Modest Mussorgsky was inspired by paintings and watercolors to walk through an imaginary gallery with his music. Originally, it was with this solo piano piece that he paid homage to his friend Victor Hartmann, a painter and architect who had died that year in 1874. However, among gnomes and witches, castles and gardens, the fantasy of Pictures at an Exhibition only truly blossomed in 1922, when it was transcribed for orchestra by Maurice Ravel. But this program has another even more surprising transcription in store for us. Accordionist João Barradas continues his crusade to expand the repertoire of his instrument and proposes to play Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3, one of the most difficult works in the entire piano repertoire. The accordion will “take wing” in a test of endurance, expressive control and technical dexterity.
Pictures from an Exhibition
Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra
S. Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 (transc. for accordion and orchestra by João Barradas)
M. Mussorgsky Pictures from an Exhibition (orch. M. Ravel)
Soloist João Barradas accordion
Pedro Neves conductor
