A musical chameleon, pianist Keith Jarrett was at his finest when he recorded these sustained solo improvisations in a German concert hall in 1975, the first lasting 26 minutes, the second 40. Melodies and rhythmic figures arise fluidly from his fingers as he moves from one idea to another, while his strong left hand is often used for repeated motifs that generate a rolling hypnotic power. This couples with strongly consonant harmonies to impart the flavour of gospel music at times, dance music and Debussy at others. Above all, it's Jarrett's ability to knit all of his moods and wanderings into an almost seamless tapestry of warm and tuneful ideas that gives this music its enduring appeal. --Stuart Broomer

Piano playing at its best, 22 Oct 2007
I first heard this record at a friends house. I was completely blown away. I went straight to the first record store and bought it. Since then it became my favorite Jazz album of all times, and has put Keith Jarret, in my opinion, on the top of the world's greatest piano players.
I've been a fan ever since and bought every single live album he has released. They are all amazing, but there's no love like the first one.
No record collection will be complete without it.


THIS is real music!, 10 May 2007
One cannot express in words the beauty of this music. It is utterly raw, coming straight from the heart, a work of sheer genius. Whilst many pieces of so-called piano jazz easily lend themselves to the background of an occasion, the Koln Concert demands constant attention; with all of its changes in tempo, key, style and melody, the listener is enticed into the music, eagerly awaiting the next delicate keystrokes. Indeed, rather than being required to glean the often precious-few moments of brilliance from much music, with Keith Jarrett at the piano, the listener finds these instances thrust upon them every few seconds!

If you concentrate on the music for just a minute, you will find melodies which would ordinarily be the core of a piece, but which in this situation are simply played fleetingly, only to be replaced by yet another gorgeous tune.

I highly recommend this music to absolutely anyone; you do not have to be a jazz-lover to appreciate it! Even if you have never listened to this genre before (I am still unsure as to what "this genre" actually is!!), I sincerely appeal to you to give it a go! I promise you won't be disappointed!

If you do decide to purchase this album, and enjoy it anywhere near as much as I have, may I also recommend the Sun Bear Concerts, the Paris Concert, and Live at Carnegie Hall for more of the same! Jarrett has also played in a jazz trio, with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, and their music is also excellent. Other jazz pianists who I have found to have a similar touch include; Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans and Michael Wollny, although their music tends not to be improvised.

Happy listening!

a work of genius, 26 Feb 2007
Is Jarrett playing the piano or is the piano playing Jarrett or is the music playing both of them? This is beyond improvisation. Jarrett is responding to every note, totally in the moment.

by the way - sorry to be pedantic, but it wasn't in the opening of Carnal Knowledge (released in 1971, 4 years earlier than the concert) but in Nicholas Roeg's Bad Timing starring Teresa Russell and Art Garfunkel. That's the first time I heard the Koln Concerto and I couldn't wait till the end of the film to find out what the music was.

AWESOME, 09 Sep 2006
I am a musician and a teacher in a Special School and I have never been moved so much in the whole of my life as when listening to Part 1 of the Koln concert - it overwhelms me with emotion - wonderful awesome. Oh to the power of music.

Brilliance personified, 07 Sep 2006
This is the Keith Jarrett album that made ECM records, and I believe it is now the best selling solo Piano record ever.

The history behind this famous recording is now legendary. Jarrett hadn't slept for 24 hours prior to the concert. The wrong Piano was brought along for the event and couldn't be changed. Jarrett was kept waiting in an Italian Restaurant prior to the concert and had to bolt his food down to be back the auditorium in time.

The recording very nearly never took place, but in the end Eicher and Jarrett decided to make a documentary recording because they had already paid for the recording facilities.

The music itself is sublime. There are only 4 tracks. Track 1 is 26 mins and a marvel of improvised development. Starting in delicate minor bluesy mode and at 12 mins becoming a thunderous gospel influenced piece. I'm less keen on track 2 and 3 in which Jarrett gets into some of his repetitive grooves. There are still some great moments but as complete pieces they are a little less satisfying. Track 4 is a beautiful tune. Its hard to believe that Jarrett hadn't pre-composed this, but for those who are unaware this album and all of Jarretts solo Piano (non-classical) albums are improvised on the spot.

A bit of trivia part of the opening track was used as soundtrack music in the film "Bad Timing".

"What is this music?" Fundamentally, it's an exploration of what happens when an improvisatory instrumental voice (saxophone) is placed into the world of early vocal music, which has elements of both improvisation and formal structure. In reality, it's an adventure in which the four male voices of the Hilliard Ensemble travel the 14th and 15th-century territory of Morales and Dufay, visit the 12th-century Pérotin and roam even earlier ages of plainchant, accompanied by the always sensitive and tasteful, often astonishing, saxophone improvisations of jazz master Jan Garbarek. Sometimes, these new melodies simply accompany; sometimes they transform the common--a routine minor chord, for instance--into a sublime, indescribable moment. The answer to the above question is easy, but it's different for each listener. --David Vernier

Piano playing at its best, 22 Oct 2007
I first heard this record at a friends house. I was completely blown away. I went straight to the first record store and bought it. Since then it became my favorite Jazz album of all times, and has put Keith Jarret, in my opinion, on the top of the world's greatest piano players.
I've been a fan ever since and bought every single live album he has released. They are all amazing, but there's no love like the first one.
No record collection will be complete without it.


THIS is real music!, 10 May 2007
One cannot express in words the beauty of this music. It is utterly raw, coming straight from the heart, a work of sheer genius. Whilst many pieces of so-called piano jazz easily lend themselves to the background of an occasion, the Koln Concert demands constant attention; with all of its changes in tempo, key, style and melody, the listener is enticed into the music, eagerly awaiting the next delicate keystrokes. Indeed, rather than being required to glean the often precious-few moments of brilliance from much music, with Keith Jarrett at the piano, the listener finds these instances thrust upon them every few seconds!

