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Music That Inspires
Pictures at an Exhibition, “Promenade I” and “The Great Gate of Kiev”
by Modest Mussorgsky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Procession of the Nobles, from Mlada
by Rimsky Korsakov . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Morning, from Peer Gynt
by Edvard Grieg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Swan Lake, Act I, Scene I
by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaichovsky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
William Tell Overture: Storm, Allegro vivace
by Gioachino Rossini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Mathis der Maler, mvt. 3
by Paul Hindemith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
by Claude Debussy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Symphony No. 2, mvt. 4
by Jean Sibelius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
2 Music that Inspires / BSO Listening Guide
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Pictures at an Exhibition
by Modest Mussorgsky
Pictures at an Exhibition (1874) is a suite of ten piano pieces composed by the
Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky. The work was written to commemorate
artist and architect Viktor Hartmann, who had passed away in 1873. Hartmann
had been a close friend of Mussorgsky’s. In 1874, a posthumous exhibition of
several hundred of Hartmann’s works was displayed in the Academy of Fine Arts (St
Petersburg). Pictures at an Exhibition was composed just a few months later. The
work represents an imaginary musical tour of the artist’s collection.
Mussorgsky based the music from the suite on several of Hartmann’s drawings and
watercolors. Of the ten pictures represented in the music, three originally appeared
in the 1874 Hartmann exhibition: Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks, The Hut on Hen’s
Legs (Baba Yaga), and The Bogatyr Gates. The musical pieces in the suite are organized
as if the composer himself were taking a tour through an exhibition. However, not all
of Hartmann’s work has survived, and it is often unclear which work Mussorgsky is
referring to.
Promenade I
In this movement, Mussorgsky depicts himself entering the exhibition and walking through the
gallery to the first exhibit. The melody and simple rhythm are reminiscent of Russian folk songs.
The alternating meters of 5/4 and 6/4 represents the viewer moving around to look at the paintings.
Variations of this movement are played five more times in the suite, as Mussorgsky approaches other
works.
Theme from the Promenade
Great Gate of Kiev
This movement is based on sketches that the artist Hartmann made for a monumental gate for Tsar
Alexander II. The gate was intended to commemorate the failed assassination of the Tsar in 1866. The
movement alternates majestic and solemn sections in a rondo (ABABCA) form. At the end you can hear
the Promenade for the last time.
BSO Listening Guide / Music that Inspires 3
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Procession of the Nobles, from Mlada
by Rimsky-Korsakov
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was a Russian composer who lived from (1844-1908). He was born into
an aristocratic Russian family where the sons were expected to follow one of three paths: business, the
military or the church. Although he gave evidence of exceptional musical talent at an early age, young
Nicolas followed tradition and opted for the military route. He joined the navy and became inspector
of military bands from 1873-1884. Through his travels with the navy, he had the opportunity to “see
the world” much more than most Russians of his day and brought home many exotic influences that
surfaced in his music later on. - from http://hop.dartmouth.edu/assets/pdf/notes-fall-dws.pdf
Mlada is an opera-ballet in four acts. The music for Mlada was composed in 1889-92 by RimskyKorsakov. The libretto was written by Viktor Krylov, and it is based on a text from Slavic mythology
set in the early 9th-10th century. The opera was first performed at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1893. It
was relatively unsuccessful, due to its large cast and stage requirements. Afterwards, Rimsky-Korsakov
arranged five of the numbers as a popular symphonic piece. The last piece in the suite is the Procession
of the Nobles.
The symphonic version of Procession of the Nobles is a grand march that features an opening brass
fanfare to announce the entry of the nobles. The upper woodwinds are prominent throughout the piece.
At the end, a powerful conclusion marks the end of the procession.
Things to Listen For:
What instruments do you hear at the beginning of the piece?
Is the tempo fast or slow?
Can you clap the beat? Now, imagine you are one of the nobles. Can you walk to the beat?
What are some words you can use to describe the mood of this piece?
What instruments play the melody?
Why do you think the composer used this music to represent a procession of nobles?
6 Music that Inspires / BSO Listening Guide
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BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCH ESTR A
Morning, from Peer Gynt
by Edvard Grieg
Edvard Grieg was a Norwegian composer who lived from 1803-1907. He was asked
to compose the music for Peer Gynt by playwright Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen based the play
on a Norwegian folk tale about the adventures of a daydreamer named Peer Gynt,
who lived with his mother on a farm in Norway. Peer Gynt was premiered in Oslo on
February 24, 1867. The score is about ninety minutes long, and Grieg arranged several
of the pieces into two concert suites that could be performed separately.
