Pictures at an Exhibition

Modest Mussorgsky

Recordings

Top Choice

Mikhail Pletnev

1989

Gil's top choice for the solo piano version. A 'multi-layered interpretation' that 'really does give us that personal sense.' It has 'powerful tone, the virtuosity, the dramatic phrasing,' and an 'extra element of depth, the different colors.'

Also Worth Hearing

Sviatoslav Richter

1958 Live in Sofia

An 'iconic interpretation... recorded live in Sofia.' It is 'incredibly powerful and very intense... very virtuosic, very powerful, but also very probing as well.' Famously includes a flubbed note at the beginning.

Vladimir Horowitz

1951 Live at Carnegie Hall

'Just incredible,' with 'massive sonority and power' and 'better recorded' than Richter's. A 'creative interpretation' with 'wonderful different shades of color.' Gil jokes, 'who needs an orchestra when you have Horowitz?'