Review

Modest Moussorgsky
Pictures at an Exhibition:

Arranged by Ralph Sauer


Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2012
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Originally written as a suite in ten movements for solo piano in 1874, Modest Moussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition has been orchestrated and arranged numerous times, with Maurice Ravel’s orchestration being the most famous. Pictures at an Exhibition was inspired by ten watercolors and drawings created by Moussorgsky’s recently deceased friend, Victor Hartmann. Each movement of the work depicts a different piece of art, while the “Promenades” between movements represent an onlooker moving between the pieces on display. Ralph Sauer’s arrangement captures the spirit of the original work and provides the trombonist with the opportunity to play the melodies performed by the string, woodwind, and trumpet players in Ravel’s orchestration. Sauer’s arrangement retains the original key of each movement and includes the original tempi and expression markings given by Moussorgsky. Sauer also translates the title of each movement to English, which provides further insight into the character of each movement. This arrangement takes about 30 minutes to perform and covers a range from BB-flat up to f2. While the trombonist is the predominant melodic voice through much of the arrangement, the trombonist also plays the supporting role when the pianist has the melody.  Rests are carefully planned within movements as well as during the interludes, helping to both manage the changing roles between the performers and provide the trombonist with a break before and after difficult or taxing passages. Straight mute is required in some of the movements and adds a nice change of color and character. Sauer’s arrangement is accessible to advanced and ambitious musicians and can serve as the exciting centerpiece of any recital.

-Russell Ballenger
University of Mary