SMS’s - Six Messages

"This Russian guitarist/composer has written a number of really clever and tuneful pieces. This latest batch of six, all have titles concerning the sort of thing you might 'text' to someone. The opener Merry Christmas is a 3/4 allegretto in C, but unlike many other pieces in C that lesser composers might write, this is most definitely not a three-chord trick. By bar 3 you have introduced Bb into the harmonies, followed by an excursion into D minor, via a C# in bar 4. None of this sounds forced; it all fits perfectly naturally into the piece. It then proceeds to travel through Bb via Eb, then Ab via Db and finally F# via B, all in the space of six bars; effortlessly inventive and delightful too. Bon Voyage introduces a chore style of rhythm, and thus it sounds very Latin, having plenty of swift moving chords. I Am Sorry is another highlight; it is marked dolente, and has a very emotive little melody with imaginative harmonies. It's Very Funny! is a scherzando with swing rhythm and a jazz/ragtime sort of feel that makes it loads of fun, whilst the six different percussive elements make it a bit difficult at first to get to grips with. The final Good Night saves the best to the last. This is the sort of piece that in the days of cabaret shows on TV the headline artist, be he a pianist or a guitarist or whatever, would say 'good night' with this as his trademark last piece, and you would be quite wrong if that makes you think it would be a second rate item. It is immediate and has a winning set of harmonies and a tune destined to leave an audience feeling suitably warm and fuzzy. These are lovely pieces that have plenty of contrast, show a brisk melodic imagination and a fine eye and ear for clever passagework and slightly off kilter harmonic combinations. Nothing is beyond a modest player who has full command of the fingerboard and this really is a book you should have a look out for."

Chris Dumigan (Classical Guitar Magazine)