Omnibus at the Proms

1991-08-30

Pictures at an Exhibition by Musorgsky began its life as a cycle of piano pieces, but has been orchestrated and arranged by more composers than any other musical work. At the last count there were more than 24 versions. Tonight's programme features a complete performance of Pictures using arrangements by nine different people. Pianist Joanna MacGregor asks why so many composers have been attracted to this music while Leonard Slatkin, who conducts, will explain how he came to put together this colourful mixture. Pictures at an Exhibition, performed by the Philharmonia, includes one movement by the Proms founder Sir Henry Wood and is linked by a series of interludes called 'Promenades' - a true Promenade Concert.