One of my favorite writers of all times is Dostoevsky and everyone always used to tell me that to love Dostoevsky's books automatically meant I would
April 19, 2008

One of my favorite writers of all times is Dostoevsky and everyone always used to tell me that to love Dostoevsky's books automatically meant I would love Mussorgsky's music as well. It took me a long time but I eventually at least understood what they meant. They are both Russian nationalists whose work examines-- brilliantly examines-- people who might be termed "roadkill" in contemporary art. Mussorgsky died at 42 years old (in 1881), the piano suite Pictures at an Exhibition being one of his last great works-- and his most famous. It is literally a "Remembrance of Viktor Hartmann," a celebration in 10 piano pieces of his friend's paintings, Hartmann having died the year before it was composed, 1873. This is the last of the ten pieces, "The Great Gate of Kiev."

Can you help us out?

For nearly 20 years we have been exposing Washington lies and untangling media deceit, but now Facebook is drowning us in an ocean of right wing lies. Please give a one-time or recurring donation, or buy a year's subscription for an ad-free experience. Thank you.

Discussion

We welcome relevant, respectful comments. Any comments that are sexist or in any other way deemed hateful by our staff will be deleted and constitute grounds for a ban from posting on the site. Please refer to our Terms of Service for information on our posting policy.
Mastodon