Author Archives: Olivier Bruchez

“Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Cembalosonaten Wq.49 Nr.1-6 ‘Württembergische'” to be released on June 30, 2023

A recording of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s Wurttemberg sonatas by Keith Jarrett will be released by ECM in June 2023.

Keith Jarrett’s account of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s Wurttemberg Sonatas is a revelation.

“I’d heard the sonatas played by harpsichordists, and felt there was room for a piano version,” says Jarrett today.

This outstanding recording, made in 1994 and previously unreleased, finds the pianist attuned to the expressive implications of the sonatas in every moment.

The younger Bach’s idiosyncrasies: the gentle playfulness of the music, the fondness for subtle and sudden tempo shifts, the extraordinary, rippling invention…all of this is wonderfully delivered.

The fluidity of the whole performance has a quality that perhaps could be conveyed only by an artist of great improvisational skills.

In Jarrett’s hands, CPE’s exploration of new compositional forms retains the freshness of discovery.

Recorded at Keith Jarrett’s Cavelight Studio in May 1994, the album includes liner notes by Paul Griffiths.

“Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Cembalosonaten Wq.49 Nr.1-6 ‘Württembergische'” cover
“Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Cembalosonaten Wq.49 Nr.1-6 ‘Württembergische’” cover

The tracklist is as follows:

CD 1

  1. I. Moderato (Sonata No. 1 in A Minor, H. 30) (7:33)
  2. II. Andante (Sonata No. 1 in A Minor, H. 30) (3:15)
  3. III. Allegro assai (Sonata No. 1 in A Minor, H. 30) (5:29)
  4. I. Un poco allegro (Sonata No. 2 in A-Flat Major, H. 31) (6:52)
  5. II. Adagio (Sonata No. 2 in A-Flat Major, H. 31) (3:08)
  6. III. Allegro (Sonata No. 2 in A-Flat Major, H. 31) (3:51)
  7. I. Allegro (Sonata No. 3 in E Minor, H. 33) (6:02)
  8. II. Adagio (Sonata No. 3 in E Minor, H. 33) (3:16)
  9. III. Vivace (Sonata No. 3 in E Minor, H. 33) (2:59)

CD 2

  1. I. Un poco allegro (Sonata No. 4 in B-Flat Major, H. 32) (5:47)
  2. II. Andante (Sonata No. 4 in B-Flat Major, H. 32) (3:01)
  3. III. Allegro (Sonata No. 4 in B-Flat Major, H. 32) (4:30)
  4. I. Allegro (Sonata No. 5 in E-Flat Major, H. 34) (7:42)v
  5. II. Adagio (Sonata No. 5 in E-Flat Major, H. 34) (3:21)v
  6. III. Allegro assai (Sonata No. 5 in E-Flat Major, H. 34) (3:32)
  7. I. Moderato (Sonata No. 6 in B Minor, H. 36) (7:02)
  8. II. Adagio non molto (Sonata No. 6 in B Minor, H. 36) (3:43)
  9. III. Allegro (Sonata No. 6 in B Minor, H. 36) (4:30)

Thanks to Matthias for the information.

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“Köln Concert” live performance by Thomas Enhco and Maki Namekawa in Paris

Two pianists, Thomas Enhco and Maki Namekawa, will perform the Köln Concert by Keith Jarrett at the Cité de la Musique in Paris on April 4-7, 2023. The four concerts are apparently sold out, but a waiting list is available.

“Deux pianistes inspirés venant de sphères musicales différentes – Thomas Enhco et Maki Namekawa – s’emparent de The Köln Concert, mythique album live de Keith Jarrett, et restituent l’incroyable luminosité de cette musique en liberté, entre jazz et classique.”

“Le 24 janvier 1975, en tournée en Europe, Keith Jarrett fait étape à l’Opéra de Cologne. Très fatigué, ayant mal au dos, il doit de plus jouer avec le piano en piètre état mis à sa disposition. Résultat : un concert magique, entièrement improvisé, durant lequel va s’écouler une musique épurée mue par une ferveur intense. Publié en 1975 par le prestigieux label ECM, l’enregistrement du concert va rencontrer un succès démesuré, devenant l’un des disques de jazz les plus vendus, et rester dans les annales. Jeune pianiste français, qui oscille entre jazz et classique, Thomas Enhco s’allie ici avec Maki Namekawa, jeune pianiste japonaise, dont le répertoire s’étend du classique au contemporain, pour interpréter dans son intégralité cet album unique à l’éclat inouï.”

Thanks to Daniel for the information.

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“Book of Ways” to be re-issued on CD on March 10, 2023

Book of Ways will be released by ECM as a 2-CD package on March 10, 2023 (see also Facebook post).

After 36 years: ‘Book of Ways’ is available in exclusive packaging starting March 10th. ‘Book of Ways’ was recorded on the 14th of July 1986 in Ludwigsburg. The sequence of improvisations has been adapted for this double album without being changed in order. Rather amazing is the great variety of sound and rhythm – Jarrett played alternately one or two instruments simultaneously. Beyond unmistakeable echoes of lute music and Japanese koto, the whole range of modes of expression the clavichord is capable of is being fathomed out. All this has been supported by studio techniques, which recorded the sound of the instrument with rarely heard intensity. The re-issue 2-CD comes in a new packaging with high quality paper sleeves and gold embossed lettering.

Thanks to Eoin for the links.

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Keith Jarrett interview in March 2023 issue of DownBeat

An interview with Keith Jarrett by Michael Jackson, At Home With Keith Jarrett, is available in the March 2023 issue of DownBeat.

“​In a wide-ranging conversation, the legendary pianist, relaxed in his New Jersey home, speaks to everything from his legacy, his favorite artists and the coolness of his sunglasses to the strokes that have left him able to play piano only with his right hand, something he’s not willing to do in public.”

March 2023 issue of DownBeat

Thanks to Håvard for the information.

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