Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition / Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales [Import]

Modest Mussorgsky (Composer), Maurice Ravel (Composer), Ivo Pogorelich (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Ivo Pogorelich
• Composer: Modest Mussorgsky, Maurice Ravel
• Audio CD (February 25, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Dg Imports
• ASIN: B0000041JU
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #195,833 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade

2. Pictures At An Exhibition: 1. Gnomus

3. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade

4. Pictures At An Exhibition: II. The Old Castle

5. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade

6. Pictures At An Exhibition: III. Les Tuileries

7. Pictures At An Exhibition: IV. Bydlo

8. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade

9. Pictures At An Exhibition: V. Ballet Of The Unhatched Chicks

10. Pictures At An Exhibition: VI. Samuel Goldberg und Schmuyle

11. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade

12. Pictures At An Exhibition: VII. The Limoges Market

13. Pictures At An Exhibition: VIII. Catacombae: Sepulcrum romanum

14. Pictures At An Exhibition: Con mortuis in lingua mortua

15. Pictures At An Exhibition: IX. The Hut On Chicken's Legs

16. Pictures At An Exhibition: X. The Great (Bogatyrs') Gate Of Kiev

17. Valses nobles et sentimentales: I. Modere - tres franc

18. Valses nobles et sentimentales: II. Assez lent, avec une expression intense

19. Valses nobles et sentimentales: III. Modere

20. Valses nobles et sentimentales: IV. Assez anime

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ambient yet accessible., October 13, 2000

By 

Andrew M. Schirmer "violist/student" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition / Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales (Audio CD)

I'll go ahead and agree with Amazon that the Mussorgsky is a bit slow. "Ill Vecchio Castilo" and the catacomb movement in particular just drag on and on. However...

The Ravel is an absolute delight. Never has "Valses" been so "Sentimental." Every phrase is given the utmost care, and the true beauty of the music is brought out. While Porgelich's interpretation of these simple pieces sometimes borders on ambient, he somehow manages to drag the melody out of it...just when you think you're lost...

Anyone who would like to hear a fresh interpretation should pick this up.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful rendition of a favourite work, November 22, 1999

By 

D. Hendrickson (Dorset) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition / Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales (Audio CD)

I should start by saying that I first heard of Pogorelich only four years ago when 3 pianists were staying with us as guests for the annual Verbier music festival. One evening, I asked "who is the best pianist in the world today?", expecting an interesting discussion with a variety of viewpoints. To my surprise, all three (age range 16 to 30) agreed on Pogorelich - especially since I had never heard his name. One of my guests had a CD of his, which I promptly played, and it was instant conversion! I now have every one of his recordings.

My two favourites are the "Pictures", and Chopin's 2nd piano concerto. I can see why some tradionalists complain that his style is ideosyncratic - it is! - but what he brings to the music is innovation and sheer beauty. It may sound heretical to say it, but I believe he is able to play the music the way it should have been composed, but wasn't. Improve on Chopin, or Mozart, or Mussorgsky? Impossible? But it's true, if 'conventional' renditions by other artists are indeed more faithful to the composer's own intentions. The proof is in the listening. Suspend your preconceptions, open your mind and your ears, and bask in the glory of his wonderful sound!

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars oh, come ON!!!!, December 15, 2002

By 

Matthew D. White "mdwhite" (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition / Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales (Audio CD)

This is one heck of an album! Sure, IVO plays with the tempos alot, but his pianism is of a highly adventurous caliber, and his interpretations are never careless.

Also, the sound on this disc is more than adequate; actually one of the best recorded pianos I've heard on disc. I have no idea why the sound receives any negative marks here.

I don't think Ivo Pogorelich is interested in paying homage to anyone; not composer nor pianists past. But his approach does have the adventurous spirit of someone like Glenn Gould; if you can tolerate the guy, this makes for one exciting musical experience. Yes, it sounds like he is playing to please himself, rather than to placate an aesthetic or snooty audience. But I admire his chutzpah.