Link

youtube channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/olegkiselevguitar

web page in russian
www.abc-guitar.narod.ru/pages/kiselev.htm
 

Contact
  Oleg.Kiselev@list.ru

Article published in the "Guitat International" magazine
(n.11 July / September 2005)

Modern guitar music for children,
as seen from our Russian counterparts

link to order the book

 oleg.kiselev@list.ru

LENIN STREET BLUES

YOUNG GUITARISTS ALBUM

by Oleg Kiselev

GuitarPrint.

50pp.

Kiselev's music is well known to me. I have seen numerous volumes from this talented writer, and often a large number of pieces in every volume.

Now this should imply that at least some of it I would be throwaway material, but this is rarely if ever the case, as the vast majority of his guitar music is imaginative, extremely varied in its many styles, and vividly written.

This latest volume has no less than 30 pieces, split into 4 chapters, ranging in difficulty from Morning Song a simple idea that begins in two voices before adding some larger chords partway through, to the complexities of the final 5-movement E-Mail Suite which has everything from multiple chords in high positions to many rhyth­mic difficulties.

Many of the pieces are a great deal of fun, and are childlike in their appeal and he does make the point that the edition is targeted towards intermediate and upper grade students of musi­cal schools and colleges. I still fear however that some of these pieces are very tricky indeed and to play the last few in the book you would have to be a considerably talented player.

Nevertheless the music within is very melodic, with blues, ragtime, waltzes, romances, and many other genres beautifully captured, and so if his melodic imagination sounds like something you might enjoy, then have a look at this book. and the many others available by this writer.

(Chris Dumigan)

link to order the book

 oleg.kiselev@list.ru

CLOUDS - YOUNG GUITARISTS ALBUM
for one and two guitars by Oleg Kiselev
MPI, 52pp
So here is yet another collection of pieces by the seemingly indefatigable Russian guitarist, Oleg Kiselev. Over recent years I seem to have reviewed quite a number of his albums (and I notice that there is another one in my 'to review’ pile), mostly which fall into the same formula as this one, which is: a collection of works of Grade 5-6 standard. many of which are totally unsuitable for what is associated with the words "young guitarists”; i.e pre-to early-teen age group unless they are unusually gifted. These words appearing on the front cover, plus the puerile cartoon drawing emblazoned across it in full colour, give entirely the wrong impression as to the technical standard.
In past reviews of Mr. Kiselev's compositions I have sometimes been disappointed with the musical standard: however in this album of 29 pieces there are many to be recommended: plenty of good tunes, nice rhythms and slightly surprising twists and turns in the music. Of particular interest are the five works which comprise the section marked “Jazz-Suite”. Bringing up the rear are four pieces for two guitars which are just ok - nothing more.
As stated in previous reviews, the possible draw­back to albums of this nature is that many of these works are too difficult for the lower grade student to tackle, but possibly too 'easy' (in a musical sense) for the higher standard player when there are far more rewarding pieces in the guitar repertoire to consider. Bit of a dilemma really.
(Steve Marsh)

link to order the book

 http://www.productionsdoz.com

20 PIECES IN FIRST POSITION

by Oleg Kiselev

Les Productions d'OZ.

23pp.

Oleg Kiselev writes in an accessible and imaginative musical style and this cycle of 20 pieces explores first position with a wide variety of melodic,rhythmic and textual ideas. Each piece has an imaginative title and maintains a particular mood throughout.

There is a fairly wide range of difficulty here, from Song of the Spring Birds, a 16-bar single melodic line in C major, up to complexities of three and four part, chords with accidentals in the capricious Small Fidget. Care is taken to make everything easily playable, however, Melody lines are attractive, if predictable  a range of keys are used - Dream Waltz moves from E major to E minor: Cowboy and Girl from C major to E flat major. Aquarium Fishes is effective in G major with unsettling accidentals. A range of time signatures and rhythmic ideas are explored - Song About Russia is in 6/8 with a melody punctuated by pedal bass notes; Steppe Breeze switches between semiquavers and quavers in repeated patterns over held bass notes. Hasty Etude requires chromatic semiquaver passages and staccato.

The quirkily titled Incorribible Shirker of Lessons requires playful alternation of pizzicato and golpe with swing quavers; Dancing Solar patches of Light has a simple waltz rhythm; Warm Summer Rain has mostly continuous quaver movement throughout, requiring good right hand control.

Clearly set out, easy to read with no fingering and few extraneous markings., this volume is useful for aiding the development of a sense of character and, mood in performance. Its carefully restricted technical means makes it particularly suitable for capable young players ,in the grade two to four range.

