Modeste Mussorgsky wrote and produced Pictures at an Exhibition to keep alive the memory of his dear friend Victor Hartman.

An exhibition of artist and architect Hartman’s work in 1874 showcased watercolours, sketches of his travels and costume designs. These inspired Mussorgsky to write a suite of ten piano pieces, all dedicated to his deceased friend. In the process he created a monument far more massive and lasting than his subject.

This lecture-recital by Geraldine and world renowned pianist Bobby Chen will take the listener on a tour through the music with visual and musical descriptions to show how Mussorgsky acheived this masterpiece of music. Art works included are by Victor Hartman, Geraldine van Heemstra, Calla and Iona Mitchell as well as by Columbian born artist Christina Rodriguez.

Lecture recitals thus far: 2009 – Jacques Samuels Pianos, 142 Edgware Road, W2 and The Haagsche Club, The Hague, The Netherlands; 2011 – Hermitage-Amsterdam

Download the full score here of Bydlo (2012) by pianist-composer Grant Foster

Review by Michael Quin, music and theatre journalist, March 2016:

Bydlo (2012) is dedicated to Geraldine van Heemstra, whose evocative etching of oxen burdened by a hay-filled cart inspired by Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition prompted so many intriguing and stimulating questions in Grant Foster’s mind.

Grant Foster in his notes about his music

 …the tumbling menace of Bydlo is a reaction to an etching by the Dutch artist Geraldine van Heemstra (herself prompted by the music of Mussorgsky).