Stan Laferriere - Les tableaux d'une exposition - Jazz Big Band (2020)

After delivering a magnificent history of orchestral jazz with their previous opus (Big One), Stan Laferrière and his big band have now produced an adaptation of Modest Mussorgskys famous Pictures at an Exhibition, an essential work in the music of 19th century Russia. And his guest here, Pierre de Bethmann, takes the opportunity to show his own artistry by inserting subtle variations as a counterpoint to the orchestras own discourse. This jazz version of Pictures concocted by Laferrière (almost 100 years after the unavoidable adaptation by Maurice Ravel), gives Mussorgskys work a sparkling treatment: it shows exactly why this is one of the most appreciated, most often played pieces in the worlds repertoire, and not only where jazz and classics fans are concerned. Augustin BONDOUX / Patrick FRÉMEAUX