Recommended.

(Linda Ketsall-Barnett)

link to order the book

 oleg.kiselev@list.ru

AQUARIAN FISHES

YOUNG GUITARIST'S ALBUM

by Oleg Kiselev

Music Production International.

66pp.

This volume by the Russian guitarist and composer Oleg Kiselev contains 68 pieces aimed at the younger player from the earliest stages up to an advanced level. There are four sections: Fifty Pieces in First Position range from miniatures to around 36 bars in length; Ten Pieces For Young People contains more complex musical ideas and textures and Provincial Suite and Ecological Suite, each containing four pieces, embrace a far more complex sound-world. Throughout, titles are imaginative (verging on the bizarre), aimed at inciting the imagination to help create an effective sound-picture.

The opening pieces in the first section {20 of which appear in Kiselev's separate volume Twenty Pieces in First Position) are single-line or simple two-part exercises mostly moving by step with straightforward rhythms and melodic shape: The Lost Kitten develops simple scalic work on the treble strings, introducing a bass line; The Glutton Dance places the bass simultaneously with the melody; The Knight's Ballade has rests in the bass line. Textures are developed through simple arpeggio exercises and chords. Contrasting moods are encouraged through titles such as The Grandmother Recollects her Youth, Wake Up and My Mum's Favorite Ringtone, and there is gradual inclusion of more complex technical requirements such as key signatures, accidentals and a variety of rhythmical ideas. The title piece, Aquarian Fishes, contains triplet arpeggio figures and a witty bass line with evocative chords - fun to play and  shape dynamically, it falls easily under the fingers and gives an effective result.

Ten Pieces For Young People requires a standard of playing around the grade four mark - An Old Rusty Knight's Sword, marked recitando, is an evocative depiction moving from a chordal texture through  pizzicato to strummed major seventh chords, finally fading away with harmonics. Kite is a joy to play, moving around the fingerboard with an attractive melody, appoggiaturas and an effective chord section. Towards Distant Shores is a quiet contrast with a profusion of harmonics and After the Holiday creates its nostalgic tone with a sustained melody. I cannot imagine my students wishing to play a piece titled 38.7 Temperature - marked serioso, this is a solemn creation in G minor. Invasion has far more dramatic appeal with aggressive sliding chords and parallel fourths. Romance of a Christmas Tree Thrown into a Dump, again in G minor, is appropriately, melancholy and the witty Cowboy Who Was Lucky to Save His Scalp bounces around the fingerboard with swung quavers and staccato chords in D major.

The Provincial Suite requires a playing level of at least Grade seven: On the Waves of My Memory is inviting to play with a haunting melody and attractive sonorities in the displayed chords. A repeated pattern of descending harmonics leads to a fitting repeat of the opening phrase, To Moscow, To Moscow , has the feel of a fast agitated - jazz elements in the harmony and effective sliding chords create a dramatic sense of momentum The Old Family Picture is more complex in texture with shifts in tempo: Provincial| Beauty has challenging chromatic chord passages and a swing section to close.

The Ecological Suite looks extremely complex on the page but fits under the fingers well; tire four pieces here are contemporary in feel and require good musical  knowledge, understanding of the fingerboard and an ability to articulate at speed. Dead River opens with demisemiquaver figurations and includes a fast and dramatic  rasgueado section; the waltz Dance of the Mutant in Love includes the special effect of crossing the first two strings for a percussive effect and a witty swing section, with a long run of triplets before its final  chords. The Air Seller requires a feeling of spaciousness with freedom to enjoy the harmonies and chromatic passages. Asphalt Kids opens with a cool jazz theme. reminiscent of West Side Story, and proceeds, with attitude, to involve parallel fourths and muted chord sections. A highly dramatic 8/8 section closes with glissandi dawn the sixth string to Bartok pizzicato. This piece is fun to play a highly  effective.

A huge range of material here, within one cover - and although it is aimed at the Young Guitarist, there is much to enjoy for those who are, perhaps, outside this category.

