One of the most metal moments in classical music

The penultimate movement of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, "The hut of Baba Yaga", rightfully deserves a spot on the top metal moments in classical music. And not just because of its punchy onslaught of rhythmic motifs, the heavy and powerful bass lines or its general unapologetic savagery. The various harmonic innovations present in the movement are quite similar to those employed in the harmonic structures of metal: Phrygian progressions emphasising the use of bII, obstinate pedal points and a predilection for the tritone interval. Brief, abrupt and detached rhythmic cells are joined into rhythmic phrases with a distinctive, often jerky texture and rhythmic patterns are often repeated.

A quick search on the extramusical inspiration of this piece, Baba Yaga, and we begin to understand the wickedness that Mussorgsky was going for. A reference to the hut on chicken legs is made at 00:17 with acciaccaturas that recall a previous movement "Ballet of Unhatched Chicks". Ravel's orchestration leaves absolutely nothing to be desired with the strings taking the foreground here, while percussionists have a ball with their extended use that recalls even Stravinsky's Rite of Spring.

Recording (Dudamel):    • Moussorgski, Tableaux d'une expositio...