If you concentrate on the music for just a minute, you will find melodies which would ordinarily be the core of a piece, but which in this situation are simply played fleetingly, only to be replaced by yet another gorgeous tune.

I highly recommend this music to absolutely anyone; you do not have to be a jazz-lover to appreciate it! Even if you have never listened to this genre before (I am still unsure as to what "this genre" actually is!!), I sincerely appeal to you to give it a go! I promise you won't be disappointed!

If you do decide to purchase this album, and enjoy it anywhere near as much as I have, may I also recommend the Sun Bear Concerts, the Paris Concert, and Live at Carnegie Hall for more of the same! Jarrett has also played in a jazz trio, with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, and their music is also excellent. Other jazz pianists who I have found to have a similar touch include; Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans and Michael Wollny, although their music tends not to be improvised.

Happy listening!

a work of genius, 26 Feb 2007
Is Jarrett playing the piano or is the piano playing Jarrett or is the music playing both of them? This is beyond improvisation. Jarrett is responding to every note, totally in the moment.

by the way - sorry to be pedantic, but it wasn't in the opening of Carnal Knowledge (released in 1971, 4 years earlier than the concert) but in Nicholas Roeg's Bad Timing starring Teresa Russell and Art Garfunkel. That's the first time I heard the Koln Concerto and I couldn't wait till the end of the film to find out what the music was.

AWESOME, 09 Sep 2006
I am a musician and a teacher in a Special School and I have never been moved so much in the whole of my life as when listening to Part 1 of the Koln concert - it overwhelms me with emotion - wonderful awesome. Oh to the power of music.

Brilliance personified, 07 Sep 2006
This is the Keith Jarrett album that made ECM records, and I believe it is now the best selling solo Piano record ever.

The history behind this famous recording is now legendary. Jarrett hadn't slept for 24 hours prior to the concert. The wrong Piano was brought along for the event and couldn't be changed. Jarrett was kept waiting in an Italian Restaurant prior to the concert and had to bolt his food down to be back the auditorium in time.

The recording very nearly never took place, but in the end Eicher and Jarrett decided to make a documentary recording because they had already paid for the recording facilities.

The music itself is sublime. There are only 4 tracks. Track 1 is 26 mins and a marvel of improvised development. Starting in delicate minor bluesy mode and at 12 mins becoming a thunderous gospel influenced piece. I'm less keen on track 2 and 3 in which Jarrett gets into some of his repetitive grooves. There are still some great moments but as complete pieces they are a little less satisfying. Track 4 is a beautiful tune. Its hard to believe that Jarrett hadn't pre-composed this, but for those who are unaware this album and all of Jarretts solo Piano (non-classical) albums are improvised on the spot.

A bit of trivia part of the opening track was used as soundtrack music in the film "Bad Timing".



What a waste!, 24 Jun 2008
I can see how sax fans find this album a revelation but it is a stain on the track record of the Hilliard Ensemble. I can see (kinda) what the involved parties tried to do but it still is painful to listing to it and even with a lot of good will this is simply a waste of money and time. To all those admirers of the Hilliard Ensemble: Don't do it to yourself!


nauseating, 22 May 2008
This takes the cherries out of two cakes and leaves the cakes behind. They are glace cherries. Horribly sweet.

The sound of perfection, 04 Mar 2008
There are moments in life when you can become speechless,I have always liked the ethos of the ECM label,and in the the vast majority of albums they release hit such a standard that other labels can only dream of,this is aone such album.
Garbarek and the Hilliards are in a stratosphere of their own,this truly stunning album achieves a benchmark even in ECMs high standard.the music is never short of stunning with Garbarek weaving his magic spell with beautiful,gracefull and moving sounds so much so that the problems of the world seem to disapear.
The Hilliard ensembles vocal ambience was never better,and having seen Garbarek and the Hilliards perform this live in concert,this is no one hit wonder.
This album changed the way that i listen to music,if you get a chance let this into your life,soul and heart and you will feel much better for it.
The music is enchanting,haunting and beautiful,and dates from the 13th14th and 15th century and it is a credit to all performers that it still sounds fresh today,if you like this try Gothic Voices "A Feather on the breath Of God"
Buy this album and be at peace with yourself

Beautiful sounds., 16 Jan 2007
The first track on this CD takes my breath away every time I hear it. It really is stunningly beautiful.

However, if you are like the poor unfortunate "music fan" above who has become such a purist that you fail to just sit back and listen to beautiful sounds and melodies (this being after all what music is in its most basic form) then please don't buy this. No, saxaphone and choral music at first sounds like a disaster...but this WORKS. Yes, as one reviewer has already mentioned, some tracks work better than others, but music is there to be enjoyed, to be played with, to have fun with and enjoyed. I am betting the reviewer above is also one of the select few who cannot abide Classic FM because it has "commercialised THEIR music". Such a shame. Enjoy this music for what it is and if, like our friend "the above reviewer" you do not like the sound of a beautifully played saxaphone, this is fine, just acknowledge that you don't like sax music, rather than slating a talented musician.

To those who still let their ears and their hearts do the listening, rather than some pompous ideas about "knowing about music", listen to this. You'll love it.

It's how music makes you feel that really matters.Officium makes me feel just great!, 11 Oct 2006
While driving over the dreamy mountains of Leek and Buxton, I was fretting over whether or not I would get enough time to finish the job of laying a floor for my present demanding customer.I was taking those hairpins like a madman.I nearly skidded off the road and into a ravine hitting a high grass verge,which fortunatly saved my life.The car stalled,all was quiet except for a stiff breeze blowing through the open window and the radio.At that very moment a tone of emense wonderment and beauty, struck my ear, it was pure with great clarity, even angelic. Jan Garbarek was actually talking to ME,yes! directly communicating to me! Of course I did'nt know him it at the time, but his sax playing touched me so deeply it rested and stilled my racing heart. I was spellbound and was forced to listen to its magic voices right to its regretful conclusion.I sat there and made the time to reflect on what I had just heard,it took me an hour.I sedatly drove on with a smile on my face and a bent bumper,but I did'nt care.The next day I went out and purchased "Officium",(after much searching).Since discovering this masterpiece I have found it to be beneficial, in its calming influence and the best thing of all- IT'S JUST HOW IT MAKES YOU FEEL,GREAT!

