Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain

Mussorgsky's "Pictures"

Although I'm happy to have the music, I'm a little disappointed with the quality of the re-mastered CD. The newer recordings have so much more depth. I'll choose more carefully next time. July 28, 2008

Nice production of classic sound

I enjoy classical music and this is one of the best produced and directed by the best. Totally great value. May 4, 2008

Gravestones at an Exhibition

Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic quite miss the mark on this recording. In addition to consistently ponderous tempi, Bernstein's bass and percussion driven sonorities lead to a severe--at times lifeless--interpretation. This piece wants for light and shade, and Bernstein obsesses over the latter without quite capturing the former.

The Promenade gets off to an inauspicious start with decidedly mannered intonation in the brass. Fluttering tone works well in Gershwin, but to my ears it comes off sounding unpolished rather than stylish here. This manner of playing is shed for the "Great Gate of Kiev" which begins quite gloriously, but gets stuck in the mud in the string and woodwind interludes punctuating the main theme.

With so many electrifying recordings of the Ravel orchestration on the market (my favorite being Lorin Maazel's digital recording with the Cleveland Orchestra, Reiner with the CSO running it a close, both available on SACD remasters at this point), there is no reason to settle for this one, which is neither inspired in conception nor distinguished in execution.

The "Night on Bald Mountain" fares better, though by no means stands head and shoulders above other recordings (and they are myriad) of this evergreen crowd pleaser. April 30, 2008

Another great Bernstein

I love Bernstein. Both the Mussorgsky's Pictures at Exhibition and A nigth in the Bald Mountain are masterpieces, and so is Ravel's orchestration of the pictures. I think Bernstein's direction excellent, so beautiful as, for instance, that (famous) by Toscanini.
April 20, 2008

Satisfying version of 'Pictures..'; liked album on the whole

I had attended a SF Symphony performance which included "Pictures At An Exhibition" as orchestrated by Ravel. I was pleasantly suprised by how much I liked that piece taken as a whole. I have always thought highly of Bernstein's interpretation, and believed I would hear a nicely played and interpreted version of 'Pictures..' Indeed, the piece is executed as I thought it would. I like Bernstein's interpretation of 'Pictures At An Exhibition', and the album, on the whole, is worth the suggested price. May 30, 2007

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