We can still learn from Chekhov

Chekhov’s short stories remain relevant and potent for more than 100 years. As 150th anniversary celebrations continue, Interactive Media is releasing second CD with Chekhov’s short stories.

Celebrations marking 150^th birthday of the most universally acclaimed playwright are gathering pace around the world.  The theatres from Mexico City to Bejing are preparing lavish and dedicated festivals for one of their most loved playwrights. Chekhov is known for his all time classics The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard. The plays have earned Chekhov international fame and remained relevant and potent for more than 100 years.

Chekhov also wrote many short stories and this is where he pioneered “stream of consciousness” technique, later adopted by many other writers. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited Chekhov's hometown of Taganrog in southern Russia, where he described Chekhov’s short stories as "immortal."

Max Bollinger, a Russian-born British actor described his experience of reading Chekhov stories as “beautiful gleaming stream of light” after releasing his first audio CD of Short Stories by Anton Chekhov earlier this year.

The 64-minute CD features six short stories by the master of Russian drama: A Tragic Actor; In A Strange Land; Oh! The Public; The Looking Glass; Her Husband; and Overdoing It.  

“These six unabridged stories in the faithful Constance Garnett translation are presented with fine flourish by the Russian-born narrator. The poignant, everyday dramas of Imperial Russia are here, from jolting carriages across boundless taiga, to a tragic actor and a French tutor insulted by his boastful employer”, wrote Rachel Redford of The Guardian.

Interactive Media’s web site www.anton-chekhov.com reveals plans to release the second CD featuring 5 new stories: Talent; Anyuta; The Helpmate; Ivan Matveyitch; Polinka;  

The second CD is promised to be similar in style and duration to the first audio book. The music in this new 65-min CD release will be based on original compositions by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, a distinguished Russian composer of the Romantic era.  “Short Stories by Anton Chekhov Bk.2: Talent and other stories” will be available from UK high street retailers and online book sellers in February 2010.

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