Piano playing at its best, 22 Oct 2007
I first heard this record at a friends house. I was completely blown away. I went straight to the first record store and bought it. Since then it became my favorite Jazz album of all times, and has put Keith Jarret, in my opinion, on the top of the world's greatest piano players.
I've been a fan ever since and bought every single live album he has released. They are all amazing, but there's no love like the first one.
No record collection will be complete without it.


THIS is real music!, 10 May 2007
One cannot express in words the beauty of this music. It is utterly raw, coming straight from the heart, a work of sheer genius. Whilst many pieces of so-called piano jazz easily lend themselves to the background of an occasion, the Koln Concert demands constant attention; with all of its changes in tempo, key, style and melody, the listener is enticed into the music, eagerly awaiting the next delicate keystrokes. Indeed, rather than being required to glean the often precious-few moments of brilliance from much music, with Keith Jarrett at the piano, the listener finds these instances thrust upon them every few seconds!

If you concentrate on the music for just a minute, you will find melodies which would ordinarily be the core of a piece, but which in this situation are simply played fleetingly, only to be replaced by yet another gorgeous tune.

I highly recommend this music to absolutely anyone; you do not have to be a jazz-lover to appreciate it! Even if you have never listened to this genre before (I am still unsure as to what "this genre" actually is!!), I sincerely appeal to you to give it a go! I promise you won't be disappointed!

If you do decide to purchase this album, and enjoy it anywhere near as much as I have, may I also recommend the Sun Bear Concerts, the Paris Concert, and Live at Carnegie Hall for more of the same! Jarrett has also played in a jazz trio, with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, and their music is also excellent. Other jazz pianists who I have found to have a similar touch include; Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans and Michael Wollny, although their music tends not to be improvised.

Happy listening!

a work of genius, 26 Feb 2007
Is Jarrett playing the piano or is the piano playing Jarrett or is the music playing both of them? This is beyond improvisation. Jarrett is responding to every note, totally in the moment.

by the way - sorry to be pedantic, but it wasn't in the opening of Carnal Knowledge (released in 1971, 4 years earlier than the concert) but in Nicholas Roeg's Bad Timing starring Teresa Russell and Art Garfunkel. That's the first time I heard the Koln Concerto and I couldn't wait till the end of the film to find out what the music was.

AWESOME, 09 Sep 2006
I am a musician and a teacher in a Special School and I have never been moved so much in the whole of my life as when listening to Part 1 of the Koln concert - it overwhelms me with emotion - wonderful awesome. Oh to the power of music.

Brilliance personified, 07 Sep 2006
This is the Keith Jarrett album that made ECM records, and I believe it is now the best selling solo Piano record ever.

The history behind this famous recording is now legendary. Jarrett hadn't slept for 24 hours prior to the concert. The wrong Piano was brought along for the event and couldn't be changed. Jarrett was kept waiting in an Italian Restaurant prior to the concert and had to bolt his food down to be back the auditorium in time.

The recording very nearly never took place, but in the end Eicher and Jarrett decided to make a documentary recording because they had already paid for the recording facilities.

The music itself is sublime. There are only 4 tracks. Track 1 is 26 mins and a marvel of improvised development. Starting in delicate minor bluesy mode and at 12 mins becoming a thunderous gospel influenced piece. I'm less keen on track 2 and 3 in which Jarrett gets into some of his repetitive grooves. There are still some great moments but as complete pieces they are a little less satisfying. Track 4 is a beautiful tune. Its hard to believe that Jarrett hadn't pre-composed this, but for those who are unaware this album and all of Jarretts solo Piano (non-classical) albums are improvised on the spot.

A bit of trivia part of the opening track was used as soundtrack music in the film "Bad Timing".



What a waste!, 24 Jun 2008
I can see how sax fans find this album a revelation but it is a stain on the track record of the Hilliard Ensemble. I can see (kinda) what the involved parties tried to do but it still is painful to listing to it and even with a lot of good will this is simply a waste of money and time. To all those admirers of the Hilliard Ensemble: Don't do it to yourself!


nauseating, 22 May 2008
This takes the cherries out of two cakes and leaves the cakes behind. They are glace cherries. Horribly sweet.

The sound of perfection, 04 Mar 2008
There are moments in life when you can become speechless,I have always liked the ethos of the ECM label,and in the the vast majority of albums they release hit such a standard that other labels can only dream of,this is aone such album.
Garbarek and the Hilliards are in a stratosphere of their own,this truly stunning album achieves a benchmark even in ECMs high standard.the music is never short of stunning with Garbarek weaving his magic spell with beautiful,gracefull and moving sounds so much so that the problems of the world seem to disapear.
The Hilliard ensembles vocal ambience was never better,and having seen Garbarek and the Hilliards perform this live in concert,this is no one hit wonder.
This album changed the way that i listen to music,if you get a chance let this into your life,soul and heart and you will feel much better for it.
The music is enchanting,haunting and beautiful,and dates from the 13th14th and 15th century and it is a credit to all performers that it still sounds fresh today,if you like this try Gothic Voices "A Feather on the breath Of God"
Buy this album and be at peace with yourself

Beautiful sounds., 16 Jan 2007
The first track on this CD takes my breath away every time I hear it. It really is stunningly beautiful.

However, if you are like the poor unfortunate "music fan" above who has become such a purist that you fail to just sit back and listen to beautiful sounds and melodies (this being after all what music is in its most basic form) then please don't buy this. No, saxaphone and choral music at first sounds like a disaster...but this WORKS. Yes, as one reviewer has already mentioned, some tracks work better than others, but music is there to be enjoyed, to be played with, to have fun with and enjoyed. I am betting the reviewer above is also one of the select few who cannot abide Classic FM because it has "commercialised THEIR music". Such a shame. Enjoy this music for what it is and if, like our friend "the above reviewer" you do not like the sound of a beautifully played saxaphone, this is fine, just acknowledge that you don't like sax music, rather than slating a talented musician.

