PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION

When this album was released at the first time, I did not pay into attention of this. I just played the cassette occasionally and I was more to play YES cassettes. But couple of months later I found the album very interesting so I kept playing it. AT that time I did not know who Mussorgsky is and for me classical music was nonsense as I could not find any "energy" from the music. The more I listened to the ELP album, the more I liked it and it turned out to be one of my favorite cassettes.

As for this album I have two personal experiences that I will not forget the rest of my life.

First, when I was at Bandung, studying at ITB (Bandung Institute of technology) I was at the same time involved actively in student's activity called Marching Band Waditra Ganesha. I played trombone because I wanted to emulate James Pankow (Chicago Transit Authority - Chicago) on playing trombone. I was so interested with this instrument (at that time). Opo tumon? (read: "How can I?") I claimed myself as rocker but I loved jazz instrument? Never mind! That's a fact and that's my past! I learned to play trombone and at the same time learned about composition (a bit) and harmony (a bit). Later I was more in "organization" structure until the time where I headed department that look after "art development". Wow! I thought "Now is my time to rock the marching band man .!!!". I had an idea to play rock music for marching band's composition. So I contacted my colleagues Djoko and Tony who had been familiar with "composing" to make arrangements of rock music. They both also loved progressive rock music. Deal! We worked days and nights to select what songs and how to make it enjoyable. You know, finally we decided to include "Promenade" of ELP as opener and then followed with "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" - The Police and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen. We practiced and rehearsed with marching band team of roughly 80 people - and finally .. it was a perfect composition! I cannot forget how wonderful our performance in "Promenade" and I loved ELP very much.

Second, quite recently - it's probably a year ago, our local FM radio focusing on Classical and Jazz music aired the interpretation of ELP to Mussorgsky's composition in "Pictures at an Exhibition". I was very happy that our classic and legendary album by ELP was finally featured in "serious" discussion at classical FM station. The album was played in its entirety with comments from the broadcaster for each song being aired. The comments were very positive and in fact it was great for rockers being fully appreciated by classical music fan (the broadcaster). Since then, I repeated again my CD of this album.

For those who are not familiar with classical music, this album can be an entry point where Mussorgsky's creations are interpreted by this legendary progressive rock trio. That is true for my case as I never knew classical music before. I would say that rock music intoduced me to classical music, not the other way around. Lately I knew that many rock musicians were basically trained in classical music. This is a highly recommended album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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