Young Explorers: Pictures at an Exhibition at Royal Northern College of Music

RNCM Young Explorers concerts are a fantastic way to make classical music accessible to children and young people. They aim to engage the whole family with relaxed performances, designed to be fun, unique and exciting.

In the latest of the Young Explorers series, they invite you to take a trip through the musical art gallery Russian 19th Century composer Mussorgsky called, Pictures at an Exhibition. It is Mussorgsky’s most famous piano composition, and has become a showpiece for virtuoso pianists. The piece was written in honour of his friend, the artist Viktor Hartman, and the music was inspired by his art.

Viktor Hartman was born in St Petersburg in 1834 and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts there. He first started working by illustrating books, and went to on to become an accomplished painter. He became close friends with Mussorgsky and after his early death at the age of only 39, an exhibition of over 400 of his paintings was curated (sadly few survive today). The exhibition was displayed in the Academy of Fine Arts in Saint Petersburg, in February 1874. It was this exhibition that inspired Mussorgsky to compose his suite, Pictures at an Exhibition.

As well as enjoying the stunning Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra, during the performance the audience will also see artist James Mayhew return to the RNCM. He will be illustrating episodes from these beautiful stories live on stage.

This concert is a thrilling way to engage the whole family in classical music. The event is recommended for children aged 3 years and above, but younger children are permitted if you wish to take them along. Open up those little ears and minds to the beauty and drama that live classical music can take them in their imaginations and beyond.

Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra
Tom Newall conductor
James Mayhew narrator and illustrator