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''Pictures At An Exhibition'' is a timeless and evocative piano suite that has withstood the test of time.

The work has influenced and stimulated musicians, virtuosic pianists, interpreters and arrangers to this very day since its completion in 1874.

As is well know Russian composer, Modest Mussorgsky wrote his piano suite very quickly in response and shock to the death of his close friend and confidant, the artist and designer Viktor Hartmann. Soon after an exhibition of Hartmann's work was organised and put into place in the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg by the influential critic, Vladimir Stasov. Musorgsky was immediately inspired and wrote the suite soon after.

This particular interpretation by the Modest Trio (Vladimir Miller - Piano, Joe Williamson - Doublebass, Arkady Gotesman - Drums) commits itself to improvisational extrapolation where each section of the suite is treated as way in to collective simultaneous exploration. the suite has such color, richness and depth in its harmonic language that I felt it would lend itself to a free and sustained jazz orientated approach. This is something I've had in the back of my mind since attempting to play it many years ago. Since then it has long been a constant puzzle to me how Modest Mussorgsky found the ideas that informed this incredible piece, as it is written in a style and exquisite uniqueness unlike anything else of it's time.

Recorded in St. Cyprian's church, Bakerloo, London, we wanted the sound to resonate with the echo and ambiance that may be heard if this music were to be played in an exhibition hall.