(Linda Ketsall-Barnett)

link to order the book

 oleg.kiselev@list.ru

BLUES OF THE LATE TRAIN
A YOUNG GUITARISTS ALBUM
by Oleg Kiselev Music Production International.
40pp.
Here is a collection of no less than 22 new pieces by this talented composer. Having seen his work many times now, I have yet to be disappointed. He seems to have an endless supply of musical ideas to present.
This latest set relies heavily on blues and other similar popular styles of music. By the way, don't let the subtitle of Young Guitarist's Album make you think these pieces are simple to play, or that only children can enjoy them, for that is simply not the case. The slightly 'modern' way of writing swing styles, namely two quavers to mean a triplet of a crotchet and quaver is strongly in evidence here too. The set starts with Smoky Blues, a little piece that relies on open fourths to create its effect, but still finds its way up to fret twelve and thereabouts for a certain amount of the time. Jazzy chords play a part in the next piece, Her Radiant Smile that also uses etouffe chords in alternation with actual chords at one point, and one or two large stretches involving six string chords.
It really is a completely satisfying set of fabulous little pieces, making it almost pointless to single out any as being better than the oth­ers. as each of you will have your own favourites. Don't miss out on this marvellous little set, and while you're ordering it, have a look out for Kiselev's other fine books too, of which there are many, and none of which will be a disappointment. Strongly recommended.
(Chris Dumigan)

links to order the book

http://www.brotonsmercadal.com/angles/compositor.html

oleg.kiselev@list.ru

TEN EASY PIECES for solo guitar
by Oleg Kiselev Brotons & Mercadal Editions.
16pp.
First off, let's get down to the job description here: these are not what one would normally categorize as 'easy' pieces (except to the higher-grade player), anything with the word 'easy' in the title is suggestive of technically lower-grade material, i.e.: grades 1-3. The easiest one in this collection is a little above that mark and the rest fluctuate around 5-6. This composer seems to have a propensity of using words in the titles to his editions which could lure unsuspecting students into purchasing material far too difficult for them; his 'Young People' and 'Young Players' albums, reviewed in the past, were both made up of works In the upper Intermediate area.
Now for the good news. This collection contains some very nice student compositions of varying styles and moods. Each piece has a descriptive title and in general, the music lives up lo the individual headings; hence we have a couple of poignant works with The Sad Queen and The Eyes of the Homeless Dog; a creepy one in Through the Dark Wood; and the slight dissonances in the entertaining Dance of Scorpion conjure up images of that creature.
The two stand-out pieces are Dance of Glass Decorations on the Christmas Tree, a relatively lengthy work played entirely in natural harmonics. and the jovial Strawberry with Cream which con­cludes the collection in a jazzy swing-rhythm fashion.
Throughout, the music is imaginatively written, entertaining to play and sensibly fingered and for the Intermediate student looking for new material, this album is worth trying out.
(Steve Marsh)

link to order the book

http://www.tecla.com/catalog/1703.htm

TEN EPISODES IN A YOUNG GUITARIST'S DAY
by Oleg Kiselev Tecla Editions.
11 pp plus CD.
Oleg Kiselev has created a set of ten imaginative pieces in this well pre­sented volume.
Clearly set out (no fingering), each piece is around a page in length. A variety of keys and styles are employed effectively to conjure up images and moods.
Morning Song has a lyrical melody in С major with attractive use of rolled chords - the contrast­ing bars at the close seem to imitate birdsong with acciaccaturas high on string one. Near the walls of an old fortress, modal in feel, requires good control to produce the melody from the harmonic texture and its busy semiquaver figures are useful exercises in repeated notes. Run to the River has a playful quality throughout - it opens innocuously enough, but the middle section here is quite demanding, requiring some stretching with parallel chords. Sudden Rain, marked appropriately risoluto, requires a strong rhythmic approach punctuated by arpeggio effects. I particularly liked Touch the Rainbow - its optimistic feel is created with a calypso style rhythm, and although the parallel chords require a strong left hand the brightness of the piece makes it fun to play. The following two pieces would probably be discounted by many students on account of their titles (my students were highly sceptical) - however, Waiting for Mother is a very attractive study in С minor and The Examination Piece is a useful and demanding study in E flat major. Textbook Pictures from the Middle Ages, modal with an attractive swinging compound rhythm, and The Comical Girl (witty with jazz leanings and a hint of 'The Third Man') are both excellent. The final piece, A Warm Quiet Evening, requires good control of the finger­board to create the required lyri­cism. Some of the chord sequences are fairly clichéd but overall this piece is satisfyingly effective. The problem I have with this volume is that it seems to be aimed at younger players while the level of strength and skill required is quite demanding - minimum level here is around grade two, moving up to around grade six. However, there is plenty of contrast and fun for the capable player.
(Linda Kelsall-Barnett)

