Mussorgski: Bilder einer Ausstellung, Prokofjew: Flüchtige Erscheinungen

Steven Osborne has become one of the most valuable pianists recording today. His complete Rachmaninov Preludes release was critically acclaimed as the greatest modern version since Ashkenazy. Here he turns to further cornerstones of the Russian repertoire in this recording of Musorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition and a set of Prokofiev miniatures.

Musorgsky’s masterpiece is one of the most popular programmatic works of the 19th century. Yet it is also a great pianistic challenge, with the spectacular textures of the climactic movement ‘The Great Gate of Kiev’ requiring the highest technical accomplishments.

David Fanning writes of Prokofiev’s Visions fugitives: ‘Prokofiev supplies snapshots of his most characteristic moods—sometimes grotesque, sometimes incantatory and mystical, sometimes simply poetic, sometimes aggressively assertive, sometimes so delicately poised as to allow the performer and the listener to make up their own minds.’ Osborne’s subtle, yet brilliant use of colour and characterization makes him the ideal performer of this set.

Tracklisting:

Prokofiev:  Visions fugitives, Op. 22:

Side A

1.     I. Lentamente

2.     II. Andante

3.     III. Allegretto

4.     IV. Animato

5.     V. Molto giocoso

6.     VI. Con eleganza

7.     VII. Pittoresco

8.     VIII. Commodo

9.     IX. Allegretto tranquillo

10.  X. Ridicolosamente

11.  XI. Con vivacità

12.  XII. Assai moderato

13.  XIII. Allegretto

14.  XIV. Feroce

15.  XV. Inquieto

16.  XVI. Dolente

17.  XVII. Poetico

18.  XVIII. Con una dolce lentezza

19.  XIX. Presto agitatissimo e molto accentuato

20.  XX. Lento

Mussorgsky:  Pictures at an Exhibition:

21.  Promenade 1

22.  I. Gnomus

23.  Promenade 2

24.  II. Il castello vecchio "The Old Castle"

Side B

1.     Promenade 3

2.     III. Tuileries

3.     IV. Bydlo "The Oxcart"

4.     Promenade 4

5.     V. Ballet of the Chickens in Their Shells

6.     VI. Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuÿle

7.     Promenade 5

8.     VII. The Market at Limoges

9.     VIIIa. Catacombae "Sepulcrum romanum"

10.  VIIIb. Cum mortuis in lingua mortua

11.  IX. The Hut on Fowl's Legs "Baba-Yaga"

12.  X. The Great Gates of Kyiv