The capital city of Ukraine is now known as Kyiv - and is (mercilessly and annoyingly) pronounced "Keeeeeeeev".
I much prefer the old spelling and pronunciation:
Kiev.
When I was a young music student in California, I learned the entire piano composition Pictures at an Exhibition by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky (1839 - 1881). It is a formidable and admirable work, but not quite suited to my artistic tendencies. I performed it privately, but never publicly.
A pen and ink that I made of Mussorgsky when I was about twenty
The final part of this composition is entitled The Great Gate of Kiev.
I was rather disheartened to discover that the Great Gate never existed. It materialized in design only, but never came to tangible fruition.
This might not be of universal interest, but I'll tell the story anyway.
In 1869 the City Counsel of Kiev announced a competition for the design of a ceremonial gateway. The gateway was intended to commemorate "the event of April 4, 1866".
The "event" was the attempted assassination of Tsar Alexander II. A bomb went off but the Tsar escaped uninjured.
Architect and artist Viktor Hartmann (1834 - 1873) won first prize for his design of the intended gate. Unfortunately, due to lack of funds and other inconveniences, the project was scrapped and the gate was never built.
Hartmann's design for the Gate
Vicktor Hartmann died unexpectedly of an aneurysm in 1873 at the age of 39. The following year an exhibition of Hartmann's artwork and designs was held at the gallery of the St. Petersburg Architectural Association.
Composer Modest Mussorgsky, who had been a close friend of Hartmann, was so impressed by the exhibition that the event inspired him to write his piano composition Pictures at an Exhibition - a musical suite depicting ten of Hartmann's paintings.
The final depiction - and the most popular - is The Great Gate of Kiev.
Unfortunately, Mussorgsky's composition didn't receive much recognition until after his death. It was finally rediscovered and revived in the 1920s when the French composer Maurice Ravel arranged the piano work for orchestra (his orchestral version is still popular today).
An unrelated footnote:
Modest Mussorgsky died of acute alcoholism one week after his 42nd birthday.
Several weeks before his death, he was hired to be the pianist at a twelve-year-old girl's birthday party. Plied heavily with alcohol, Mussorgsky had a seizure and passed out in front of the children.
I discovered this YouTube video of Vladimir Horowitz performing the original piano version of The Great Gate of Kiev (the same version that I played).
This is why I enjoy your blog. You are just full of interesting information
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the compliment. I often feel that I'm more boring than informative.
DeleteI also remember Kiev. I hate news people trying to sound all smarter than you. Gutter? Cutter? Kutar? Make up your mind! Jinjus? Jengus? Genghis? Tell us John Kerry.... Whatever.
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks ago the news people couldn't find Ukraine on the map, and now they're suddenly experts on the subject.
DeleteA pity the gate was never built, it looks fascinating, like so much old Russian architecture. It might well have been knocked down by the communists if it had existed, though, I guess. .
ReplyDeleteI agree that (unfortunately) the gate probably wouldn't have survived. From what I've heard, much of Kiev was destroyed during World War II.
DeleteI'm not sufficiently schooled to understand but wonder why -- so many of these brilliant artists endured such anguish, such premature deaths. I agree with what Cheryle said. Like the late Paul Harvey, now we know the REST of the story!
ReplyDeleteIt's astonishing to think of how very many talented people died young back then. I imagine it probably had a lot to do with poor living conditions and inadequate medical care.
DeleteI really miss Paul Harvey.....
Jon, I agree with a previous comment that your blog has interesting and informative information, and it's far from boring at least to myself (and others). I did not know the back story about Pictures at an Exhibition or about Vicktor Hartmann. It is tragic that both artists died at such a young age. Thanks also for including the YouTube video.
ReplyDeleteI used to jokingly say that I'm the most interesting person I know. Unfortunately in recent years - due to personal problems and health issues - I've become depressed and rather boring. Your blog is always upbeat and filled with interesting things.
DeleteThanks, Jon, that compliment was very much appreciated. And, never sell yourself short in providing interesting and informative information. Believe me, you are way ahead of many other bloggers I've read, no kidding.
Delete