Wurtemberg - Rock Fantasia Opus 9

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Musea
Catalog Number: FGBG 4401.AR
Format: CD
Total Time: 37:49:00

Although recorded in 1980, this all instrumental album still stands the test of time not in the least because of the strong classical content of the music. To even enhance that classical feel two bonus tracks have been added, one based on a piece by Bach, the other by Beethoven. Mainly based on tenor-bass and soprano psaltery, it's exactly this "old" instrument, in combination with guitar, lyre, dulcimer, metallophone and flute, that makes for some splendid music. These instruments having been made by the main composer Alain Carbonaire create a mix between medieval sounds and the electric world of today. Having been awarded high recommendation in the Symphonic Rock category during the Grand Prix Du Disque in Montreux in 1981, needless to say this kind of music didn't do very well from a commercial perspective. Nevertheless 15,000 vinyl albums were sold, most of them in Japan. A second album Rock Fantasia Opus 10 was never released until Musea showed an interest to re-issue it on CD (FGBG 4422.AR).

The music on Rock Fantasia Opus 9 is pleasant, joyful, melodic and romantic with nice parts on acoustic guitar, piano and flute augmented with the already mentioned "older" instruments. The final track "Rockopus 1" kind of offers a mix between Ekseption and early Camel also introducing a fair bit of Hammond and wonderful piano, the latter getting close to The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway era Genesis. Fans of bands such as Gryphon or Minimum Vital can buy this album with eyes closed.

Tracklisting:
Rockopus 7 (5:39) / Sous-Titre (2:10) / Berceuse Gratin?e - Fa?tes Le Mur (2:24) / Pr?fixe Et Danse - Fa?tes L:Humour (3:32) / Allemandes (2:21) / Concerto Pour Un Minot (5:37) / Invitation - Vous Avez Bien Trois Minutes ? (3:04) / Rockopus I (7:13) / J?sus Que Ma Joie Demeure - Cantate 147 (3:54) / Neuvième Symphonie - Extrait (1:51)

Musicians:
Alain Carbonaire - keyboards, guitar, lyre, tenor-bass psaltery
Bernard Ma?tre - keyboards, dulcimer, metallophone
Michel Richard - guitar, soprano psaltery
Jean-Pierre Garbin - drums
Alain Demeusy - bass
Jean-Marie Hausser - drums
Gilles Michault-Bonnet - flute, saxophone

Discography:
Rock Fantasia Opus 9 (2002)
Rock Fantasia Opus 10 (rec. mid-80s, rel. 2002)

Genre: Various Genres

Origin FR

Added: October 13th 2002
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website:
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Language: english