Originally written as a set of piano pieces, Mussorgsky’s splendid Pictures at an Exhibition translates the artistry of the composer’s friend Victor Hartmann into unforgettable music. Peter Breiner’s new orchestration creates a showpiece for our times, achieving contemporary sounds through unusual instrumental combinations, right up to a spectacular Great Gate of Kiev performed by 104 musicians.

Mussorgsky’s remarkable song cycles contrast encounters with death against the often uneasy world of children in The Nursery.

Peter Breiner has been associated with some of our most successful orchestral recordings, not least the three disc series of Janáček’s Operatic Orchestral Music which were also produced with the excellent New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Volume 1 of this set was a MusicWeb International ‘Recording of the Year’ and the arrangements in volume 3 were described as ‘beautifully crafted symphonic suites’ by the Chicago Tribune.