Pictures at An Exhibition

Evgeny Samoyloff writes: "Mussorgsky's From Memories of Childhood cycle was never completed by the composer; in fact, he wrote only the first two pieces: 'The Nurse and I' and 'The First Punishment'. An earlier cycle-to-be, entitled Children's Games and featuring 'Corners' as it's opening piece, was similarly never completed. I have taken the liberty of selecting what I believe to be the best of Mussorgsky's miniature pieces - those that appear most complete - and of joining them to the primary cycle of Childhood Memories. I was guided by the music's imagery and by it's 'childhood' essence (as if seen through the eyes of a child), and I have endeavored to compile the set following the principles of contrast and artistic integrity, as well as those of tonal and architectural balance. This is how this cycle of eight pieces came into being, and I hope that it has a right to exist and to achieve widespread appeal."