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Keith Jarrett: The Köln Concert

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: ECM Records
Released: 1975
Time:
65:33
Category: Jazz
Producer(s): Manferd Eicher
Rating: *********. (9/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.keithjarrett.org
Appears with: Jan Garbarek
Purchase date: 1997.09.13
Price in €: 19,99



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Köln, January 24, 1975, Part 1 (K.Jarrett) - 26:15
[2] Köln, January 24, 1975, Part 2a (K.Jarrett) - 15:00
[3] Köln, January 24, 1975, Part 2b (K.Jarrett) - 19:19
[4] Köln, January 24, 1975, Part 2c (K.Jarrett) - 6:59

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Keith Jarrett - Piano

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


Recorded live at the Opera in KÖLN, Germany January 24, 1975.



Preface to the Köln Concert

The only written matter besides the music is a Preface written by Jarrett, which I have reproduced here. Note that it is covered by the copyright, but is quoted without permission. I am hoping that making it available will stimulate sales, which I am sure neither the publishers nor Keith Jarrett would object to.

Ever since the release of THE KÖLN CONCERT recording on ECM in 1975, I have been asked by pianists, students, musicologists, and others, to publish this music so others can play it. I have steadfastly resisted for at least two reasons: (1) this was a totally improvised concert on a certain night and should go as quickly as it comes; and (2) it is almost impossible to transcribe many sections as they are on record.

However, since this improvisation already exists in one permanent format (recording), and the transcription only represents the music (although it is incredibly close sometimes), I finally decided to publish this authorized edition.

By authorized I mean that I have personally overseen every step (and almost every note) of the final transcription process. While this edition is as close as possible to the music on the record, there are many places where notes are correct, but time is not, because on the recording I am playing completely out of metronomic time. There are also places where we had to choose between alternate inaccuracies. Also, we decided that notation would actually work against accuracy, since none of the notation methods of which we were aware were correct for much of the piece. It would almost need notation on every note to be accurate. For instance, on pages 50 and 51 of Part IIa there is no way to obtain, on paper, the real rhythmic sense of this section. There is much more going on on the recording, but this ``going on'' does not always translate into notes on paper. Many notes are inferred by the rhythmic sense; others depend on the harmonics or attack of the previous note (or notes). So writing down all the notes would give more of a false view of the sense of this section than selecting some notes. And yet, even this selection cannot reveal the real sense of this section as an improvisation, where listening is what determines the music's strength.

So - we are looking at, let us say, a picture of an improvisation (sort of like a print of a painting). You cannot see the depth in it, only the surface.

As a result of all this, I am recommending that every pianist who intends to play THE KÖLN CONCERT use the recording as the final-word reference.

Good luck!
Keith Jarrett



Many critics consider this to be Keith Jarrett's most rewarding solo recording although Solo Concerts from the previous year is on the same level. Originally released as a two-LP set, this music is best suited for CD because, while the first 26-minute improvisation fits on one LP side, the second of the two solos (which totals 41 minutes) was programmed over the remaining LP, with side four being only seven minutes long. Logistics aside, the music is quite brilliant with Jarrett (who was improvising freely without any prior planning) developing the most interesting and occasionally startling ideas. The strong fresh melodies and his bluesy feel make this a very enjoyable outing.

Scott Yanow, All-Music Guide
 

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