Alfy Betz with the Imaginary Orchestra (Independent Release 1996)

Alfy Betz is a keyboard player/pianist from Utah who has produced 74 minutes of gorgeously melodic, and often symphonic classical progressive. This is primarily a Betz solo project though he is joined by Matt Hepworth on bass, and Craig Hussey and Rich Dixon on guitars. No drummer is credited so I gather the percussion is electronic. This impressed me as most of the percussion sounded quite real (to my ears). The CD consists of two main pieces: Piano Concerto In D Minor, and Symphony In B.

Piano Concerto In D Minor opens with "Allegro Con Fuoco". The opening theme is one of the best on the disc. Soon after the piano takes over and when joined again by the keyboards starts to sound a bit New Agey. I was glad when it finally blended back into the music that opened the piece. "Variations Without A Theme" again opens with piano/keyboard melodies, but this time we are treated to some tasteful guitar soloing. "Rondo" brings Piano Concerto to a close and as soon as it started my wife said it reminded her of Peter Kater or Michael Nyman. I suppose it does venture into that territory, but the pace picks up with stronger percussion and a return to a more symphonic sound.

Symphony In B is definitely the more prog-oriented of the two works on this disc. The first two parts, "Allegro" and "Adante" are symphonic pieces that cover territory from Anthony Phillips renaissance sounds, to strong Genesis influences (Trick/Wind p eriod). The third part, "Blues Scherzo In Four" is a jazzy, almost burlesque sounding tune which I found to be an odd contrast to the opening numbers. However, "Finale" returns to the symphonic realm and is in fact the most intense, and musically complex number on the disc. I would have loved to hear more tunes like this.

In summary, there is no question Alfy Betz has a flair for composing beautiful melodies. This is a disc that should appeal to fans of Jeremy, and Anthony Phillips PP&P series. For more information, contact Alfy Betz at alfybetz@aol.com.

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