link to order the book

http://www.davoy.no/collections/types?q=Noter%2FCD-er+Klassisk+gitar
 

ENGLISH SUITE
by Oleg Kiselev Endre Davoy Musikk, Norway.
10pp (includes CD).
This little three-movement suite from this fine Russian composer is dedicated to John Duarte, whose English Suite from several decades ago proved the staple diet of many a player, including myself, when I was a teenager learning the craft.
The opening Prelude is marked unusually for the straight quavers to be 'swung' as if triplets. I say unusually because it tends to be something that isn't often found in classical books. Still, whatever the reasoning, this Marciale move­ment is full of block chords topped by a swiftly moving melody line that is far from easy to play! Other difficult portions include some chords to be interspersed with etouffe chords, which at 126-crotchets-a-minute takes some doing. It soon reaches a resound­ing climax and rushes headlong via an accelerando to a triplet run of quavers and a surprisingly quiet final chord. Song with Variation is marked Tranquillo for the actual song, which is in triple time and very folk-like in style, followed by an Impetuoso variation beginning in the tonic major that goes down various paths before it resolves to a resounding coda and a forte strum down an altered E minor chord.
The final movement is a dance marked Vivo Con Vigore that, at 208-beats-a-minute, certainly takes no prisoners. It has a rather unusual mix of time signatures for its main theme that for me at least sounds a little frenetic and its odd stagger doesn't quite work as well as I think the composer intended but it moves along swiftly enough and is pleasant nonetheless.
So in summation this set, which is of advanced difficulty, for me at least is better in the first two sec­tions than the final one, which lets the set down just a little. Nevertheless it contains some fine music that sounds, to my ears only vaguely English; not that that is of primary importance and any lovers of this man's pieces will find much to enjoy here as always.
(Chris Dumigan)

write to order the book

oleg.kiselev@list.ru

THE BIRCH-TREE IN THE FIELD
for solo guitar
by Oleg Kiselev Editions MP1.
40 pp.
These ten Russian folk songs are each given two separate presentations, first comes the melodic line with strummed guitar accompani­ment and the words to the song (in Russian only) and then each song is presented as a guitar solo kept in the same key therefore allowing the pos­sibility of аn instrumental break mid-song.
The songs themselves are. for the most part, fairly predictable in their progressive behavior, but have an attractive naively .often heard in tra­ditional folk tunes.
Although the album's sub-title is Young Guitarist's Album', the solo arrangements are technically far In advance of what that particular heading conjures up. the standard of per­formance being around the grades 5-7 mark. Whilst there are many posi­tion indications, there is a complete lack of any fingering advice which in some instances would have been quite helpful and time-saving....
(Steve Marsh)

link to order the books

http://www.productionsdoz.com/en/sheet-music-for-guitar/2-guitars/kiselev-oleg/DZ-904.html

fullresults.cfm-direction=back&mode=pb&deptid=45&classid=134

TEN UNIVERSAL DUETS FOR TWO GUITARS
by Oleg Kiselev
Les Productions d'Oz. 20pp.
This is an unusual and multipurpose volume. Oleg Kiselev presents a selection of ten of the best-know beginners studies by Carcassi, Carulli, Giuliani and Aguado and adds a melodic part for guitar one above each in a higher which sings out effectively above the texture of the accompanying study. Waltz by Carulli employs some harmony in the upper part and the С major arpeggio Study by Giuliani accompanies a melody played in octaves throughout. The upper part Aguado's A minor study adds a simple buss line on the open strings the first time through then switches to a melodic line in the bass on the repeat .The following section fakes the melody In third and its repeat sees a tremolo accompaniment in octaves. Careful articulation of' repeated notes is required in the upper part to Carulli's Etude (A major) and the closing Waltz by Carcassi is more complex with a single line phrase followed by harmonic passages and the melody doubled at the octave. Highly effective and enjoyable to explore throughout'  this versatile material is particularly useful for developing familiarity with  higher notes.
(Linda Kelsall-Barnett)

REPERTOIRE FOR THE BEGINNING GUITARIST
by Oleg Kiselev
Alliance Publications. 27pp plus CD.
The Russian guitarist and compositor presents two sets of ten pieces here, the first title P.S. and the second Ten pieces for Children.
The standard required through begins around grade three level and the whole fingerboard is employed to good effect. Close to the Sea is a haunting arpeggio study, Good night employs sliding diminished chord shapes and Insomnia  is full of disquiet with accidentals. A Scoundrel's Dance is rhythmic and includes an active strummed section: Leaving, don’t look back has a gently nostalgic jazz feel to it. Have a moment's rest from Carcassi is another number played with a swing -at times the fourth finger is required to play a half barre. The pieces for children open accessibly with Before Dinner Mood  a play full waltz where the straightforward opening belies some challenging chords in the second half requiring a strong barre technique. Think up the name and Russian Waltz include effective passages of sliding chords-a strong left hand is a prerequisite for the stretches. Desert  Blues  is  fun  to  play  and  Merry  Miller and Robin Hood each have a modal feel. Flying of butterflies in love a sensitive waltz and the ebullient jazz study Hurrah a Vocation are both highly effective. More  fingering  would be helpful throughout for the less experienced player. Judging the level here is difficult as the pieces frequently move from being easily accessible into the realms of technique around six taking them out of reach of most children. However, there is some attractive music here for those prepared to take the challenge.
(Linda Kelsall-Barnett)

