When Art and Music Converge — Pictures at an Exhibition

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Mar 20
2 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

Art and music come together in spectacular fashion in Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, a masterful suite that transforms a walk through a gallery into a vivid musical experience. Concertgoers will have the chance to experience this powerful fusion when the Lee County Community Orchestra performs the orchestral version on Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 p.m. at The Mann Center.

Originally composed in 1874 as a suite for solo piano, Pictures at an Exhibition was Mussorgsky’s heartfelt tribute to his close friend Viktor Hartmann, a talented artist, architect, and designer who died suddenly at the age of 39. Deeply affected by Hartmann’s death, Mussorgsky attended a memorial exhibition of his friend’s work—and found inspiration among the paintings, sketches, and architectural designs on display.

Each movement of the piece evokes a specific artwork from that exhibit, with musical themes that capture both the image and the emotion behind it—from playful whimsy to haunting grandeur. A recurring “Promenade” theme represents the composer himself walking through the gallery, guiding listeners from one scene to the next.

Though originally written for piano, the version most audiences know today is the brilliant orchestration by Maurice Ravel, which brings the artwork to life with rich textures and colorful instrumentation. The Lee County Community Orchestra’s performance of this version promises a dynamic and moving concert experience—where paint and sound merge in an unforgettable artistic tribute.

Join us for this celebration of creative expression, where visual art becomes music, and music becomes a journey through the imagination.