To those who still let their ears and their hearts do the listening, rather than some pompous ideas about "knowing about music", listen to this. You'll love it.

It's how music makes you feel that really matters.Officium makes me feel just great!, 11 Oct 2006
While driving over the dreamy mountains of Leek and Buxton, I was fretting over whether or not I would get enough time to finish the job of laying a floor for my present demanding customer.I was taking those hairpins like a madman.I nearly skidded off the road and into a ravine hitting a high grass verge,which fortunatly saved my life.The car stalled,all was quiet except for a stiff breeze blowing through the open window and the radio.At that very moment a tone of emense wonderment and beauty, struck my ear, it was pure with great clarity, even angelic. Jan Garbarek was actually talking to ME,yes! directly communicating to me! Of course I did'nt know him it at the time, but his sax playing touched me so deeply it rested and stilled my racing heart. I was spellbound and was forced to listen to its magic voices right to its regretful conclusion.I sat there and made the time to reflect on what I had just heard,it took me an hour.I sedatly drove on with a smile on my face and a bent bumper,but I did'nt care.The next day I went out and purchased "Officium",(after much searching).Since discovering this masterpiece I have found it to be beneficial, in its calming influence and the best thing of all- IT'S JUST HOW IT MAKES YOU FEEL,GREAT!

My Favourite Pentangle Album, 27 Oct 2007
Of all the Pentangle albums, this is by far my favourite - if you could add Cruel Sister & Let No Man Steal Your Thyme to it, it would be perfect! Sally Free & Easy is sublime, and the only song that betters it in my mind is Willy O'Winsbury (the tune of which will be familiar to Fairport fans as it was used to set the words of Farewell Farewell to). The only song I'm not too keen on is the Lady of Carlisle, but then you can't have everything!

One of Pentangles best albums, 03 Dec 2004
In my opinion, this is one of Pentangles best albums. It's a summing up of all their earlier works, with addition of new ideas and directions.The main feature, though, is that it containes their best ever recording, a tune called "The Snows".
It's an amazing song, based on a Northumbrian pipe tune, but also obviusly related to a medieval German tune called "Winter muss hinweichen" (Winter must go away). One wonders how things would have turned out if the band hadn't split after this album.

at last a CD release, 05 Dec 2003
This album from the latter years of Pentangle is one of their very best. It was originally released during the autumn and even now, to me, it still has that autumnal feel about it. This is summed up by the wonderful version of 'The Snows', often called 'The snow it melts the soonest'. This is Bert Jansch at his very best. The whole album has a kind of haunting quality to it. A very welcome release.

Piano playing at its best, 22 Oct 2007
I first heard this record at a friends house. I was completely blown away. I went straight to the first record store and bought it. Since then it became my favorite Jazz album of all times, and has put Keith Jarret, in my opinion, on the top of the world's greatest piano players.
I've been a fan ever since and bought every single live album he has released. They are all amazing, but there's no love like the first one.
No record collection will be complete without it.


THIS is real music!, 10 May 2007
One cannot express in words the beauty of this music. It is utterly raw, coming straight from the heart, a work of sheer genius. Whilst many pieces of so-called piano jazz easily lend themselves to the background of an occasion, the Koln Concert demands constant attention; with all of its changes in tempo, key, style and melody, the listener is enticed into the music, eagerly awaiting the next delicate keystrokes. Indeed, rather than being required to glean the often precious-few moments of brilliance from much music, with Keith Jarrett at the piano, the listener finds these instances thrust upon them every few seconds!

If you concentrate on the music for just a minute, you will find melodies which would ordinarily be the core of a piece, but which in this situation are simply played fleetingly, only to be replaced by yet another gorgeous tune.

I highly recommend this music to absolutely anyone; you do not have to be a jazz-lover to appreciate it! Even if you have never listened to this genre before (I am still unsure as to what "this genre" actually is!!), I sincerely appeal to you to give it a go! I promise you won't be disappointed!

If you do decide to purchase this album, and enjoy it anywhere near as much as I have, may I also recommend the Sun Bear Concerts, the Paris Concert, and Live at Carnegie Hall for more of the same! Jarrett has also played in a jazz trio, with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, and their music is also excellent. Other jazz pianists who I have found to have a similar touch include; Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans and Michael Wollny, although their music tends not to be improvised.

Happy listening!

a work of genius, 26 Feb 2007
Is Jarrett playing the piano or is the piano playing Jarrett or is the music playing both of them? This is beyond improvisation. Jarrett is responding to every note, totally in the moment.

by the way - sorry to be pedantic, but it wasn't in the opening of Carnal Knowledge (released in 1971, 4 years earlier than the concert) but in Nicholas Roeg's Bad Timing starring Teresa Russell and Art Garfunkel. That's the first time I heard the Koln Concerto and I couldn't wait till the end of the film to find out what the music was.

AWESOME, 09 Sep 2006
I am a musician and a teacher in a Special School and I have never been moved so much in the whole of my life as when listening to Part 1 of the Koln concert - it overwhelms me with emotion - wonderful awesome. Oh to the power of music.

Brilliance personified, 07 Sep 2006
This is the Keith Jarrett album that made ECM records, and I believe it is now the best selling solo Piano record ever.

The history behind this famous recording is now legendary. Jarrett hadn't slept for 24 hours prior to the concert. The wrong Piano was brought along for the event and couldn't be changed. Jarrett was kept waiting in an Italian Restaurant prior to the concert and had to bolt his food down to be back the auditorium in time.

The recording very nearly never took place, but in the end Eicher and Jarrett decided to make a documentary recording because they had already paid for the recording facilities.

