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Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Pictures At An Exhibition [LP Red Japan 1976 - NM/NM]
A1
Promenade
A2
The Gnome
A3
Promenade
A4
The Sage
A5
The Old Castle
A6
Blues Variation
B1
Promenade
B2
The Hut Of Baba Yaga
B3
The Curse Of Baba Yaga
B4
The Hut Of Baba Yaga
B5
The Great Gates Of Kiev
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🎹 EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER – Pictures at an Exhibition
A classical-rock fusion masterpiece, performed live
📀 Album Overview
Release Date:
UK: November 1971
US: January 1972
Recorded: March 26, 1971, at Newcastle City Hall, England
Label: Island Records (UK), Cotillion (US)
Length: ~39 minutes
Producer: Greg Lake
Genre: Progressive rock, classical rock, art rock
🧠 What Is It?
Pictures at an Exhibition is a live adaptation of the 1874 classical piano suite by Modest Mussorgsky, reinterpreted in ELP’s own progressive rock style — combining Moog synths, Hammond organ, electric guitar, and drums with moments of faithful classical homage and explosive rock improvisation.
It was both ambitious and radical: turning a 19th-century composition into a loud, theatrical rock show.
🎼 Track Structure (Adapted from Mussorgsky)
Promenade – Recurring theme representing the viewer walking through an art gallery
The Gnome
Promenade (Reprise)
The Sage – A medieval-inspired vocal/guitar piece by Greg Lake
The Old Castle – Atmospheric organ-led piece
Blues Variation – A wild, instrumental jam inspired by “The Old Castle”
Promenade (Organ)
The Hut of Baba Yaga – Driving, menacing riff representing the witch of Russian folklore
The Curse of Baba Yaga – Adds vocals and expands the suite’s narrative
The Hut of Baba Yaga (Reprise)
The Great Gates of Kiev – Grand, majestic finale with vocals:
“Come forth, from love’s domain / Behold the power of music”
Nut Rocker – A fun encore: a rock ‘n’ roll cover of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, originally by B. Bumble and the Stingers
🧑🎤 Band Lineup
Keith Emerson – Keyboards (Hammond organ, Moog synthesizer, piano)
Greg Lake – Vocals, bass, electric and acoustic guitars
Carl Palmer – Drums and percussion
🎨 Cover Art
Original UK edition had gatefold artwork by William Neal, depicting classical-themed illustrations resembling museum paintings
US cover was different and more abstract
The concept evokes the listener moving through an imaginary gallery, with each musical piece representing a "painting"
🏆 Impact & Reception
Initially rejected for studio release by Atlantic Records (who thought it was “too niche”), it eventually became a huge success, especially in the UK and Japan
Peaked at #3 in the UK and #10 in the US
Helped ELP cement their reputation as classical/prog rock innovators
Inspired a generation of prog musicians to incorporate classical forms
Still considered a landmark live album in the genre
📋 Album Summary
Attribute Detail
Title Pictures at an Exhibition
Artist Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Released November 1971 (UK), January 1972 (US)
Type Live concept album
Source Material Modest Mussorgsky’s 1874 piano suite
Genre Classical rock, progressive rock, art rock
Highlights “The Great Gates of Kiev”, “The Hut of Baba Yaga”
Notable Encore “Nut Rocker”
Legacy One of the boldest fusions of classical & rock
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