2026-2027 Concerts Series
Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Performances at 9:30 am and 11:30 am
Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition is a vivid musical journey that turns an orchestra into a gallery of sound and storytelling. Originally inspired by artwork by Viktor Hartmann, each movement paints a completely different scene—sometimes whimsical, sometimes mysterious, sometimes bold and powerful.
Students will hear how music can “describe” images:
- a playful, slightly mischievous gnome
- the grandeur of ancient castle gates
- the energy of a bustling marketplace
- the lighthearted sound of children at play
- and a thrilling finale that brings the whole experience together
A recurring “Promenade” theme guides listeners from one musical picture to the next, like walking through an exhibit and pausing to take in each work of art.
Pictures at an Exhibition is a perfect introduction to orchestral music, musical storytelling, and the idea that sound can create imagery and emotion without words. Listeners are encouraged to imagine, respond, and discover how composers use rhythm, melody, and color to bring ideas to life.
As part of this performance, PSO offers an optional, collaborative experience in which interested schools are invited to have students create original artwork inspired by the music, with selected drawings projected during the live performance to transform the concert into a shared gallery of sound and image.
