OPUS 1

A contemporary Chamber/Symphonic Rock group from Budapest, Hungary, formed in mid-80's by multi-instrumentalists Peter Pejtsik, Gabor Egervari and Vedres Csaba.They claimed to have been influenced by both Classical Music and composers like Bartok, Bach and Beethoven, as well as Progressive Rock legends like Emerson, Lake & Palmer and King Crimson.Their first cassette saw the light in 1989 as ''Opus 1'', containing three live recordings with Judit Andrejszki on vocals and Zsolt Major Nagy on trumpet, and re-released in CD format by Periferic Records in 2009.

The first instrumental 27-min. epic ''Opus I'' comes from an 1988 live performance in the Szkene Theatre of Budapest, featuring Gabor Egervari on flutes, Peter Pejtsik on cello and Vedres Csaba on piano.This is one of the closest works to Symphonic Rock by After Crying, despite the total absence of keyboards, guitars or a rhythm section.A magnificent performance by the trio with dominant piano lines, elegant melodic flutes and complex cello parts, with also E.L.P. tunes towards the end and a delivery which ranges from smooth and melodic to grandiose and haunting.Unique playing and unique atmosphere to say the least.The second 23-min. long composition comes from a live in May 1989 in Porto and shows a different approach by the same trio.Here the music becomes highly atonal and almost of academic nature with many long solos by the members, especially Pejtsik's dramatic but dissonant string sections, and the result is much closer to Chamber Music than Progressive Rock.Still there are some fine interplays between the cello, flutes and piano after the middle to keep the listener's attention.The third short track ''Opus III'' was caught in a live performance in January 1989 at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest and opens with a KING CRIMSON-esque manic vibe, followed by haunting choirs and eventually turning into a mellow piece of dramatic Classical Music with cello and flutes on the forefront.

After Crying's music back in late-80's was definitely unique and innovative with an attitude closer to Classical ensembles than a rock band.''Opus I'' comes recommended to all fans of quasi-Classical/Symphonic Rock with a mood to meet something different within the genre.Recommended.