1. Pictures at an Exhibition 9 original pieces of artwork by Victor Hartmann 9 original pieces of artwork by Victor Hartmann Mussorgsky, shocked by Hartmann’s death, wrote piano piece as tribute Mussorgsky, shocked by Hartmann’s death, wrote piano piece as tribute Ravel commissioned by Sergey Koussevitzky to orchestrate Mussorgsky’s piece Ravel commissioned by Sergey Koussevitzky to orchestrate Mussorgsky’s piece Modest Mussorgsky Maurice Ravel

2. Overall Transformations From pictures to piano arrangement Hartmann’s ideas are transformed from static to real-time presentation From pictures to piano arrangement Hartmann’s ideas are transformed from static to real-time presentation From piano to orchestra arrangement Hartmann’s ideas are more specifically presented through diverse instrument timbres From piano to orchestra arrangement Hartmann’s ideas are more specifically presented through diverse instrument timbres With every transformation, the ideas behind Hartmann’s original artwork are reinterpreted with added dimensions With every transformation, the ideas behind Hartmann’s original artwork are reinterpreted with added dimensions

3. Hartmann’s sketches: Ballet of the Unborn Chicks Originally commissioned as costume design sketches for 1871 production of the ballet Trillby Originally commissioned as costume design sketches for 1871 production of the ballet Trillby Eggshell costumes represent chicks in shells prior to hatching Eggshell costumes represent chicks in shells prior to hatching

4. Mussorgsky’s “Ballet of the Unborn Chicks” “Scherzino – vivo, leggiero”: jokingly, lightheartedly, alive “Scherzino – vivo, leggiero”: jokingly, lightheartedly, alive Grace notes imply movement, unborn chicks pecking at shell Grace notes imply movement, unborn chicks pecking at shell Trills (right) & quick pulse (left) – unsteadiness, wavering of limbs inside shells Trills (right) & quick pulse (left) – unsteadiness, wavering of limbs inside shells High F grace-note consistently used – chicks cheeping High F grace-note consistently used – chicks cheeping

5. Ravel’s “Ballet of the Unborn Chicks” Woodwinds used to vocalize chicks Woodwinds used to vocalize chicks Bassoon bass to indicate clumsiness of the unborn chicks in shells Bassoon bass to indicate clumsiness of the unborn chicks in shells Trills given to strings for fluttery sound Trills given to strings for fluttery sound Use of glockenspiel, cymbal splashes and triangle for ringy, whimsical effect Use of glockenspiel, cymbal splashes and triangle for ringy, whimsical effect Piccolo cheeping sound (high F) Piccolo cheeping sound (high F)

6. Hartmann’s Pictures of Two Jews Poor Jew Poor Jew Hopeless Hopeless Rich Jew Rich Jew Confident Confident Hartmann visited Jewish ghetto in Sandomir, Poland in 1868 Hartmann visited Jewish ghetto in Sandomir, Poland in 1868

7. Mussorgsky’s “Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuÿle” 2 pictures  1 piece examining relationship 2 pictures  1 piece examining relationship Rich Jew speaks first Rich Jew speaks first Low  deep, powerful voice Low  deep, powerful voice Two hands in unison  assertive Two hands in unison  assertive Slow tempo, pauses for breath  composed Slow tempo, pauses for breath  composed Poor Jew Poor Jew High, with quick repeated notes  weak, high- pitched whining High, with quick repeated notes  weak, high- pitched whining Triplet tremolo  teeth chattering, body shaking Triplet tremolo  teeth chattering, body shaking

8. Mussorgsky's “Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle” Rich Jew starts talking before poor Jew finishes Rich Jew starts talking before poor Jew finishes Gets more attention Gets more attention Keeps going after poor Jew stops Keeps going after poor Jew stops Ends with both Jews in unison Ends with both Jews in unison Rich Jew sends poor Jew off with nothing Rich Jew sends poor Jew off with nothing

9. Ravel’s “Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle” Brings out contrast between rich and poor Jew Brings out contrast between rich and poor Jew Rich Jew Rich Jew Strings (and woodwinds) playing tutti Strings (and woodwinds) playing tutti Poor Jew Poor Jew 1 muted piccolo trumpet over accompaniment 1 muted piccolo trumpet over accompaniment Ends with two voices in unison, but different timbres Ends with two voices in unison, but different timbres

10. Hartmann’s Hut on Chicken Legs Pencil sketch design for a clock 14th century Russian style Pencil sketch design for a clock 14th century Russian style The clock sits on two hen ’ s feet. It is the House of Baba Yaga (a fairy-tale motif) The clock sits on two hen ’ s feet. It is the House of Baba Yaga (a fairy-tale motif) Very ornate with rope-like and textile ornamentation and patterns Very ornate with rope-like and textile ornamentation and patterns

11. The Story of Baba Yaga Baba Yaga is a witch who lives in a house on chicken feet Baba Yaga is a witch who lives in a house on chicken feet She kills and eats little children; crushing their bones in her giant mortar in which she flies around She kills and eats little children; crushing their bones in her giant mortar in which she flies around Both Hartmann and Mussorgsky have an interest in old Russian culture Both Hartmann and Mussorgsky have an interest in old Russian culture