Peer Gynt is an example of program music, a form of classical music in which the
sounds of the music and the instrumentation tell a story. In program music, it is
possible to tell what is happening in the story just by listening to the music. When you
listen to “Morning,” you’ll hear the sun gradually rising over the mountains. The flute and oboe are
used to represent birds singing as the sun rises. Note the way that the instruments alternate, as if they
were birds singing back and forth to each other. As you listen to the piece, you can hear that “Morning”
conjures up the image of the dawn of a peaceful day in the mountains of Norway.
Things to Listen For:
Peer Gynt is based on a story that was set in Norway. Where is Norway? Can you find it on the map?
Discuss what program music is.
What images does this music make you think of?
What kinds of instruments do you hear? What do they sound like?
Does the piece get louder or softer? Faster or slower?
What do you hear at the very end of the piece?
Why do you think Grieg used this music to illustrate what morning sounds like?
BSO Listening Guide / Music that Inspires 7
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BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCH ESTR A
Swan Lake, Act I, Scene I
by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaichovsky
Swan Lake is a ballet (a story told through music and dance) that was written by the Russian composer
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The music is arranged for full orchestra, and consists of four acts. The
libretto was written by Vladimir Begichev, who commissioned the score from Tchaichovsky in 1875.
The story of Swan Lake is based on an old German legend about a princess who is turned into a swan
by an evil sorcerer’s curse. Tchaichovsky’s ballet was originally choreographed by Julius Reisinger, and
performed by the Bolshoi Ballet in 1877.
Synopsis
Like all the best tales of enchantment, Swan Lake involves a beautiful princess, a
passionate prince, and a really major obstacle to their happiness. That obstacle is the
wicked sorcerer von Rothbart, who, in the prologue to Kevin McKenzie’s adaptation,
captures the Princess Odette and turns her into a swan by day. Only if a young man
pledges his love and marries her can the evil spell be broken. But should he betray her,
she will remain a swan forever.
In Act I, Benno, the childhood friend of Prince Siegfried, leads the court and villagers
in a celebration of the prince’s coming-of-age. The Queen Mother offers the prince
his present, a crossbow. She reminds him that as he is to become king, he must choose a bride at the
following evening’s ball. Realizing the days of his carefree youth are over, Siegfried leaves the festivities
to seek the solace of the woods.
-from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/shows/swanlake/synopsis.html
Things to Listen For:
Discuss what a ballet is.
Discuss the story of Swan Lake. What kinds of music could you use to represent parts of the story?
What kind of mood does this music have?
Is it fast or slow? Happy or sad? Think of some words that describe what you hear.
What kinds of instruments are used? Can you name them?
8 Music that Inspires / BSO Listening Guide
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BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCH ESTR A
William Tell Overture: Storm and Allegro vivace
by Gioachino Rossini
The music for the opera William Tell was composed by the Italian composer Gioachino Rossini. The
overture consists of four parts: a Prelude, Storm, Ranz des vaches, and a Finale. The music of the
overture is very well-known, and has been featured extensively in popular culture.
The first part, Prelude, is a slow passage that is primarily played by the lower string instruments (cellos
and basses). The Storm section is played by the entire orchestra, while the Ranz des vaches section
prominently features the English horn. The Finale is characterized by a “cavalry charge” theme that is
played by the trumpets. The Finale is probably the most well-known section of the work, since it was
used as the theme music for the Lone Ranger.
Things to Listen For:
Do you recognize this piece?
What does the music make you think of?
This music was used as the theme for the Lone Ranger. Can you hear the galloping horses in the music?
What instruments are used in this piece?
Is the music fast or slow?
BSO Listening Guide / Music that Inspires 9
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Mathis der Maler, mvt. 3
by Paul Hindemith
The symphony Mathis der Maler (Matthias the Painter in English) was composed by Paul Hindemith.
It is based upon themes from Hindemith’s opera Mathis der Maler, about the painter Matthias
Grünewald. The symphony consists of three movements: Angelic Concert, Entombment, and The
Temptation of Saint Anthony.
Movement 3: The Temptation of Saint Anthony
The final movement starts with a slow introduction, which is interrupted
by a sudden outburst from the percussion. The first theme is allowed to
build through the strings, woodwinds, and brass, until it comes to a sudden
halt. The next theme that is introduced consists of a short fortissimo
motive of four descending tones. The louder section that ensues ends
suddenly with only a soft trill and melody in the cellos. After a fugal
section, the ending chorale “Lauda Sion Salmatorem” can be heard in the
woodwinds. The chorale grows louder and louder, until the work comes to
a triumphant conclusion with a chorus of brass.