The music itself is sublime. There are only 4 tracks. Track 1 is 26 mins and a marvel of improvised development. Starting in delicate minor bluesy mode and at 12 mins becoming a thunderous gospel influenced piece. I'm less keen on track 2 and 3 in which Jarrett gets into some of his repetitive grooves. There are still some great moments but as complete pieces they are a little less satisfying. Track 4 is a beautiful tune. Its hard to believe that Jarrett hadn't pre-composed this, but for those who are unaware this album and all of Jarretts solo Piano (non-classical) albums are improvised on the spot.

A bit of trivia part of the opening track was used as soundtrack music in the film "Bad Timing".



What a waste!, 24 Jun 2008
I can see how sax fans find this album a revelation but it is a stain on the track record of the Hilliard Ensemble. I can see (kinda) what the involved parties tried to do but it still is painful to listing to it and even with a lot of good will this is simply a waste of money and time. To all those admirers of the Hilliard Ensemble: Don't do it to yourself!


nauseating, 22 May 2008
This takes the cherries out of two cakes and leaves the cakes behind. They are glace cherries. Horribly sweet.

The sound of perfection, 04 Mar 2008
There are moments in life when you can become speechless,I have always liked the ethos of the ECM label,and in the the vast majority of albums they release hit such a standard that other labels can only dream of,this is aone such album.
Garbarek and the Hilliards are in a stratosphere of their own,this truly stunning album achieves a benchmark even in ECMs high standard.the music is never short of stunning with Garbarek weaving his magic spell with beautiful,gracefull and moving sounds so much so that the problems of the world seem to disapear.
The Hilliard ensembles vocal ambience was never better,and having seen Garbarek and the Hilliards perform this live in concert,this is no one hit wonder.
This album changed the way that i listen to music,if you get a chance let this into your life,soul and heart and you will feel much better for it.
The music is enchanting,haunting and beautiful,and dates from the 13th14th and 15th century and it is a credit to all performers that it still sounds fresh today,if you like this try Gothic Voices "A Feather on the breath Of God"
Buy this album and be at peace with yourself

Beautiful sounds., 16 Jan 2007
The first track on this CD takes my breath away every time I hear it. It really is stunningly beautiful.

However, if you are like the poor unfortunate "music fan" above who has become such a purist that you fail to just sit back and listen to beautiful sounds and melodies (this being after all what music is in its most basic form) then please don't buy this. No, saxaphone and choral music at first sounds like a disaster...but this WORKS. Yes, as one reviewer has already mentioned, some tracks work better than others, but music is there to be enjoyed, to be played with, to have fun with and enjoyed. I am betting the reviewer above is also one of the select few who cannot abide Classic FM because it has "commercialised THEIR music". Such a shame. Enjoy this music for what it is and if, like our friend "the above reviewer" you do not like the sound of a beautifully played saxaphone, this is fine, just acknowledge that you don't like sax music, rather than slating a talented musician.

To those who still let their ears and their hearts do the listening, rather than some pompous ideas about "knowing about music", listen to this. You'll love it.

It's how music makes you feel that really matters.Officium makes me feel just great!, 11 Oct 2006
While driving over the dreamy mountains of Leek and Buxton, I was fretting over whether or not I would get enough time to finish the job of laying a floor for my present demanding customer.I was taking those hairpins like a madman.I nearly skidded off the road and into a ravine hitting a high grass verge,which fortunatly saved my life.The car stalled,all was quiet except for a stiff breeze blowing through the open window and the radio.At that very moment a tone of emense wonderment and beauty, struck my ear, it was pure with great clarity, even angelic. Jan Garbarek was actually talking to ME,yes! directly communicating to me! Of course I did'nt know him it at the time, but his sax playing touched me so deeply it rested and stilled my racing heart. I was spellbound and was forced to listen to its magic voices right to its regretful conclusion.I sat there and made the time to reflect on what I had just heard,it took me an hour.I sedatly drove on with a smile on my face and a bent bumper,but I did'nt care.The next day I went out and purchased "Officium",(after much searching).Since discovering this masterpiece I have found it to be beneficial, in its calming influence and the best thing of all- IT'S JUST HOW IT MAKES YOU FEEL,GREAT!

My Favourite Pentangle Album, 27 Oct 2007
Of all the Pentangle albums, this is by far my favourite - if you could add Cruel Sister & Let No Man Steal Your Thyme to it, it would be perfect! Sally Free & Easy is sublime, and the only song that betters it in my mind is Willy O'Winsbury (the tune of which will be familiar to Fairport fans as it was used to set the words of Farewell Farewell to). The only song I'm not too keen on is the Lady of Carlisle, but then you can't have everything!

One of Pentangles best albums, 03 Dec 2004
In my opinion, this is one of Pentangles best albums. It's a summing up of all their earlier works, with addition of new ideas and directions.The main feature, though, is that it containes their best ever recording, a tune called "The Snows".
It's an amazing song, based on a Northumbrian pipe tune, but also obviusly related to a medieval German tune called "Winter muss hinweichen" (Winter must go away). One wonders how things would have turned out if the band hadn't split after this album.

at last a CD release, 05 Dec 2003
This album from the latter years of Pentangle is one of their very best. It was originally released during the autumn and even now, to me, it still has that autumnal feel about it. This is summed up by the wonderful version of 'The Snows', often called 'The snow it melts the soonest'. This is Bert Jansch at his very best. The whole album has a kind of haunting quality to it. A very welcome release.

Fantastic modern classic, 25 May 2004
This CD is stunning, track three blows me away. I can't express how amazing it makes me feel, buy it and listen to all of the songs. Put track three on repeat!

