Search - Richard Wetz, Roland Bader, Krakow Philharmonic Orchestra :: Wetz: Symphony No. 1

Wonderful piece, Brucknerlike but no clone

06/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"4 beautiful movements (scherzo in second place)... the first movement is a substantial sonata-form (the structure somewhat unusual, even ambiguous) with moments of exuberance and a surprise at the end... the second movement's main theme is something of a quote from Bruckner 7's scherzo, but the movements aren't similar... the third movement is lyrical, A-flat major with deep and depressing undertones... the finale (shooting out of the blue as Bruckner almost never did, by the way) is dramatic, striking, altogether (to my mind) a masterpiece; a masterpiece of the 2nd order, yes, but this is truly a wonderful work to know, and I can only hope that more works by this composer follow. (It's been a few years now... there are 3 symphonies, the 3rd of which was once on LP, 2 string quartets, a Kleist overture, a sonata for solo violin, and presumably at least 33 other works besides, the 3rd symphony being iirc op. 40!) - Eric Schissel"

One of the most important "discoveries" of the decade.

11/11/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like Bruckner's symphonies and the music of Mahler, this work will be a most pleasant and musical surprise. You will find a hour of huge, dramatic sound, and will be praying for the cpo label to give us some more of this forgotten genius' music."