Isenheim Altar by Matthias Grunewald
Things to Listen For:
What instruments do you hear as the music goes along?
Discuss what a motive is.
This piece has a special four note motive. Can you figure out what it is? Can you sing it?
Discuss what a chorale is.
At the end of the movement there is a chorale. How does Hindemith orchestrate this music to make it
sound solemn?
What instruments are playing at the end of the piece?
10 Music that Inspires / BSO Listening Guide
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BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCH ESTR A
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
by Claude Debussy
The Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (or Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun) is a
orchestral composition by Claude Debussy. It was inspired by the poem L’aprèsmidi d’un faune by Stéphane Mallarmé, about the mystical adventures of a faun
playing his pan-pipes alone in the woods. The work was first performed in 1894,
conducted by Gustave Doret.
The opening of the piece begins with a memorable motive, which is softly stated
in the flute. The motive is free-flowing, with an uncertain rhythm. In contrast, the
woodwinds boldly introduce a more rhythmical, tonal theme. These two essential
themes are alternated throughout the Prelude.
The Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun is orchestrated for a small symphony orchestra, without
trumpets and trombones. Throughout the piece, Debussy experiments with different instrumental
timbres and contrasts. These novel combinations of instruments are alternated with contrasting sections
that are in unison.
Things to Listen For:
What instrument begins this piece?
What is the mood of the music at the beginning of the piece? Does it change?
What instruments do you hear in the orchestra? Debussy wrote this piece for a small orchestra, without
trumpets or trombones. Why do you think he did that?
What does the music make you think of? This music is based on the mystical adventures of a faun. Can
you imagine what the faun is doing?
Can you name some of the instruments that are paired together?
BSO Listening Guide / Music that Inspires 11
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BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCH ESTR A
Symphony No. 2, Fourth Movement
by Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2 in D major, Opus 43 was completed in 1902. It was first performed by
the Helsinki Philharmonic Society on March 8, 1902, with the composer conducting. A revised version
was performed in 1903 in Stockholm, conducted by Armas Järnefelt. The work is about 45 minutes
long, and consists of four movements: Allegretto, Tempo andante ma rubato, Vivacissimo, Finale
(Allegro moderato). The third movement and the finale are played attacca.
Fourth Movement
The fourth movement of the symphony has a structural form called sonata form. At the beginning of
the movement, the strings and trombones play a dramatic melody which alternates with short motives
in the trumpets. As themes from the exposition build and then lead into the development, Sibelius turns
to a densely contrapuntal treatment of the music. After a strong climax, the reprise of the first section
(exposition) is heard. A powerful fortissimo coda follows, incorporating a familiar three-note motive (a
main idea in the symphony) in the brass.
Things to Listen For:
Discuss what a symphony is. (A symphony can refer to either an orchestra or a piece of music.)
What instruments does Sibelius use in this piece?
This is the final movement of a symphony. How does Sibelies end this work? Is it soft or loud? Fast or
slow?
Discuss what sonata form is.
Listen to the theme at the beginning. Do you hear it again in other parts of the movement? How does it
change?
12 Music that Inspires / BSO Listening Guide
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BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCH ESTR A
Glossary
Attacca- (It.) Attack! (imperative) Used at the end of a movement to mean ‘Start the next movement
without a break’.
Ballet- Entertainment in which dancers, by use of mime, etc., perform to music to tell a story or to
express a mood.
Chorale- Hymn tune with harmonization.
Motive- A brief self-contained fragment of a musical theme or subject.
Movement- The primary, self-contained sections of a large composition, so called because each
movement of a work usually has a separate tempo indication.
Orchestra- A mixed body of instrumentalists for the performance of symphonic and other works.
Orchestrate- To arrange for orchestra.
Program Music- Instrumental music which tells a story, illustrates literary ideas, or evokes pictorial
scenes.
Rondo- (It.) Round. Form of composition, usually instrumental, in which one section intermittently
recurs.
Sonata Form- Type of musical composition (sometimes known as compound binary form) normally
used in first movement of a sonata, symphony, or concerto. Regular sonata form implies 3 sections:
Exposition (containing first subject), 2. Development (in which the material of the Exposition is worked
out in a kind of free fantasia). 3. Recapitulation (in which the Exposition is repeated, though often with
modification).
Symphony- A large scale orchestral composition, usually in 4 movements but often in 1, 3, or 5;
occasionally in 2; Also refers to a symphony orchestra.
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