Free and appropriate for all ages.
In an extraordinary fusion of art and music, Friends of Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Anne Arundel County Public Schools APEX Arts and ArtFarm Studios have partnered to create a unique visual experience for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra’s (ASO) upcoming performance of Modest Mussorgsky’s celebrated composition, Pictures at an Exhibition.
This creative initiative was inspired by Mussorgsky’s 1874 piano suite. Pictures at an Exhibition begins with a steadily moving Promenade (walking section) in which Mussorgsky depicts himself roving through an exhibition of the recently deceased Viktor Hartmann’s visual artworks in a museum. Learn more about Mussorgsky’s work and the ASO Masterworks II performance of it on our website by clicking here. Students from APEX Arts and ArtFarm Studios listened to Mussorgsky’s evocative music and translated its emotional and visual energy into stunning original mixed media artworks.
“I am absolutely thrilled by the incredible success of this collaboration project, which has far exceeded my expectations,” said José-Luis Novo, Artistic Director and Conductor of the ASO. “From the outset, my vision was to involve local young talent in reimagining the creative process behind Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Instead of visual art inspiring music, we reversed the process—using Mussorgsky’s evocative score as the catalyst for newly created visual artwork. This project came to life through the diligent efforts of our Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (FASO), the expert guidance of Alison Habraugh from ArtFarm Studios, and the invaluable support of Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ APEX Arts program. Together, we’ve brought forward some truly extraordinary student artwork that will add a powerful new dimension to the ASO’s performance of Mussorgsky’s masterpiece. We are also deeply grateful to Maryland Hall for their dedication in acquiring and installing state-of-the-art technology. For the first time, the ASO will use this cutting-edge platform to showcase the students’ artwork during these special performances, making them a truly unique and immersive experience,” he said.
Alison Harbaugh of ArtFarm studios coordinated the student artworks. She assigned each student a specific movement from Pictures at an Exhibition, without informing the students about the title of the movement, or referring to Hartmann’s works. Students made a list of the feelings the music evoked, and created preliminary sketches based on the words, sounds, and feelings. They then created a final piece on wood panels. Incredibly, the student pieces often reflect the original context of Hartmann’s work and Mussorgky’s composition.
Exhibit Details
In the weeks leading up to the performance, the artistic exhibition will be on display in public spaces, providing the community with an opportunity to experience the harmonious blend of music and art in an innovative and accessible way and ensuring the community can experience the students’ artistic interpretations before the orchestral performance.
- January 8-28, 2025 Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library at 1410 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland
- January 29-February 8, 2025 Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, Maryland
Concert Details
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra will perform Pictures at an Exhibition, with guest artist violinist Netanel Draiblate in their third Masterworks concert of the season:
- January 31-February 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM at Maryland Hall. Tickets available by clicking here.
- February 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Music Center at Strathmore. Tickets available by clicking here.
Learn more at annapolissymphony.org/news/artexhibit.