Growing up in Moscow, I listened frequently to Mussorgsky’s operas and to Shostakovich’s symphonies. Although these composer-giants are separate in time, they are united for me by their darkness of vision, their power and quirkiness. Indeed, Shostakovich admired and was greatly influenced by Mussorgsky and produced new editions of his operas Boris Godunov and Khovanschina. I have wanted to record a Russian CD for some time now and the works of these greats in particular.

Pictures at an Exhibition is a work of outstanding genius that demonstrates to the full the piano’s range of colour and power. It is no surprise that so many, Ravel only one among them, have transcribed the piece for orchestra. The musical language is unique and the images amazingly vivid and haunting. The shadow of death dominates the work. It is a tribute to Mussorgsky’s friend, the talented painter Viktor Hartmann, whose death affected him greatly, and is inspired by his dark and eerie drawings. It culminates with ‘The Great Gate of Kiev’, which represents a transition to another world.

The 24 Preludes in places share the darkness and symphonic sound of Pictures. But this early work also has a more youthful, fresh, adventurous feel to it than Shostakovich’s later compositions, notably the perhaps better-known 24 Preludes and Fugues, and shows a more romantic, lyrical side to his music. Once again, the challenge and appeal of the work is in the range of colours and characters it presents.

I would like to thank Michael Ponder, Charles Padley, David and Pauline Butt, everyone at Onyx and my mother, Anna Rakhman, for making this recording possible.

© Katya Apekisheva, 2012