4 1/2 Stars. This is a Japanese edition and most of what's written is in Japanese and German. It is rather interesting that Igor Markevitch should conduct Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition as it concludes with the Great Gate of Kiev, the city in which he was born. Kiev is only the conclusion of a unique and thrilling account of Pictures - thrilling at least until the end.
Markevitch is definitely his own man. To begin with, he is not afraid to take a retard in the concluding measures of an individual picture more than you usually hear with other conductors - and it makes you ask, "Why don't all conductors do it?" I found myself asking that question quite often. Markevitch's sense of contrasts and dynamics is extraordinary. It is as though you are hearing the work for the first time. This is a truly fresh and remarkably successful approach to an old warhorse.
The Great Gate of Kiev, actually, was the least impressive of the pictures (I don't think Markevitch lived there long!). Frankly, I think that Ravel should have beefed up The Great Gate of Kiev more. (I want TWO orchestras AND a concert band to bring the piece to a close! Too much???) Seriously, I expected more from the final tutti section than is heard. The recording was made in 1973, and we have had many great recordings from the 1970's. I just don't have an explanation. The Great Gate of Kiev begins well, and you expect even better at the conclusion. Interpretively, Markevitch keeps a strict tempo just before the conclusion when you desperately want a retard. Downer. But at least the tempo isn't as schizophrenic as in Serebrier's Naxos disc of Stokowski's orchestration. Fantastic Great Gate of Kiev's are heard in Neeme Jarvi/CSO, Kuchar/Ukraine, Reiner/CSO, and my pick for the absolute best Picture - Ormandy/Philadelphia (the Japanese-produced disc).
Sonics are stunning on this 24-bit processed disc. Each instrument is clearly heard and very natural-sounding whether it is a trumpet, violin, bassoon, flute, or bass. Yet you hear the ensemble. As mentioned above, only the Great Gate of Kiev proved to be less than I expected.
So what you have here is a superb sonics with the most original interpretation of Pictures that I have ever heard. And does it ever work! Highly recommended (but get somebody else for The Great Gate of Kiev).