Hu Hai Ho to Norway we shall go, 14 Nov 2002
One of the finest Garbarek recordings that I have heard. Very distinctive stuff from the Norwegian sax man. He ploughs his own furrow much as does other sax giant John Surman. I guess a lot of it is difficult to describe as jazz music. What it is, is very, very good music. Garbarek has wonderful tone and control. His sound is unique.
Two tracks feature vocals from Agnes Buen Garnas and then Mari Boine both singing presumably in Norwegian. Very moving stuff.
Garbarek never shys away from a high register denouement to a song and that may be my only complaint.
Excellent complimentary work from Rainer Brununghaus on piano, Eberhard Webber bass, Manu Katche drums and Marilyn Mazur percussion.
Track 7, The traditional Gautes-Margjit is more jazzy. To me this interpretation seems to draw inspiration probably subliminally from John Coltrane. It is a piece of music that builds up tension and feeling with fine percussion from Katche and Mazur and some thoughtful piano. Garbareks solo is impassioned before the quieter percussion led end. My favourite track.
Huhai too is a gem including the traditional Sami joik "Oskar-An'te" highlighting a really catchy little melody.
The closing Witchi-Tai-To is a Jim Pepper composition and this reading is beautiful fitting in so well with what has gone before. A very astute choice to close this fine offering.
I guess the enjoyment would be heightened if you were surrounded by the striking Norwegian countryside that so inspires Garbarek but just close your eyes and drift away....

Well, it's exactly what it says on the tin, perhaps--another album of quiet solo piano music from the doyen of quiet solo piano music--but there's an intense, rather spooky strangeness to much of what's going on here. The tone is set by the opening of the first piece, which focuses on slow, attenuated arpeggios strangely reminiscent of, of all things, some of John Cage's solo (unprepared) piano pieces, knowing in their simplicity. Elsewhere, when Jarrett wanders off into the sophisticated lounge music which his followers regard as sublime but which others simply find exasperating, his right hand produces parodic melodies that fold back into themselves in a manner which evokes another composer from the American avant-garde tradition, Robert Ashley. Step away from these details and it almost seems as if Jarrett is setting out to imitate and subvert those with whom he's occasionally compared--try playing this back-to-back with a Harold Danko solo recording--and the results manage to be both subdued, refined and delicate while at the same time eerily claustrophobic, like the opening scenes of Blue Velvet. Jarrett fans will want this anyway; others will at least find it interestingly odd. --Roger Thomas

Piano playing at its best, 22 Oct 2007
I first heard this record at a friends house. I was completely blown away. I went straight to the first record store and bought it. Since then it became my favorite Jazz album of all times, and has put Keith Jarret, in my opinion, on the top of the world's greatest piano players.
I've been a fan ever since and bought every single live album he has released. They are all amazing, but there's no love like the first one.
No record collection will be complete without it.


THIS is real music!, 10 May 2007
One cannot express in words the beauty of this music. It is utterly raw, coming straight from the heart, a work of sheer genius. Whilst many pieces of so-called piano jazz easily lend themselves to the background of an occasion, the Koln Concert demands constant attention; with all of its changes in tempo, key, style and melody, the listener is enticed into the music, eagerly awaiting the next delicate keystrokes. Indeed, rather than being required to glean the often precious-few moments of brilliance from much music, with Keith Jarrett at the piano, the listener finds these instances thrust upon them every few seconds!

If you concentrate on the music for just a minute, you will find melodies which would ordinarily be the core of a piece, but which in this situation are simply played fleetingly, only to be replaced by yet another gorgeous tune.

I highly recommend this music to absolutely anyone; you do not have to be a jazz-lover to appreciate it! Even if you have never listened to this genre before (I am still unsure as to what "this genre" actually is!!), I sincerely appeal to you to give it a go! I promise you won't be disappointed!

If you do decide to purchase this album, and enjoy it anywhere near as much as I have, may I also recommend the Sun Bear Concerts, the Paris Concert, and Live at Carnegie Hall for more of the same! Jarrett has also played in a jazz trio, with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, and their music is also excellent. Other jazz pianists who I have found to have a similar touch include; Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans and Michael Wollny, although their music tends not to be improvised.

Happy listening!

a work of genius, 26 Feb 2007
Is Jarrett playing the piano or is the piano playing Jarrett or is the music playing both of them? This is beyond improvisation. Jarrett is responding to every note, totally in the moment.

by the way - sorry to be pedantic, but it wasn't in the opening of Carnal Knowledge (released in 1971, 4 years earlier than the concert) but in Nicholas Roeg's Bad Timing starring Teresa Russell and Art Garfunkel. That's the first time I heard the Koln Concerto and I couldn't wait till the end of the film to find out what the music was.

AWESOME, 09 Sep 2006
I am a musician and a teacher in a Special School and I have never been moved so much in the whole of my life as when listening to Part 1 of the Koln concert - it overwhelms me with emotion - wonderful awesome. Oh to the power of music.

Brilliance personified, 07 Sep 2006
This is the Keith Jarrett album that made ECM records, and I believe it is now the best selling solo Piano record ever.

The history behind this famous recording is now legendary. Jarrett hadn't slept for 24 hours prior to the concert. The wrong Piano was brought along for the event and couldn't be changed. Jarrett was kept waiting in an Italian Restaurant prior to the concert and had to bolt his food down to be back the auditorium in time.

The recording very nearly never took place, but in the end Eicher and Jarrett decided to make a documentary recording because they had already paid for the recording facilities.

The music itself is sublime. There are only 4 tracks. Track 1 is 26 mins and a marvel of improvised development. Starting in delicate minor bluesy mode and at 12 mins becoming a thunderous gospel influenced piece. I'm less keen on track 2 and 3 in which Jarrett gets into some of his repetitive grooves. There are still some great moments but as complete pieces they are a little less satisfying. Track 4 is a beautiful tune. Its hard to believe that Jarrett hadn't pre-composed this, but for those who are unaware this album and all of Jarretts solo Piano (non-classical) albums are improvised on the spot.

A bit of trivia part of the opening track was used as soundtrack music in the film "Bad Timing".



