Vladimír Mikulka, perhaps best known for his recordings of pieces by Nikita Koshkin and Stepan Rak, continues to discover new works and to bring them to the guitar world through publication and performance. The compositions on this disc, recorded for the first time, are substantive yet accessible. The disc begins with Sergei Rudnev's Variations on a Russian Folk Song. The slow melodic theme leads to a set of free variations containing rapid scale passages and arpeggios that build to a climax, followed by a peaceful close. Three Railway Stations on One Road by Nikita Koshkin contains stylistic elements ranging from Albéniz to Charlie Byrds's Three Blues (for Classic Guitar). The image of a locomotive starting at rest, gathering momentum, running at full speed and finally coming to rest again is clearly conveyed by the piece. In the most animated sections, Mikulka's playing is intense yet completely in control.

    Just as Albéniz drew upon the music from the Spanish provinces of Granada, Sevilla and Cádiz, composer Pierre Ancelin was inspired by three songs from the provinces of Galicia, Salamanca and Castellón to create Three Songs from Old Spain. Mikulka makes effective use of rubato and tonal colors to bring out the character of the pieces. The transcription has been published for those interested in performing the pieces. The Grandes Variations on a Theme by Mozart, Op. 6 by Jan Nepomucen Bobrowicz is based on a duo from Mozart's Don Giovanni. Although not quite at the same level of creativity and variety as the more familiar Variations on an air from The Magic Flute by Fernando Sor, Bobrowicz's work is nonetheless a welcome alternative. As with the Ancelin composition, the transcription has been published.

    One of the small gems on this disc is Alexander Ivanov Kramskoi's Lullaby. It is gratifying to see this musical form undergoing a small revival on the guitar (witness Andrew York's composition of the same name), since the guitar is certainly an ideal vehicle for the mood of a lullaby. The other short work on this recording is Prélude by Antonio Ruiz-Pipó. This pianistic work of dark-hued harmonies is in many ways reminiscent of Tansman's Prelude from Suite "Homage to Chopin." Almost half of this disc is devoted to the works of Milan Tesar, and deservedly so. His beautiful Four Ballads, with harmonies and textures that evoke those of John Duarte, is given a heartfelt reading by Mikulka. Tesar's Three Pieces for Two Guitars (both played by Mikulka) are entitled Intermezzo, Aria and Merry-go-round. The third piece certainly lives up to its name, as a rapid arpeggiated accompaniment combines with short repeated melody motives to produce a dizzying effect.

The liner notes by Mikulka are brief but informative. This is the type of recording for which guitar aficionados eagerly await. Highly recommended.