links to order the books

http://www.productionsdoz.com/en/sheet-music-for-guitar/solo-guitar/kiselev-oleg/DZ-894.html

http://www.productionsdoz.com/en/sheet-music-for-guitar/solo-guitar/kiselev-oleg/DZ-895.html

http://www.productionsdoz.com/en/sheet-music-for-guitar/solo-guitar/kiselev-oleg/DZ-896.html

GUITARISTS FIRST STEPS
Volume One
by Oleg Kiselev  Les Productions D'Oz.
7pp
Well produced, clearly set out and easy to read, this volume of ten short pieces for early stage players is full of imaginative and character full ideas A playing level of around grade one is sufficient for the first few pieces - Folk Style Piece and Homeless Child's Song are simple melodies on the treble strings in first position with open basses and An Old Organ Grinder requires two note chords, sometimes taking notes in higher positions to maintain an open E.   Russian Tune has a passage in sixths, and the attractively lilting Little Herdboy makes use of simple arpeggiated techniques, all in first position apart from an excursion to the twelfth fret for harmonics. Prelude of the Rain develops p, i, m repeated figures and is more ambitious in its use of the fingerboard; the level required here is closer to grade three, and the following Gallant Dance also requires good left hand development in certain stretches my favorite piece here, A Dream on a Train uses some clichéd melodic ideas but could be very popular with young players who enjoy jazzy rhythms. After this Forgotten Harpsichord seems a bit tame, although it has a nicely phrased, if unoriginal, melodic line produces an attractive texture with birdcall-like fragments. Useful material, ideal for younger ideal for younger fingerboard  players. 
(Linda Kelsall-Barnett)

GUITARISTS FIRST STEPS
Volume Two
by Oleg Kiselev  Les Productions D'Oz.
15pp
Kiselev continues this series of volumes with increasingly descriptive titles for these ten longer and more technically demanding pieces. Each between one and two pages in length, the pieces require a playing  level around the grade three mark with a wide range of musical ideas The Land  of the Cold Lakes is modal  in  feel  and  maintains  an even  quaver  rhythm  throughout, with the theme stated effectively in natural harmonics at the close Dawn in the Mountains is highly effective with a songlike melody line harmonized in the middle section with major and minor seventh chords; The Circus has Gone is in a similar vein, but Russian Princess in the Captivity of Baty-Khan (great title) is contrasting and lends itself to delicate playing of its melancholy phrases. Other pieces which stand out here are the evocative Spring Stream p, i, m repeated and The King's Armour Bearer, which has a stately feel and a middle section with short effective bass runs. 'Wrong' notes characterize the humorous Dancing Master and Hippopotamus. Some useful and attractive material here, notable for its accessible melodic lines could prove popular  with  many students up to grade five level.
(Linda Kelsall-Barnett)

GUITARISTS FIRST STEPS
Volume Three
by Oleg Kiselev Les Productions D'Oz.
20pp
This third set of ten pieces require a level around grades three to six, exploring a variety of  keys and musical textures. A Couple under a Wet Umbrella, is effective (if predictable) in its melody line with repeated quavers, Sea Etude is useful stamina-building pima study and On the Swings requires smooth cantabile lines. I can't imagine any of my students inclining to play the piece titled Smell of Newly Baked Bread, and it Fails to inspire musically also  I enjoyed the Blooming AppleOrchard (another title-challenged piece) in F major - this has an attractive melodic shape with major seventh harmonies with challenges up fingerboard Roman Legions Marching requires parallel fourths produced with the first or fourth finger across  the first two strings the opening  section is  quite  arresting but I felt the piece was overly repetitive. Leaving Prom of June21, 1941 has a subdued melody with some complex harmonic requirements including chords containing octaves moving in parallel. Dreamy Waltz requires good sustain and legato in the melody Returning, with its “pop style” lilting rhythms and clichés descending bass lines moves from an opening in D minor through F major to a much brighter С major. The middle section is quite challenging but this could prove an effective choice for some young players. The final piece,  By the Unknown Warrior's Grave, is reflective and requires good balance between the melody (moving  around   the fingerboard mostly on the first string) and its punctuating repeated chords. Overall, clearly set out and well presented, mostly useful intermediate material.
(Linda Kelsall-Barnett)

