"Pictures at an Exhibition," the Frost Symphony's acclaimed 2021 multi-media work, is coming to public television this spring. In March, it becomes available to all U.S. PBS stations with two years to air it. More than 200 nationwide outlets, including New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Miami flagship stations, have committed to airing the program.
"This program exemplifies our dedication to showcasing the intersection of art, culture, and music, providing audiences with a unique and enriching viewing experience that celebrates creativity and innovation in the world of classical music," said Joyce Belloise, senior vice president of South Florida PBS.
A major performance project, "Pictures at an Exhibition," presents visual art to accompany a live performance of the 1874 Modest Mussorgsky composition, as orchestrated by Maurice Ravel in 1922. Mussorgsky's original inspiration for the music was a posthumous art show by his friend, the Russian painter and architect Viktor Hartmann.
Frost Symphony Orchestra conductor and professor Maestro Gerard Schwarz had the idea to pair the music with images of contemporary art. Frost School of Music Dean Shelton G. Berg's encouragement led to a collaboration with Jill Deupi, director and chief curator of the University of Miami's Lowe Art Museum. The project was presented live at Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center during the 2021 Miami Art Week and recorded at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall.
Deupi selected more than 50 artworks, as well as works from the Lowe's collection, to accompany the piece's ten movements and five promenades. The performance is 35 minutes, preceded by footage explaining the project's inspiration, with interviews and performances by Frost Symphony Orchestra and pianist Tingting Wu (D.M.A.' 23.)
" 'Pictures at an Exhibition' is like a lesson in how to take a piano work and make it more colorful and beautiful," said Schwarz. "To do a new version, incorporating new artworks to each movement, was thrilling. It was a great experience."
Check your local PBS listings for air dates.
