Before I attended music school, I was first introduced to this piece by the well-known 1971 cover from ELP. I then bought the Deutsche Grammophon vinyl release of the Mussorsky classic and have loved it ever since...........it is the best example, I believe, of the "tone poem" structure.
During 1977, I spent many days transcribing this work for 12-piece percussion ensemble while in school and although some sections sounded terrific, some did not..........perhaps I had the wrong vehicle.
After all my exposure and memorization of this work (40 years now), I will finally get to see it performed by symphony for the first time this month on Saturday the 16th.
I know every note and I am really looking forward to this performance.