What a waste!, 24 Jun 2008
I can see how sax fans find this album a revelation but it is a stain on the track record of the Hilliard Ensemble. I can see (kinda) what the involved parties tried to do but it still is painful to listing to it and even with a lot of good will this is simply a waste of money and time. To all those admirers of the Hilliard Ensemble: Don't do it to yourself!


nauseating, 22 May 2008
This takes the cherries out of two cakes and leaves the cakes behind. They are glace cherries. Horribly sweet.

The sound of perfection, 04 Mar 2008
There are moments in life when you can become speechless,I have always liked the ethos of the ECM label,and in the the vast majority of albums they release hit such a standard that other labels can only dream of,this is aone such album.
Garbarek and the Hilliards are in a stratosphere of their own,this truly stunning album achieves a benchmark even in ECMs high standard.the music is never short of stunning with Garbarek weaving his magic spell with beautiful,gracefull and moving sounds so much so that the problems of the world seem to disapear.
The Hilliard ensembles vocal ambience was never better,and having seen Garbarek and the Hilliards perform this live in concert,this is no one hit wonder.
This album changed the way that i listen to music,if you get a chance let this into your life,soul and heart and you will feel much better for it.
The music is enchanting,haunting and beautiful,and dates from the 13th14th and 15th century and it is a credit to all performers that it still sounds fresh today,if you like this try Gothic Voices "A Feather on the breath Of God"
Buy this album and be at peace with yourself

Beautiful sounds., 16 Jan 2007
The first track on this CD takes my breath away every time I hear it. It really is stunningly beautiful.

However, if you are like the poor unfortunate "music fan" above who has become such a purist that you fail to just sit back and listen to beautiful sounds and melodies (this being after all what music is in its most basic form) then please don't buy this. No, saxaphone and choral music at first sounds like a disaster...but this WORKS. Yes, as one reviewer has already mentioned, some tracks work better than others, but music is there to be enjoyed, to be played with, to have fun with and enjoyed. I am betting the reviewer above is also one of the select few who cannot abide Classic FM because it has "commercialised THEIR music". Such a shame. Enjoy this music for what it is and if, like our friend "the above reviewer" you do not like the sound of a beautifully played saxaphone, this is fine, just acknowledge that you don't like sax music, rather than slating a talented musician.

To those who still let their ears and their hearts do the listening, rather than some pompous ideas about "knowing about music", listen to this. You'll love it.

It's how music makes you feel that really matters.Officium makes me feel just great!, 11 Oct 2006
While driving over the dreamy mountains of Leek and Buxton, I was fretting over whether or not I would get enough time to finish the job of laying a floor for my present demanding customer.I was taking those hairpins like a madman.I nearly skidded off the road and into a ravine hitting a high grass verge,which fortunatly saved my life.The car stalled,all was quiet except for a stiff breeze blowing through the open window and the radio.At that very moment a tone of emense wonderment and beauty, struck my ear, it was pure with great clarity, even angelic. Jan Garbarek was actually talking to ME,yes! directly communicating to me! Of course I did'nt know him it at the time, but his sax playing touched me so deeply it rested and stilled my racing heart. I was spellbound and was forced to listen to its magic voices right to its regretful conclusion.I sat there and made the time to reflect on what I had just heard,it took me an hour.I sedatly drove on with a smile on my face and a bent bumper,but I did'nt care.The next day I went out and purchased "Officium",(after much searching).Since discovering this masterpiece I have found it to be beneficial, in its calming influence and the best thing of all- IT'S JUST HOW IT MAKES YOU FEEL,GREAT!

My Favourite Pentangle Album, 27 Oct 2007
Of all the Pentangle albums, this is by far my favourite - if you could add Cruel Sister & Let No Man Steal Your Thyme to it, it would be perfect! Sally Free & Easy is sublime, and the only song that betters it in my mind is Willy O'Winsbury (the tune of which will be familiar to Fairport fans as it was used to set the words of Farewell Farewell to). The only song I'm not too keen on is the Lady of Carlisle, but then you can't have everything!

One of Pentangles best albums, 03 Dec 2004
In my opinion, this is one of Pentangles best albums. It's a summing up of all their earlier works, with addition of new ideas and directions.The main feature, though, is that it containes their best ever recording, a tune called "The Snows".
It's an amazing song, based on a Northumbrian pipe tune, but also obviusly related to a medieval German tune called "Winter muss hinweichen" (Winter must go away). One wonders how things would have turned out if the band hadn't split after this album.

at last a CD release, 05 Dec 2003
This album from the latter years of Pentangle is one of their very best. It was originally released during the autumn and even now, to me, it still has that autumnal feel about it. This is summed up by the wonderful version of 'The Snows', often called 'The snow it melts the soonest'. This is Bert Jansch at his very best. The whole album has a kind of haunting quality to it. A very welcome release.

Fantastic modern classic, 25 May 2004
This CD is stunning, track three blows me away. I can't express how amazing it makes me feel, buy it and listen to all of the songs. Put track three on repeat!

Hu Hai Ho to Norway we shall go, 14 Nov 2002
One of the finest Garbarek recordings that I have heard. Very distinctive stuff from the Norwegian sax man. He ploughs his own furrow much as does other sax giant John Surman. I guess a lot of it is difficult to describe as jazz music. What it is, is very, very good music. Garbarek has wonderful tone and control. His sound is unique.
Two tracks feature vocals from Agnes Buen Garnas and then Mari Boine both singing presumably in Norwegian. Very moving stuff.
Garbarek never shys away from a high register denouement to a song and that may be my only complaint.
Excellent complimentary work from Rainer Brununghaus on piano, Eberhard Webber bass, Manu Katche drums and Marilyn Mazur percussion.
Track 7, The traditional Gautes-Margjit is more jazzy. To me this interpretation seems to draw inspiration probably subliminally from John Coltrane. It is a piece of music that builds up tension and feeling with fine percussion from Katche and Mazur and some thoughtful piano. Garbareks solo is impassioned before the quieter percussion led end. My favourite track.
Huhai too is a gem including the traditional Sami joik "Oskar-An'te" highlighting a really catchy little melody.
The closing Witchi-Tai-To is a Jim Pepper composition and this reading is beautiful fitting in so well with what has gone before. A very astute choice to close this fine offering.
I guess the enjoyment would be heightened if you were surrounded by the striking Norwegian countryside that so inspires Garbarek but just close your eyes and drift away....

