Search - Mussorgsky, Ashkenazy, La Sym Orch :: Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (Piano & Orchestral Versions) [Australia]

Mussorgsky revisited

Roger Smith | Sydney, Australia | 07/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fabulous CD set. The original vinyl came out in 1967, and since then Ashkenazy has become more known as a conductor. This CD reminds us what an exlemplary pianist he was. And of course Zubin Mehta and the Los Angeles Philharmonic do a wonderful rendition of Ravel's orchestrated version. It is great to have both versions back to back on the one CD.



I already have the piano versions by Horowitz and Richter, so this is a superb addition to those. Personally I love the piano version because it creates so much room for your own imagination to add wings to what is being played, but you can let the orchestral version wash over you in a wonderful palette of sounds.



Thankyou to this Australian edition. As a footnote, just a few days ago at the Sydney Opera House Zubin Mehta played this piece with the Israel Philharmonic and was met with rapturous applause."