Pictures at an Exhibition, Part 1: Promenade; Gnomus-Gnomus Cover Image

Pictures at an Exhibition, Part 1: Promenade; Gnomus-Gnomus: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

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$55.00 USD
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Pictures at an Exhibition, Part 1: Promenade; Gnomus-Gnomus Cover Image
Pictures at an Exhibition, Part 1: Promenade; Gnomus-Gnomus: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Pictures at an Exhibition, Part 1: Promenade; Gnomus-Gnomus: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

By Modest Mussorgsky / arr. John Boyd

Grade: 5

Item: 36-10100408
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Description
This is an impressive and massive work for mature bands! Boyd's setting is not a simple rehashing of the famous Ravel orchestration, as Boyd remains more faithful to the bold musical language of Mussorgsky's original composition. This exciting work fits the bill for better high school and college bands, yet is substantial enough to meet the needs of professional organizations as well. The work is available in its entirety with all seven sections and the score included at a value-minded price, or each of the individual sections may be ordered individually as a set of parts only and the complete score (10105314) may be purchased separately should only certain sections be of interest. The sections include: Part 1: Promenade; Gnomus-Gnomus. Part 2: Promenade; Il Vecchio Castello.Part 3: Promenade; Tuileries; Bydlo. Part 4: Promenade; Ballet Of The Chicks In Their Shells; Two Jews, One Rich, The Other Poor; Promenade. Part 5: Limoges-The Market Place; Catacombae; Cum Mortuis In Lingua Mortua. Part 6: The Hut On Fowl's Legs. Part 7: The Great Gate Of Kiev.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Pictures at an Exhibition, Part 1: Promenade; Gnomus-Gnomus: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: LudwigMasters Symphonic Band
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-63-361046-2
ISBN13: 978-1-63-361046-0
UPC: 753625260952
SKU: 36-10100408
Instrumentation: Concert Band

More about this title

About the Composer: Modest Mussorgsky

Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) was a Russian composer whose work fundamentally challenged the conventions of 19th-century classical music. Largely self-taught and resistant to formal academic training, he developed a strikingly original voice that prioritized bold harmonies, vivid orchestration, and nationalist themes over technical polish. His music drew inspiration from Russian folk traditions, historical events, and visual art, making him a central figure in the Russian nationalist school.

Pictures at an Exhibition stands as one of Mussorgsky's most enduring creations. Originally written for solo piano in 1874, it was conceived as a series of musical impressions responding to a memorial exhibition of paintings by his friend Viktor Hartmann. The work's narrative structure, vivid imagery, and harmonic daring make it a touchstone for both pianists and orchestrators. Its translation to concert band preserves Mussorgsky's compositional intent while capitalizing on the ensemble's capacity for color and dynamic range.

Why we love this

John Boyd's setting cuts through the shadow of Ravel's famous orchestration by returning to Mussorgsky's original harmonic language and structural choices. This version demands real maturity from the ensemble without becoming gratuitous or overly difficult. The opening Promenade and Gnomus section establish the work's character immediately: audiences hear authentic Mussorgsky voice and genuine musical substance.

What to expect

This music invites the ensemble into a vivid, almost theatrical soundscape. The Promenade walks you through ornate rooms with stately dignity, while Gnomus erupts with grotesque energy: skittering, menacing, darkly comic. The piece never settles into comfortable harmonic territory; instead it unsettles and surprises, maintaining the listener's attention through sheer force of character and color.

Who it's for

Advanced high school and college concert bands with secure fundamentals and mature musicians capable of sustaining extended musical narratives. The Grade 5 designation reflects the technical demands and stamina required, making this work ideal for programs preparing for region or national competition circuits. Accomplished community bands and professional ensembles will find the Boyd arrangement equally rewarding.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the Promenade with genuine architectural weight. This isn't a brisk transition but a stately procession through a gallery. Allow rubato to breathe naturally across phrase endings without losing forward momentum.
  • Balance the grotesque character of Gnomus by letting individual woodwind colors emerge. The gnome's jerky, angular motion comes through in clarity and separation rather than overplayed dynamics.
  • Commission a timpani player comfortable with both precision and resonance. The percussion writing here is integral to the musical storytelling, not accompanying.

How to use it

Deploy this as a concert centerpiece capable of standing alone as the evening's anchor work. Its episodic structure and visual narrative appeal make it an excellent choice for thematic programming around art, literature, or cultural heritage. The work also serves as a performance goal for bands aiming to demonstrate technical range and musical sophistication at festivals or competitions.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and executing a sustained multimovement work with contrasting styles and moods
  • Balancing sectional independence with ensemble coherence across complex harmonic language
  • Interpreting nationalist and programmatic elements through instrumental color and articulation
  • Managing dynamic and rhythmic precision in syncopated and angular melodic writing
  • Sustaining concentration and musical intent across extended rehearsal and performance demands

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