link to order the book

http://www.editions-delatour.com/panier.php?no_article=DLT1341&ajout=vrai

THE SEASONS
by Oleg Kiselev Editions  Delatour.
37pp + CD
Here are four suites of four pieces each by this talented composer player whose music it has often been my pleasure to see, play and review.
Each of the movements within each suite has been given a descriptive title to help the player along. Autumnal Suite begins with a Prelude set in tremolo style before turning into a scherzando of  considerable speed and needing much dexterity. A slightly jazz-influenced Sentimental Walk is followed by Rain Beyond The Window, the suite's slow movement,  followed by Autumn Leaf -Fall written in a swingy triplet rhythm.
Winter Suite has a reasonably easy Snow-Storm consisting of a bass melody against friendly chords situated above.
The Snowflakes Waltz that follows is again very jazz influenced with its heavy reliance on altered chords,
lots of ninths, etc. The almost Django-influenced   mood continues with the enigmatically titled The Solitude on. Two, again full of strings of chords replete with harmonies tinged with jazz.
I don't intend to mention every one of the 16 pieces but suffice It to say that the music is. very worth  while and interesting throughout but it is definitely not very easy, unlike some of this composer's other music; so beware if you think these are going to be in the same league.....
(Chris Dumigan)

link to order the book

http://goo.gl/jsgeX

GREETINGS FROM RUSSIA:
10 pieces by Oleg Kiselev Editions Marc Reift. 16pp (Including a CD of the entire contents)
I have seen many fine volumes now by this Russian-born guitarist / composer, many of which are for children, whether to play or to listen to. It is obviously a subject dear to his heart.
This latest offering (from a Swiss publishing house I have not come across) has ten short pieces of intermediate difficulty aimed at the older player, although the titles are often imaginative and hint at a fairy tale or an underlying story line.
It opens with Mountain Brook, which is harder to play than it might first appear; consisting as it does of constantly undulating quavers; first by themselves but later combined with chords placed on the offbeat; some strummed chords bring it to an effective close. Northern Wind beings tranquillo with quavers rocking gently under­neath a melancholy tune, before a risoluto section heralds in some semiquavers and things get trickier from here on in. A return to the first section brings us to the coda replete with natura and artificial harmonics. The Seagulls Above The Sea is a spirited piece largely in waltz rhythm, whilst Last Drops of a Rain has a two-voiced structure, with the top part mostly in quavers against a crotchet bass line. Fairy Tale by the Fireplace begins quietly before the tale gets a little frightening, bringing violently strummed chords into play, leading to a resumption of the opening idea and a closing section with a slightly undefined tonality.
There are too many pieces to mention all by name but by now you can imagine the flavour of the music. It is friendly but imaginative throughout, with little that could be classed as hackneyed or obvious. The titles themselves might not be to everyone's taste but they do not in any way detract from what is essentially a fine little book of some very nice pieces ideal for the moderately advanced player.
(Chris Dumigan)

link to order the book

http://www.clearnote.net/cgi/search.php?zoom_query=soloworks
 

COSTUME DANCES:
A suite of guitar solos for young performers by Oleg Kiselev Clear Note Publications.   4pp.
Here   is   another fine little   suite aimed at the young by this prolific composer. Each of the four pieces is a one-pager and the whole thing begins with Dance of the Little Princess;  a happy waltz piece mostly in two voices. It is quite easy except for two bars where a three-note chord is required with a fair stretch  needed  to  make  it work successfully. Dance of the Rabbit follows marked 'soave'. Again, here the young performer has to have a fair to moderate technique to be able to cope with it, particularly in the middle where the music gets too hard to be really called easy. Dance of The Snowflake is another waltz with again a few wider stretches to make it best playable by a slightly larger hand, whilst the final Dance of the Fidgety Boy is a delightful 2/4 beginning in a two voiced A minor before turning into the major key for the middle part. A pizzicato idea brings back the minor key for a final return to the opening idea and a swift coda where some gentle dissonance adds a little humorous touch to finish.
All in all this little book proves to be another winner from this Russian composer; not for the very young with small hands but more for the older child perhaps with a couple or so years playing behind them.
(Chris Dumigan)

