets play fast and high.
Complete opposite of section A. Can be
reminded of whining.
 A&B (C?)
Section A/B (C?)-Both sections are playing
at the same time, both are in minor keys. If
you were in Warsaw you would see both of
these people In the same place. Maybe they’re
having a conversation.
 Coda
Coda-Slow ending, as if they are walking
away from eachother.
 Inspired by Hartmann's plan
for a gateway for the city of
Kiev in the massive old
Russian style crowned with a
cupola in the shape of a
Slavic warrior's helmet.
 The majestic music suggests
both the imposing bulk of
the edifice (never built,
incidentally) and a brilliant
procession passing through
its arches.
 The work ends with a heroic
statement of the Promenade
theme and a jubilant pealing
of the great bells of the city.
 Both are arches are
walked through as a
procession for triumph.
 Both arches have massive
and majestic
architecture.
Can the music for the Gate
of Kiev also be used to
represent the Arc de
Triomphe?
In your Passport…
Listening Map
 Listen to the music and
identify the different
sections.
 Label the different sections
using… letters.
*After the writing prompt
 Draw what you see/picture
in the different sections.
Writing Prompt
How does the composer use
instruments to tell the
story?
 What instruments
 Melody, texture, dynamics
 Describe what you picture
in the different sections.
What’s the story?