“PICTURES FROM THE EXHIBITION” M.P. MUSSORGSKY: THE MYSTERY OF DEATH AND RESURRECTION

Abstract

This article is the first part of the research representing reading attempt of Mussorgsky's piano suite "Pictures at an Exhibition" as an Orthodox mystery, dedicated to the contemplation and direct experience of the fundamental categories of Life and Death. According to the Christian worldview, captured in this work, death is a consequence of original damage and must be finally defeated at the time of the universal Resurrection. The hypothesis presented to the reader's judgment is a development of the concept of the pianist-philosopher M. V. Yudina and a number of other musicians-thinkers. In the considered piano cycle a number of the properties which are bringing together it with archaic mysteries actions is revealed. Among them it is possible to call: hierarchy, phasing, presence of the conductor-mistagoga, symbolical movements in time and world space, a mythological element, theatrical potential, and, above all, – the idea of the Victory over death and Transformations of the world. The fact that music of "Pictures" is capable to exist organically in the context of synthetic action with mysterious implication proves the most interesting experience of her scenic adaptation which is carried out by V. V. Kandinsky. The possibility of reading of a piano cycle of Mussorgsky in a mysteriological key confirms the special importance of irrational and mystical comprehension of life for the composer.