link to order the book

  http://www.angelfire.com/sk/syukhtun/others.html#oleg
 

TOWARDS DANGERS AND ADVENTURES
Ten pieces for children:
by Oleg Kiselev
Syukhtun Editions. 10рр (includes a CD).
Yet another little volume aimed at children by this fine Russian composer. He has written over 250 works for the guitar in varying styles including jazz, latin and romantic to name but three. I would be extremely interested in seeing some of his more advanced works in future as he is so clever at writing for the children; not an easy task for many composers.
These are essentially miniatures with evocative titles such as: The Dream Comes, a tricky little chordally based piece which needs careful handling to make it not sound too disjointed, or Far Travelling Wind. where a 'deciso', darkly-voiced opening theme leads into some four note chords higher up the fingerboard before returning to the opening idea and a violent strum along the 12th harmonics to finish. Good Mood reminded me more than a little of Tchaikovsky in its harmonics whilst Gloomy Morning/ sounds exactly as its title  suggests. Brave Man's Song is a decisive 2/4 in A minor with plenty of chord work: Happy End Story is a giocoso bouncy little piece with some decidedly awkward bits towards the end that would seem to need a more advanced player than some of the other pieces.
The remainder of the pieces, too numerous to mention, are every bit as playable and imaginative and interesting for the younger ones, although again maybe the children arc listeners rather than participants in the playing: nonetheless, another fine book from Oleg Kiselev.
(Chris Dumigan)

write to order the book
  Oleg.Kiselev@list.ru

samples in pdf:

The Sad Queen
Legato-etude
Birthday Party without Visitors

STRAWBERRY WITH CREAM
by Oleg Kiselev

Music Production International. 48 pp (includes CD of entire contents).
This is a Russian publishing house, so I have absolutely no idea how you might get hold of this, should you want to.
It consists of 28 little pieces of considerable charm and variety written by a composer with charm and a handy ear for the unusual yet melodic. The entire book is in Russian except for the translated titles but that is of little consequence; it is the music that matters and it is wonderful. It is all not too difficult and is approachable and immediately involving, yet not full of clichés.
Firstly you have the Children’s Suite, a four-movement work; and then an Autumnal Suite again consisting of four items, both works of only moderate difficulty yet full of interesting music. There follows 10 Easy pieces, which are still not too easy; moderate is a fairer  term, as you do have to have a certain maturity of technique to make a proper job of them. There is much to enjoy here, as in the final 10 Etudes, that although are lovely pieces of music, yet still remaining technique-based.
I haven’t come across this composer before but on this one volume alone I hope I see more. I do hope that an enterprising music Company has arranged to get this imported
into the UK, as it would be a great shame if such original and entertaining music as this remained unattainable to the majority of our reader-ship. (Chris Dumigan)

link to order the book

http://goo.gl/DRZMl
 

TEN MINIATURES FOR GUITAR
by Oleg Kiselev

Edizioni Musicali Eufonia
18 pp + CD of entire contents.
No sooner do I extol a composer’s virtues than another work of his comes my way. This composition is published by an Italian house and therefore unlike its predecessor, I can read a little about the composer. Having said in my previous review that I had never heard of him, I feel ashamed to admit that perhaps I ought to have done, as the preface mentions his 250 works written and 7 CDs recorded and his music published in Poland, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Germany and the USA! It is my loss then as this book is every bit as good as the other one.
The miniatures in question are imaginatively written but the only downside to the  publication is the fact that the titles that only appear in English are, let us say, occasionally unfortunately translated, or at any rate, lose something in the very translation. So for instance the opening piece, which is by turns sad and then suddenly angry, is called Forty Years Old Woman and Mirror. I gather therefore that it tells the story of a woman  bemoaning the passage of time and seeing its results on her face in the mirror, as its opening is gentle and in three main voices before it explodes into violent rasgueados that in turn eventually die down into a recapitulation of the opening ideas slightly varied. Following on from that is Go Mushrooms which is an amusingly written and almost comically styled piece of writing but as to the title? I have no idea! An Antique Coin has a renaissance-like dance feel to it, whilst Riding A Little Donkey, Eating an Orange again gives one an almost pictorially comic idea of what is going on, as relying on its constant jogging rhythm it aptly conveys its title. Under Weight of Alarm and Troubles is impetuous and full of angst-ridden ideas, whilst In the Warm Water of the Aegaean Sea is tranquil and full of inviting harmonies. Then comes I’m Not Afraid of Your, which either means you fill in the missing blank with your own word (doubtful!) or the final letter R should not be there. At any rate the music is in turns dark and mysterious and then suddenly happy. In the Rays of the Setting Sun, A Capricious Girl and Two Kinds of Ice Cream complete what for me is one of my finds of the year!
This is the second excellent piece of writing I have seen by this composer and yet his music never comes across as dull or hackneyed or clichéd. It is exceedingly interesting, full of originality and ideal teaching material; although again, not for the beginner, but rather the player a little more advanced than that. He obviously has a penchant for writing pieces that people will enjoy playing, a great skill. I hope interested players and teachers will give this set a try. (Chris Dumigan)

