Opus

Opus was formed in 1973 and the original line-up included the founder and organist Miodrag Okrugic, guitar player Miodrag Kostic and bassist Dusan Cucuz (later in Tako), but soon they split. They were named after Okrugic's composition "Opus No. 1" which he scored during his tenure with the band Yu Grupa. Okrugic re-formed Opus in 1975 with bassist Slobodan Orlic, drummer Ljubomir Jerkovic and singer Dusan Prelevic (ex Korni Grupa/Kornelyans) and soon they recorded their debut "Opus 1", done in the symphonic rock style. It failed to draw attention of the public and the band split again. In various incarnations guitar players in this period were Ljubo Sedlar, Zoran Dasic and Vidoja Bozinovic. The final line-up from 1977 re-formation included Okrugic, Orlic, drummer Zelimir Vasic and guitar player Milan Matic, but after fruitless attempts they finally disbanded for good. In addition to their only LP album, they recorded three singles from 1974-77.

At The Mercy Of Manannán" is the third album from Irish progressive rock group, M-Opus, and their finest, most incisive yet. As with all their albums, this hypothetically 'comes from' a year in rock history, 1972, with the sound and production that implies. From lush, symphonic rock, to blazing, virtuosic instrumentals and lavish melodic tracks, the album aims to be nothing less than a 'new classic'. Composed by Film/TV composer Jonathan Casey (David Cross Band) and a new member of the band, guitar virtuoso PJ O'Connell.

Opus is a pop-rock group from Graz, Austria. Formed in 1973, the group remains active today. The band is chiefly known for its 1985 single release, "Live Is Life", which reached the Top 10 in several European countries. Live Is Life is the first live album by Austrian pop rock band Opus. It was released in 1984 on the OK Musica label. It includes the song "Live Is Life", which was a worldwide hit. The album peaked at #1 in Austria. The track is popular as a sing-along song for crowds at sports events in Europe.

Russian Contemporary composer Vladimir Ivanovich Martynov [born 1946], has written at least three string quartets, or works named as such. I believe his early music was in a modern, confrontational style, but after having spent time in a Spiritual Academy to study traditional Russian Orthodox chant, his works seem to have taken on a more spiritual nature. I regard Der Abschied (The Farewell) composed in 2006, as an essentially spiritually inspired work. Apparently it quotes from some of Mahler’s lieder, but as I never got past his symphonies, I don’t go there, so I can’t comment on that.

An album which fuses the melodic sensibilities common of the RPI movement with a wild lust for invention, and variously tempers its rage with gentle beds of flute, piano and strings and focuses it into dissonant nightmare-scapes. The result is an accomplished record which oscillates between the avant-garde and almost pastoral, traditional folk songwriting and hardly approaches rock - if the drum track was removed only trace elements of rock would remain. Although this record is justifiably listed under avant-garde - and is bookended by somewhat freeform and contrary excursions - there's enough neo-classical and lushly folky frills to please the symphonic fans too.