Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition Primary: Pre-K & K Day at the Louvre

Mussorgsky-Russian Nationalism Nationalism swept over Europe in 1850’s. Nationalism is a pride in one’s country. Establishing artistic, musical, and literature specific for the certain country without another country’s influences. Mussorgsky and four other musicians were considered “The Russian Five” They composed and centered around music specifically for Russia.

Mussorgsky-Pictures at an Exhibition Artist and architect Victor Hartmann, one of Mussorgsky’s close friends was also a nationalist. At 39 Hartmann died stunning the entire Russian artistic community. A memorial exhibit of Hartmann’s work was organized and displayed in 1874. Under the inspiration of that showing, Mussorgsky conceived of his Pictures at an Exhibition.

Pictures at an Exhibition Originally written for piano, later arranged for full orchestra by Ravel. Feature 10 movements with a promenade between them. The entire work is a musical example of Mussorgsky’s thoughts and feelings about going to his friend’s memorial exhibition and looking at his different pictures.

Promenade On your visit to an art exhibition, or museum, you might want to casually stroll, looking at all the lovely artwork. You will “Promenade” until something really interesting catches your eye, then you may walk faster or with a purpose of seeing it closer. That is when you study the piece of artwork, until you understand it’s story. Then you will again “Promenade” until you reach another piece of artwork.

Tuileries- Dispute Between Children at Play Jardin des Tuileries is near the Louvre in Paris Hartmann’s original picture of the children having a dispute in this garden is lost, however this is how the Jardin, garden, looks today.

Primary’s Task-Listen to the differences in the music… Draw and Dance Form When does the music change? Are there different sections to the music? Do the different sections repeat? How can you draw the different sections in the order you hear them? Dynamics Does the music get louder and softer in some areas than in others? How can you draw the difference in loud or soft?

Example of Listening Map… Music-Tuileries, Dispute Between Children at Play. Form… Does the Music Change? Are there different sections in the music? Yes, one sounds happy the other sounds sad/angry. Do the sections repeat? Yes, first is sounds happy, then sad/angry, then happy again. How can you draw the different sections in the order you hear them?

Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks Hartmann's costume design for the 1871 fantasy ballet Trilby shows dancers enclosed in enormous eggshells, with only their arms, legs and heads protruding.

Primary-Ballet of Unhatched Chicks Listening Map Listening Map-Passport Listen to music of Unhatched chicks and raise hand when music changes. What do you picture during the different sections of music? Draw your Listening Map in your Passport

Primary-Ballet of Unhatched Chicks Dance Once the listening map in your passport is complete, you may now dance like the unhatched chicks. Dance showing the different sections of music. Remember… Represent the music in your dancing. Always be respectful and safe with yourself and others while your dancing.