MUSIC REVIEW : Parkening Offers Simple Gifts

Perhaps it was fitting that guitarist Christopher Parkening closed his recital at Ambassador Auditorium Thursday night with a satisfying arrangement of the Shaker hymn “ ‘Tis a Gift to Be Simple.”

Although the 12 short works, two suites and eight collaborations with guitarist David Brandon aptly demonstrated Parkening’s non-aggressive style, mastery over a wide range of effects and a prodigiously controlled pianissimo and sul ponticello, there were few enterprising efforts. Reading throughout from scores placed on a nearby music stand, Parkening opted for works that were either very familiar or were simple enough not to require extra rehearsing.

Moreno’s “Suite Castillos de Espana” proceeded seamlessly, driving heroically to the final “Turegano,” while Sor’s Variations on a Theme by Mozart showcased an impressive array of ornate passages. But a lack of concentration and focus marred the performance of a transcription of a suite from Praetorius’ “Terpsichore.”

Other works such as Tarrega’s tremolo study “Recuerdos de la Alhambra,” two preludes and an etude by Villa-Lobos and two short transcriptions of Albeniz piano pieces were all mastered with the right amount of control and expression. Three selections from Segovia’s arrangements of the Bach Cello Suites were less convincing and at times even found Parkening struggling with accuracy.

Of the works performed with Brandon, the Prelude No. 4 from Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s “Les Guitares Bien Temperees” (1962) was the evening’s best example of expressive, lush Romanticism, albeit performed routinely. An excessively easy transcription of Two Renaissance Dances From the “Fitzwilliam Virginal Book” also provided moments of interest.