Ep. 36: The Figure and the Frame – Mussorgsky and Pictures at an Exhibition with Notes & Strokes

The day architect and artist Viktor Hartmann died was a sad one. It was especially hard for composer Modest Mussorgsky, who’s opera Boris Godunov was one of Hartmann’s favorite works. After an exhibition of Hartmann’s art, Mussorgsky was moved to write a piano suite based on his experience there, Pictures at an Exhibition. This episode features Izaac and KC from the podcast Notes & Strokes. Together, we explore this piano masterpiece and the art that one may have seen at the exhibition.

Pictures at an Exhibition was recorded by Chiara Bertoglio.

The art:
Costume sketch of canary chicks for the ballet Trilby: Hartmann_Chicks_sketch_for_Trilby_ballet.jpg (691×831) (wikimedia.org)
The Rich Jew: The_Rich_Jew.jpg (400×500) (wikimedia.org)
The Poor Jew: The_Poor_Jew.jpg (250×340) (wikimedia.org)
Paris Catacombs: Hartmann_Paris_Catacombs.jpg (828×620) (wikimedia.org)
The hut of Baba-Yaga on hen’s legs. Clock in the Russian style: Izbushka2.jpg (1866×2556) (wikimedia.org)
Plan for the City Gate of Kiev: Hartmann_–_Plan_for_a_City_Gate.jpg (641×868) (wikimedia.org)

Where to find Notes & Strokes:
Apple Podcasts: ‎Notes & Strokes on Apple Podcasts
Spotify: Notes & Strokes | Podcast on Spotify
PodBean: Notes & Strokes (podbean.com)
Instagram: An Art and Music Podcast (@notes_and_strokes) • Instagram photos and videos

Become a member of The Composer Chronicles on Patreon to get ad-free versions of all the episodes, early access to those ad-free versions, access to the member-only podcast Unscripted, and other things podcast related! https://www.patreon.com/thecomposerchronicles

Join me and an incredible, growing community living healthier lifestyles in a body positive space with Roy Belzer Fitness: https://roybelzerfitness.com/signup and use offer code chronpodcast at checkout!

Theme music is by Daryl Banner: https://darylbanner.bandcamp.com/

Alexandrian Media Teespring: https://teespring.com/stores/alexandrianmedia