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Rimsky Korsakov Differences

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originally envisioned (Bricard 2002, 6). Lamm’s version restores the course, impure harmonies and modifications. It returns the original dynamics that Rimsky-Korsakov had changed.
It is in this restoration that Mussorgsky’s talent for establishing a Russian National sound can be heard. Some of the movements are intended to reflect different cultures through the eyes of a Russian viewing a painting. The “Tuileries” reflects a French sound as “Samuel Goldenberg und Schmuyle‎” reflect a Yiddish sound. Mussorgsky accomplished this through modal harmonies and his modulations are done to reflect the feeling of moving from one painting to the next. Just as he creates French and Yiddish sounds, the finale of the piece, “The Great Gates of Kiev,” carries …show more content…

It is easy to look back and decide that Rimsky-Korsakov did a disservice to Mussorgsky’s work. However, if it had not been for Rimsky-Korsakov’s diligence, would Mussorgsky’s work have made it into the historic realm of musical consciousness at all? During Rimsky-Korsakov’s time, dissonance and unusual structure was frowned upon if music was to gain and keep a broad appeal. It could be said that Mussorgsky was well ahead of his time in his compositional style. Still, his work, in its untouched form may have fallen by the wayside as the workings of a drunken, uneducated man failing in his attempts to give Russia a voice. Perhaps, just as Antonin Dvorak eventually gained fame despite his strong adherence to his ideals about a national sound, Mussorgsky would have also been rediscovered after his death without any help from Rimsky-Korsakov. No one can say for sure. What can be said is that assuming Mussorgsky’s works were full of errors due to ignorance is a disservice to the talent and deliberation of the composer. What many saw as errors could have been easily corrected. After all, he was surrounded by other talented composers, including Rimsky-Korsakov, who surely pointed out those “errors” during Mussorgsky’s lifetime. Balakirev was known for his futile attempts to correct and guide Mussorgsky’s works. Mussorgsky was also known for sticking to his vision in defiance of Balakirev’s tutelage (Calvocoressi and Abraham 1978, 14). It is in these bold statements from Mussorgsky that it becomes clear how intentional his writing was. That is why he continues to be highly regarded and why more and more often, original versions of his compositions are making their way to the

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