Mussorgksy Sunless, Horowitz Matchless

Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky (1839-1881): From "Bez Solntsa" (Sunless or Without Sun, song cycle): 6) Over the River, transcribed for piano by Vladimir Horowitz (1903-1989) Vladimir Horowitz, piano Recorded in 1947 In "By the Water", or "On/over the River" as it is sometimes called, Horowitz turns to the last song of Mussorksky's cycle, Sunless (1874), composed to words of his much admired friend, count A.A. Golenishchev-Kutuzov. Its mood of introspective brooding is summarized in the lines "I gaze silently on the deep waters. The magic of tender hearted secrets, lapping, melting, with tender caress... An unknown voice torments the soul, gnawing, frightening, bringing doubt. Does he permit me to listen? He did not move away." (J. Chissel) Painting by Isaac Levitan (1860-1900)