Category Archives: Releases

“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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“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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New album, “Bordeaux Concert”, to be released on September 29, 2022

A recording of the July 6, 2016 solo concert at L’Auditorium in Bordeaux will be released on September 29, 2022 (including on CD and vinyl).

“Bordeaux Concert” cover

The tracklist is as follows:

  1. Part I (12:46)
  2. Part II (4:44)
  3. Part III (4:33)
  4. Part IV (7:47)
  5. Part V (6:17)
  6. Part VI (4:24)
  7. Part VII (7:28)
  8. Part VIII (5:48)
  9. Part IX (4:40)
  10. Part X (2:54)
  11. Part XI (6:09)
  12. Part XII (5:35)
  13. Part XIII (4:31)

Thanks to Matthias for the information.

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Limited re-release of “Sun Bear Concerts” on vinyl to be released on February 19, 2021

A limited facsimile edition of the 10-LP Sun Bear Concerts box set will be released on February 19, 2021. In 2019, 350 copies were pressed and released in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This time, 2000 numbered copies have been pressed and will be distributed internationally.

Sun Bear Concerts – the acclaimed, 1978 box set from jazz pianist Keith Jarrett – is making its way back to vinyl for the first time in more than 40 years. Available February 19 via ECM, the 10-LP set includes five complete solo concerts by Jarrett, captured in Japan in November 1976.

Limited to 2000 copies, the individually-numbered release will offer fans an exact replica of the original box set, including a reprint of the collection’s 16-page booklet. The audio, meanwhile, has been freshly remastered from the original analog tapes.

Thanks to Christoph for the information.

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