The Koln

There can be no doubt that Keith Jarrett is a massively gifted virtuoso pianist, one who is impossible to categorise. His improvised concerts are legendary, each totally unique and a masterpiece in its own right, and depending for its outcome on many factors - the instrument, the location, the audience, the climate and much more. Sometimes Jarrett veers off into classical and baroque themes, sometimes a touch of jazz and dixie influence, maybe some bluesy notes, often a country feel - wherever the mind of Jarrett wanders. I found it telling that another of my heroes, virtuoso guitarist Antonio Forcione, speaks with reverence about how he managed to see Jarrett play and sat spellbound for the entire evening - this being a moment in history, one not to be repeated: one man bonded totally with his instrument. For the Köln concert, the fact that he did not get his first choice of piano influenced his decision to vamp around the middle section of the keyboard, while weaving into the structure delicate melodies and beguiling harmonies. With the atmosphere you gain the thrill of being present within the recording, at the cost of slightly flawed sound quality and occasional blips in the playing. It's worth it: the fact that this is regarded as a seminal work in the history of jazz and live instrumentation says all you need to know. If you have not heard this work, do so - not a matter of like or dislike, it is one of those moments where the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

Simply sublime music, purchased on CD and to be fair the resolution could be better. That does not detract from the magnificent performance

This CD was brought to my attention when listening to "Desert Island Disks" on BBC radio. The back story raised my interest and is well worth the research. All I can say is that given the nature of the instrument Kieth Jarrett gives a wonderful performance that deserves some concentrated listenning. Thank you.

Wonderful to have this famous recording on vinyl

Bought as recommended by someone on Desert Island Discs and I has listened to Keith Jarrett in the past. Very relaxing and one I play when working on the computer.

Bought this concert after being impressed with a clip heard on Desert Island Discs. At first was disappointed but just grows on me every time I hear it. Unique style sounding slightly improvisational but heartfelt and somewhere between jazz and classic. Piano is the only instrument so it is not orchestral and better for it. Would I buy it again if this got damaged?.... Probably not but would not like to lose it.

Many years ago, early 1980's (?) I was at my Sister's and her hubby was playing this in the background. I was a predominantly 'soul boy' and just didn't 'get it'.15 years later I tried the CD version and 'I got it'. If you like this type of music, this is one of the 'keynote' recordings. Having revived my record deck etc I added the vinyl copy of the recording and it not only does not disappoint but it also has the final track that is missing from my CD version.

Keith Jarrett's 'The Koln Concert' was one of those albums that I have always been aware of, since it was first released back in the mid-1970s. I was put off buying it, because I thought it would be impenetrable Jazz noodling. However, a couple of years ago, the broadcaster Paul Gambaccini did a BBC Radio 4 documentary on the recording in his 'One Night Only' series on historic in-concert recordings, which I found very illuminating, and revived my interest in wanting to hear the album. I decided to purchase the vinyl reissue version, and I am so glad that I did. It's not a 'Jazz' recording per se; in truth, it doesn't fit any tidy genre pigeonhole. It's simply a beguling, wonderfully immersive outpouring of creativity from a supremely gifted musician, at a real peak of his musical powers. In four side-long tracks, the quality of the piano recording is wonderful, and the microphone picks up Jarrett's exclamations of joy at what he's creating. Great Record

Sulla qualità artistica di questo concerto così famoso, c’è poco da aggiungere quindi non mi dilungo sulla capacità di improvvisazione e tecnica da “campionato a se’ “ di Jarrett. Per quanto al vinile, ho riscontrato una buona dinamica, fruscio quasi assente e solo qualche leggero “scrocchio” nella terza parte (prima faccia del secondo LP) ma talmente isolato che ho pensato bene di non fare il reso. Impianto hi-fi di buon livello ma nulla di esoterico (Roksan ampli,’Project Pro piatto, AT VM540ML testina) che restituisce un piano perfettamente equilibrato ed una scena sonora però piuttosto stretta e lievemente sbilanciata sul lato destro (cosa riscontrata anche sulla mia copia CD quindi non dovuta a mal regolazione di anti skate o VTA). Da avere assolutamente in qualsiasi collezione.

Um dos maiores discos da história! Fabuloso!

am 24.1.1975 gebar keith jarrett diese improvisationen, indem er mit der melodie des pausengongs der kölner oper als grundlage der immer weiter ausufernden improvisation begann. kurz ist die daraus resultierende heiterkeit im publikum auch auf der aufnahme zu vernehmen. jarrett entwickelt wunderbare melodien, die sich immer wieder schließende kreise bilden. vollendete klaviermusik voll innerer kraft und schönheit bei der man hören kann, wie sie im kopf des pianisten entwickelt wird. ruhig und doch ekstatisch ist sein spiel, atemberaubend die spannung, die er immer wieder durch innehalten, durch seine unbarmherzige langsamkeit entwickelt. dabei stand dieses konzert von beginn an unter keinem guten stern. der von jarrett ausgesuchte flügel langte nicht rechtzeitig ein, zur verfügung war lediglich ein mäßiger stutzflügel, der noch dazu verstimmt war. jarrett musste von vera brandes, der veranstalterin mühsam überredet werden, überhaupt zu spielen. das konzert wurde dann für interne zwecke mitgeschnitten. später wurde diese aufname von manfred eicher für ECM produziert und von martin wieland gemastert. erfolg ist natürlich nicht zwingend ein qualitätskriterium, aber rd. 3,500.000 verkaufte exemplare einer schallplatte/CD, die improvisierte pianomusik enthält, sprechen schon für sich. "köln concert" ist damit die meistverkaufte jazz-soloplatte und auch die meistverkaufte klavier-soloplatte. jarrett selbst möchte diese aufnahme zwischenzeitig am liebsten einstampfen lassen, hat ihn doch der geburtsvorgang zuerst viel substanz gekostet, dann gab es viel hin- und her über transkriptionen in notenform (jarrett gab schließlich die erlaubnis zur veröffentlichung) und es nervt ihn wohl, immer auf diesen, seinen größten erfolg, angesprochen zu werden. es wäre schade darum. millionen menschen haben wohl schon berauschend schöne momente mit dieser musik erlebt. zb hörte ich diese scheibe einmal im zuge eines segeltörns als die sonne aus dem meer stieg, wind aufkam und der katamaran immer schneller über das spiegelglatte meer glitt - so was vergisst man nie wieder... nun ist es also schon wieder mehr als 35 jahre her, dass diese großartige aufnahme entstanden ist, die vinyl-auflage zum jubiläum hat eine weile auf sich warten lassen. aber jetzt gibt es sie wieder, die legende, die vermutlich schönste und berührendste solo-piano-platte aller zeiten. sie klingt noch durchhörbarer als das original, da ist gute arbeit beim mastering geleistet worden. die angesprochene heiterkeit im publikum ist deutlicher wahrzunehmen, auch jarrett's mitwimmern ist klarer und abgegrenzter zu hören. selten trifft das attribut "must have!" so zu wie hier!

this audio cd got here a day or two quicker and it sounds great! i had heard of this concert a few months ago and am glad i ordered it! thanx!

Great CD , everything went well.