12. Mussorgsky's House on Chicken Legs Music is not very representative of the clock design, other than quarter note = 120, making each measure last exactly one second…like a clock Music is not very representative of the clock design, other than quarter note = 120, making each measure last exactly one second…like a clock Music is Mussorgsky's representation of the story of Baba Yaga…her flying in a mortar chasing after little children Music is Mussorgsky's representation of the story of Baba Yaga…her flying in a mortar chasing after little children

13. Mussorgsky continued Starts with low rumble in the left hand Starts with low rumble in the left hand Pounding,with a repetitive descending line….like she is circling her prey Pounding,with a repetitive descending line….like she is circling her prey Trills and descending chromatic scale…create tension Trills and descending chromatic scale…create tension The tone is angry and frantic, created by a flurry of notes The tone is angry and frantic, created by a flurry of notes

14. Ravel’s Hut on Chicken Legs Pretty loyal to Mussorgsky's version, but with more depth and texture…he has different voices to work with Pretty loyal to Mussorgsky's version, but with more depth and texture…he has different voices to work with blaring harsh brass, loud percussion, high flutes add contrast blaring harsh brass, loud percussion, high flutes add contrast

15. Hartmann’s The Great Gate of Kiev Design competition for gate Design competition for gate Commemorate Tsar Alexander II’s escaped assassination Commemorate Tsar Alexander II’s escaped assassination Competition ultimately called off Competition ultimately called off Hartmann’s design Hartmann’s design Archway on granite pillars Archway on granite pillars Russian state eagle at peak Russian state eagle at peak “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord”

16. Mussorgsky's “The Great Gate of Kiev” Exposition Exposition Powerful opening processional tune Powerful opening processional tune Repeated several times, emphasis on majesty Repeated several times, emphasis on majesty Religious undertones Religious undertones Intertwining of Russian Orthodox Church choir music Intertwining of Russian Orthodox Church choir music “As you are baptized in Christ” “As you are baptized in Christ”

17. Mussorgsky's “The Great Gate of Kiev” Recapitulation and close Recapitulation and close Introduction of super triplets then regular triplets into piece Introduction of super triplets then regular triplets into piece Return of open theme superimposed on top of developed religious theme Return of open theme superimposed on top of developed religious theme End with the opening of Gates of Kiev End with the opening of Gates of Kiev

18. Ravel’s “The Great Gate of Kiev” Use of tutti brass in opening to encapsulate grandeur Use of tutti brass in opening to encapsulate grandeur Contrasted by soft woodwind choir interludes Contrasted by soft woodwind choir interludes Orchestral ornamentation Orchestral ornamentation Ending written in 3/2, original in 2/2 Ending written in 3/2, original in 2/2 Straight triplets only Straight triplets only Doubling of half notes in end Doubling of half notes in end Representation of church bells Representation of church bells Pulsating, dissonant mass of sound Pulsating, dissonant mass of sound Restatement on end note for finality Restatement on end note for finality

19. In Conclusion… There are multiple transformations taking place. The Hartmann pictures – Mussorgsky piano piece – Ravel orchestration There are multiple transformations taking place. The Hartmann pictures – Mussorgsky piano piece – Ravel orchestration Every time a piece of art is transformed, a new dimension is added. Every time a piece of art is transformed, a new dimension is added.

20. Transformations From Pictures to Music-- an element of time From Pictures to Music-- an element of time From Piano to Orchestra -- an element of texture and color From Piano to Orchestra -- an element of texture and color Transformations tend to adapt the original work to the conventions of the time…thus transformations help ensure the survival of the original work Transformations tend to adapt the original work to the conventions of the time…thus transformations help ensure the survival of the original work

21. Works Referenced 1. Brown, David. Mussorgsky: His Life and Works. 2002: 1. Brown, David. Mussorgsky: His Life and Works. 2002: University Press, Oxford. University Press, Oxford. 2. Calvocoresi, M.D. Modest Mussorgsky. 1956: Salisbury Square, London. 2. Calvocoresi, M.D. Modest Mussorgsky. 1956: Salisbury Square, London. 3. Eagen, Tim. Images for Pictures at an Exhibition: 3. Eagen, Tim. Images for Pictures at an Exhibition: http://www.stmoroky.com/reviews/gallery/pictures/hartmann.htm. Jan. 2000. http://www.stmoroky.com/reviews/gallery/pictures/hartmann.htm. Jan. 2000. http://www.stmoroky.com/reviews/gallery/pictures/hartmann.htm 4. Mussorgsky, Modest. Pictures at an Exhibition [piano score]. 1983: Breitkopf & Hartell Wiesbaden. 4. Mussorgsky, Modest. Pictures at an Exhibition [piano score]. 1983: Breitkopf & Hartell Wiesbaden. 5. Mussorgsky, Modest. Pictures at an Exhibition [sound recording]. 1997: Longworth, Peter. 5. Mussorgsky, Modest. Pictures at an Exhibition [sound recording]. 1997: Longworth, Peter. 6. Ravel, Maurice. Pictures at an Exhibition [musical score]. 1929: Boosey & Hawkes, London. 6. Ravel, Maurice. Pictures at an Exhibition [musical score]. 1929: Boosey & Hawkes, London. 7. Ravel, Maurice. Pictures at an Exhibition [sound recording]. 1993: New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein. 7. Ravel, Maurice. Pictures at an Exhibition [sound recording]. 1993: New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein. 8. Russ, Michael. Musorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition. 1992: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 8. Russ, Michael. Musorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition. 1992: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.