Album Notes

The program of this album contains compositions which were not originally written for orchestra. M. Ravel and D. Shostakovich devoted their efforts to orchestrate the pieces.
Mussorsgky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" was inspired by a visit in early 1874 to a posthemus art exhibit of canvases by the talented artist and architect Victor Hartman who had been a close friend of the composer's. The artist's works were boldly and originally converted into music for piano by Mussorgsky who enlarged and enriched their content.
The work was completed in 1874 and dedicated to V. Stasov. The brilliant orchestration of "Pictures at an Exhibition" was made by M. Ravel in 1922.
Vocal cycles "Sunless" and "Songs and Dances of Death" on words by A. Golenishchev-Kutuzov were written by Mussorgsky in the middle of the 1870s. "Songs and Dances of Death" is the way the composer addresses eternal human problems.
The orchestration was done by D. Shostakovich in 1962.
The composer worked over "Khovanshchina" from 1872; the opera was not completed. "Golitsyn Train" is a picturesque symphonic episode from Act IV where the disgraced Prince Golitsyn is sent to exile.
The score of "Solemn March" (Capture of Kars) was completed on February 3, 1880 and soon performed at the Russian Musical Society.