Russian Pavilion
Russia in 1914 was poised on the brink of revolution, the aristocracy obliviously swirling through the narrowing corridors of opulence and excess: Fabergé Eggs, all night dinner parties, lovers, intrigue, grand music and magnificent ballets.
The poster child for the lavishness of Russia was Sergei Diaghilev, who gave Europe a peek of this world that was about to disappear. So who better to act as the host in the Russian Pavilion!
(Right) Rose Trellis Fabergé Egg. Photo: Walters Art Museum on Wikimedia
Music
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Dance of the Tumblers, from The Snow Maiden
Neeme Järvi, Scottish National Orchestra
Chandos CHAN 6598
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: On the hills of Georgia Op 3/4
Vassily Savenko (bass baritone), Michael Dussek (piano)
Meridian CDE 84399
MUSSORGSKY: Promenade and Bydlo from Pictures at an Exhibition
Arranger: Henry Wood
Nicholas Braithwaite, London Philharmonic
Lyrita SRCD 216
SCRIABIN: Sonata No 5 Op 53
Vladimir Horowitz (piano)
RCA 6215 2 RG
RACHMANINOV: Piano Concerto No 2 in C minor Op 18
Leopold Stokowski, Sergei Rachmaninov (piano), Philadelphia Orchestra (rec 1929)
RCA RD 85997
PROKOFIEV: The Enemy of God and the Dance of the Spirits from Scythian Suite Op 20
Valery Gergiev, Kirov Orchestra
Philips 473 600
STRAVINSKY: Tableaux IV from Petrushka
Igor Stravinsky, Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Original 1911 version (rec 1960)
CBS MK 42433
Artist and architect Victor Hartmann and his Plan for a City Gate in Kiev.