Thematic transitions are smoother and the overall form of the work is less episodic, yet the same sense of tragedy and consolation are present. As in Bruckner, the brass dominates. The finale opens with a motto played by four solo horns. The strings enter and a clarinet picks up the theme, but the horns, never absent for long, return and reinforce the clarinet, finally overwhelming it. This unifies the work and enhances the drama.
Further unity comes from the rhythmic figures which occur throughout the work.
There is an admirable tension and forward drive. Of course, some of the credit for this goes to Albert and the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz. The performance is excellent, the horns well under control even in some quite difficult passages in the last movement. It is a purely abstract piece of music that anticipates the sound world of the Symphony No. 2. Wetz was not a prolific composer, but, from the evidence of this recording, he was capable of producing music of great depth and beauty.