Although Russian composer Nikita Koshkin is best known for his guitar suite The Prince's Toys, Alexander Chekhov's recording Parade provides a forum for seven of Koshkin's other works. The disc opens with Andante quasi Passacaglia e Toccata, a piece that in its atmosphere is reminiscent of Rodrigo's Invocation et Danse. Koshkin's composition is an excellent example of how old musical forms can be reinvented for the 20th century. Chekhov's playing is appropriately intense, characterized by a very full sound in the forte sections. In the middle section, which consists of dark chords interspersed with answering notes and harmonics, his playing is relaxed and warm. This work has been recorded by several artists, including Alice Artzt on her CD Variations, Passacaglias and Chaconnes (Helios CDH88026). The concert suite Elves, which consists of five sections (Gavotta, Valse, Cubana, Melody and Galop), presents a marked contrast to the Andante quasi Passacaglia e Toccata. Gavotta has harmonies and melodies that start out straightforwardly, but then dart off mischievously in unexpected directions. Valse is both soulful and playful, while Cubana has several blues-like elements, particularly in the bass lines. Melody is a lovely, introspective work in classic Spanish guitar style. The suite ends with the tango-influenced Galop. Particularly noteworthy in Chekhov's performance of Elves is the clarity between the melody and accompaniment.

    Usher-Valse is based on Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher. Once again, Chekhov projects the intensity of the opening section, with its bright and brittle staccatos. In the middle section, he captures the spirit of a melody that starts out sane but ultimately descends into a madness of intensely strummed chords, buzzing strings and eerie harmonics. An excellent performance.

    Five Pieces from Mascarades reminds me of the compositional style of Milan Tesar, in that it is a tonal five-movement work in which individual movements range from one to two minutes in length. The piece is pleasant enough, but does not have that distinctive quality of Koshkin's other works. The next two pieces are Avalon and Merlin's Dream, which are based on Malory's Morte d' Arthur. Merlin's Dream is an imaginative work characterized by a tremolo-based melody. The final work on this recording is the title track Parade, a blues-style piece reminiscent of Charlie Byrd's Three Blues for Classical Guitar. It is a charming ending to a wonderful recording. There is an energy to Chekhov's playing that brings out the fundamental qualities in Koshkin's writing.

    Those interested in other compact disc recordings of Koshkin's works should also consider Vladimir Milkulka's recording The Prince's Toys (BIS CD-240). Guitarists should note that the music has been published for Elves, Five Pieces from Mascarades and Merlin's Dream. Recommended.

    Jim Tosone is a Contributing Editor and Staff Reviewer for Guitar Review magazine. He has written for Soundboard magazine and authored the classical guitar entries for the three-volume Music in the Twentieth Century.


His new book, Classical Guitarists: Conversations, contains in-depth interviews with Bream, Williams, Fisk, Isbin, Starobin, Tanenbaum and others. It also includes reviews of their CDs and concerts, and a discography of their recordings.

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