link to order the book

http://www.copamusic.be/
 

AUTUMNAL SUITE, JAZZ-SUITE, and HAVE A MOMENTS REST FROM CARCASSI (ALBUM OF CHILDREN'S JAZZ PIECES)
(three separate publications) for guitar by Oleg Kiselev
Imprimus edition. 8 pages, 12 pages and 20 pages respectively.
These three albums, all jazz-inspired, show Oleg Kiselev to be a composer of style and inventiveness - his inventiveness not just in composing the music but spilling over into the individual titles of the movements contained in these editions: to quote a few: Glass of juice with ice in a hot afternoon, Rain beyond the window. A cowboy who has managed to save his scalp and the wonderful Don't shoot the guitarist! He plays as he can.
The two suites are enjoyable and make for a pleasant jaunt into the 'swing' style of playing, but it is in Kiselev's 'Carcassi' album where he really shines and this is easily the best of the three (although the child in question would have to be a grade 8 player). Don't let the daft title put you off. These 'children's' pieces are skillfully written and imaginative enough to be included in any formal recital.
If you are after an excursion into the jazz field then this is a good a choice as any. The presentation of all three of these albums is not exactly top quality but readable enough.
(Steve Marsh) 

Oleg Kiselev
HAVE A MOMENT'S REST FROM CARCASSI (Album of children's jazz pieces)
TEN MUSICAL ETUDES, Vol. I and II
VP Music Media, Roma, 2002, 19,15, and 15 pages respectively.
A fine addition to the available material for the young guitarist, these works will add much enjoyment to the pedagogic aspect of the up and coming musician. Each etude concentrates on a specific technique from arpeggios, to chordal rhythms, syncopations, tremolo and more. The compositions are well thought out, concise and highly musical. I particularly was impressed with the jazz studies espoused by Kiselev. Nicely conceived with cool harmonies and a nice swing jazz feel. This is an area of study much overlooked by the classical guitar  pedagogues. Not overly difficult, these works are a natural selection for students in perhaps their 2^nd| or 3^rd year of playing.
 

TEN MUSICAL ETUDES
by Oleg Kiselev
VP Music Media. Two volumes (32 pages each).
Vincenzo Pocci's Rome-based publishing house is well connected in the Russian  Federation, this Chelyabinsk  guitarist/composer being one of several such names on the roster. Drawing on styles ranging from Villa-Lobos to Bossa Nova,  this  listener-friendly set of short concert studies is clearly the work of a widely-read musician of the present  generation (Kiselev  was born in 1964). Particularly attractive is the lyrical fifth piece, whose subtitle There you are absent has possibly lost some of its poignancy in translation. Less successful is the Rock'n'Roll study that opens the second volume. This kind of fun pastiche can work well with a hefty shot of Rak-style excess, but other­wise tends to sound rather tame,
On the technical front, Kiselev's writing is no pushover, some ten­don-ripping left-hand stretches being required in order to sustain all the notes. This said, there's nothing here that can't be done, my review copy arriving with what appears to be a one-off CD of all ten pieces, ably performed by the com­poser.
Well written and lightweight in spirit, but only for the suitably equipped,
(Paul Fowles)

IN RUSSIA IMPARANO COSI
Oleg Kiselev
Music for guitar (part 7)
chitarra
ed. Kiselev (Russia) pagg. 51
Questo lavoro è presentato in un'edizione artigianale realizzata dallo stesso autore coadiuvato da una persona che ha curato l’inserimento in computer della musica e da un'altra per la veste grafica. Oleg Kiselev, 38 anni, è un autore prolifico e ha al suo attivo oltre 200 composizioni. All'interno di questa pubblicazione, più che dignitosa, ci sono brani destinati ai ragazzi: dieci studi e tre suite, tutti composti nel 2000. La scrittura è quella tradizionale tonale e non vi sono grosse novità, ma il lavoro è dedicato ai principianti e sotto il profilo didattico si può considerare un buon prodotto.
Per procurarsi lo spartito e ascoltare alcuni estratti in formato Mp3 eseguiti direttamente dall'autore, si può consultare il sito Internet www.seicorde / Pocci.