Who wrote Pictures at an Exhibition?

Who wrote Pictures at an Exhibition?

• A. Beethoven
• B. Mussorgsky
• C. Verdi
• D. Holst

Answer: (B)

This question tests your knowledge of who created Pictures at an Exhibition. Modest Mussorgsky wrote this piano suite in 1874, inspired by the paintings and drawings of Viktor Hartmann. The pieces paint musical impressions of the artworks, with a connecting Promenade motif weaving the sequence together. While the suite is famously heard in Maurice Ravel’s orchestration, the original composer is Mussorgsky. The other composers listed—Beethoven, Verdi, and Holst—are known for different works and did not author this piece.

This question tests your knowledge of who created Pictures at an Exhibition. Modest Mussorgsky wrote this piano suite in 1874, inspired by the paintings and drawings of Viktor Hartmann. The pieces paint musical impressions of the artworks, with a connecting Promenade motif weaving the sequence together. While the suite is famously heard in Maurice Ravel’s orchestration, the original composer is Mussorgsky. The other composers listed—Beethoven, Verdi, and Holst—are known for different works and did not author this piece.