The debut disc by the Odeum Guitar Duo entitled, " Concert Hall Classics" , was recently given the honor by the magazine, Acoustic Guitar, as being one of the ten best independently produced guitar CDs for the year 2000. They are featured in the Stage and Studio section of the June, 2000 issue. Here are some quotes from the senior editor for Acoustic guitar, Simone Solondz, who wrote the article:
"The material on the CD ( Concert Hall Classics ) -- pieces
by Torelli, Beethoven, Rimsky - Korsakov, Schumann, Chopin, Vivaldi,
and Boccherini-- is beautifully played.....warm, balanced sound.....Wetzel
and Benedetti's talents are complementary in more ways than one.
Their musical tastes and playing styles are a perfect match, and
their individual interests and talents also complement each other
beautifully....."
-Simone Solondz, senior editor, Acoustic Guitar
"...skill, refinement...the guitarists convey the lilting rhythms and
luxuriant chromaticism with unmistakable elan."
Valerie Scher, San Diego Union-Tribune
Composed of two experienced classical guitarists , Robert Wetzel and Fred Benedetti, the Odeum Guitar Duo was formed in 1991 in San Diego, California through their mutual love both for the classical guitar as well as for the beautiful innovative music that can be performed on two guitars. Wetzel, a former long time pupil of the guitar dynasty Romeros family, and Benedetti, who studied with Andres Segovia, have combined their talents and diverse musical backgrounds and experience to form a unique world-class guitar duo.
Robert Wetzel performs on guitars built by Miguel Rodriguez and the Australian maker, Simon Marty. His strings are manufactured by D'Addario and Savarez . Fred Benedetti plays guitars built by Miguel Rodriguez, Paul Jacobsen, and Simon Marty. He prefers strings by D'Addario, Augustine and Savarez.