Pictures at an Exhibition

The BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Martyn Brabbins in Mussorgsky’s classic Pictures at an Exhibition and, with the BBC Symphony Chorus, Nunes Garcia’s Missa de Santa Cecilia.

Nunes García was a contemporary of Beethoven – a musician and priest of mixed heritage who scaled the pinnacle of Brazilian musical life when the exiled Portuguese court relocated to Rio de Janeiro. This magnificent Mass setting from 1826 – dedicated to the patron saint of music – might just be his masterpiece. Martyn Brabbins, a superb cast of soloists and the BBC Symphony Chorus bring it out of the shadows tonight.

When Modest Mussorgsky visited an exhibition of pictures by a much-missed friend, his imagination ignited. Pictures at an Exhibition with its glowing skulls, dancing chicks and the Great Gate of Kyiv is one of the most colourful half-hours you’ll ever spend in a concert hall.

Recorded at the Barbican on Friday 10th May 2024. Presented by Martin Handley

José Maurício Nunes Garcia: Missa de Santa Cecilia

Interval

Modest Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (orch Maurice Ravel)

Erika Baikoff (soprano)
Marta Fontanals-Simmons (mezzo-soprano)
Joshua Stewart (tenor)
Ross Ramgobin (baritone)
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Martyn Brabbins (conductor)