Pictures at an Exhibition is a piano suite composed by Mussorgsky in 1874. It remains his most popular work, famed as a showpiece for virtuoso pianists. Dedicated the work to artist and architect friend Viktor Harmann and inspired in the exhibition of Hartmann's work held after his death. Today most of the pictures from the Hartmann exhibit are lost, making it impossible to be sure in many cases which Hartmann works Mussorgsky had in mind. Though composed in 20 days, the work was printed only in 1874. This first Rimsky-Korsakov edition presented many mistakes. Only in 1931 was the work published in agreement with the composers manuscript. The first (incomplete) orchestral arrangement was by Mikhail Tushmalov, followed by Henry Wood, and Maurice Ravel (whose orchestration has since become the most popular version of the work). Hundreds of versions of the work have been produced since (employing a great number of ensambles), sometimes by renowned composers. A number of conductors have made changes to the scoring by Ravel, though, including Toscanini and Golovanov . The suite has inspired homages in a broad range of musical styles: a version featured in two albums by the British trio ELP incorporates elements of progressive rock, jazz and folk music (1971/2008).
