The Great Gate of Kiev

Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) composed the 'Pictures at an Exhibition' in 1874 as a suite of ten piano pieces. The suite is generally acknowledged to be Mussorgsky's greatest solo piano composition, and has become a showpiece for virtuoso pianists. It has also become known through various orchestrations and arrangements produced by other musicians and, with Ravel's arrangement being the most recorded and performed. The Great Gate of Kiev is the last movement of the suite. The music of this section starts with big, long chords, describing the grandness of the gate. The Promenade theme is heard, perhaps depicting many people walking together through the gate. It also introduces a solemn secondary theme suggestive of Russian Orthodox chant. The end of the movement is victorious, with bells ringing grandly.