Alexander Ivanov-Kramskoy - Concerto For Guitar And Strings / Variations For Guitar And Orchestra FLAC download

This is a really interesting recording. I've got a fair classical guitar collection, but I had never seen or heard of this artist. Added on the back cover are notes on Mr. Ivanov-Kramskoy, which are accurately reproduced above, and descriptions of the songs by Joseph Greenspan. His own prelude in D minor is based on folk themes, Russian of course, and makes a welcome addition to a the catalog. I'm not familiar with any other Russian guitarist, but the fifth piece recorded here is by Russian guitar master Mikhail Visotsky (1791-1837). This is pretty a piece and not so challenging that it shouldn't be more common, it utilizes many techniques as it "wheels" through variations on a Russian melody. The notes remark that the piece was developed for his students and that he was otherwise poorly known.