Sometimes words just don't do it..., 10 Jul 2007
What started life as a christmas present is one of the most honest sincere, heartfelt and musical albums I have ever heard. There is also no grunting and groaning here.
To me another huge Plus.
Enaugh said!!

A wonderful late-night disc, 03 Jul 2007
Knowing the context in which these recordings were produced (see previous review) deepens the poignancy evoked by such beautiful playing, but they stand up alone and on their own merits, from the first track to the last. There's delicacy here that's so fragile it almost hurts, but also a strength of purpose that's invigorating. As the title suggests, this is a wonderful late-night disc; personal, mellow, shimmering and very, very moving. It restores one's faith in the ability of human beings to bring meaning to our troubled world.

Perfection, 14 Oct 2006
This solo Piano album from Keith Jarrett is another reminder of the mans remarkable talents. As can be seen from the track listing these are all standards and Jarrett plays them as I have never heard him play before or since. These renditions are almost like recitals. I don't know how much improvisation there is on this album, but I suspect it is less than usual. The reason for this is that the recordings were the first he made during his recovery from the debilitating illness he suffered in the mid 1990's. In fact initially they were recorded only for his Wife and not neccessarily for commercial release.

Jarretts beautiful touch, phrasing and occasionally, such as on "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good" his marvellous improvising skills are demonstrated to great effect. Really writing about this is futile, to appreciate this great album you need to listen to it.

The beauty of stillness, 31 Jan 2006
This is a wonderfully atmospheric recording. Few things are more beautiful than an unadorned piano, and Jarrett keeps his lines simple and his focus on the melody. The results are truly lovely: this is a perfect album for dreaming, whether alone or with a lover. Its simplicity is haunting, and those who appreciate it most will understand that simplicity is the hardest thing to achieve.

Oh yes..., 31 Dec 2002
If you only ever buy two jazz albums, you should first get Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis and this one. Pour yourself a glass, banish the kids, put your feet up and enjoy. If you are not moved by any of this, you are made of stone or tone deaf.

Saxophonist John Surman is best known for such stunning overdubbed improvisations as Upon Reflection and Private City and for his freely inventive Stranger Than Fiction quartet. But he is also a composer of stature. His oratorio Proverbs And Songs made it onto the Mercury Prize shortlist in 1998, and in Coruscating he focuses again on writing. The eight compositions here owe as much to the English pastoral tradition of Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Bridge as to the jazz tradition of, say, Ellington, combining a string quartet with two jazz soloists, Surman and bassist Chris Laurence. Elegiac, in places melancholic, but never less than ravishing, the pieces achieve a fine balance between formal composition and freewheeling improvisation. Surman's ethereal soprano sax and throaty baritone sax and bass clarinet dominate proceedings, notably on the sublime "Stone Flower", a heartfelt tribute to Ellington's baritone master, Harry Carney, while Laurence consistently reminds us why he is so in demand as a bass player par excellence. Hugely rewarding, and much recommended, this set is the exception to the rule that saxophone and strings rarely work well together. --Simon Adams

Piano playing at its best, 22 Oct 2007
I first heard this record at a friends house. I was completely blown away. I went straight to the first record store and bought it. Since then it became my favorite Jazz album of all times, and has put Keith Jarret, in my opinion, on the top of the world's greatest piano players.
I've been a fan ever since and bought every single live album he has released. They are all amazing, but there's no love like the first one.
No record collection will be complete without it.


THIS is real music!, 10 May 2007
One cannot express in words the beauty of this music. It is utterly raw, coming straight from the heart, a work of sheer genius. Whilst many pieces of so-called piano jazz easily lend themselves to the background of an occasion, the Koln Concert demands constant attention; with all of its changes in tempo, key, style and melody, the listener is enticed into the music, eagerly awaiting the next delicate keystrokes. Indeed, rather than being required to glean the often precious-few moments of brilliance from much music, with Keith Jarrett at the piano, the listener finds these instances thrust upon them every few seconds!

If you concentrate on the music for just a minute, you will find melodies which would ordinarily be the core of a piece, but which in this situation are simply played fleetingly, only to be replaced by yet another gorgeous tune.

I highly recommend this music to absolutely anyone; you do not have to be a jazz-lover to appreciate it! Even if you have never listened to this genre before (I am still unsure as to what "this genre" actually is!!), I sincerely appeal to you to give it a go! I promise you won't be disappointed!

If you do decide to purchase this album, and enjoy it anywhere near as much as I have, may I also recommend the Sun Bear Concerts, the Paris Concert, and Live at Carnegie Hall for more of the same! Jarrett has also played in a jazz trio, with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, and their music is also excellent. Other jazz pianists who I have found to have a similar touch include; Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans and Michael Wollny, although their music tends not to be improvised.

Happy listening!

a work of genius, 26 Feb 2007
Is Jarrett playing the piano or is the piano playing Jarrett or is the music playing both of them? This is beyond improvisation. Jarrett is responding to every note, totally in the moment.

by the way - sorry to be pedantic, but it wasn't in the opening of Carnal Knowledge (released in 1971, 4 years earlier than the concert) but in Nicholas Roeg's Bad Timing starring Teresa Russell and Art Garfunkel. That's the first time I heard the Koln Concerto and I couldn't wait till the end of the film to find out what the music was.

AWESOME, 09 Sep 2006
I am a musician and a teacher in a Special School and I have never been moved so much in the whole of my life as when listening to Part 1 of the Koln concert - it overwhelms me with emotion - wonderful awesome. Oh to the power of music.

Brilliance personified, 07 Sep 2006
This is the Keith Jarrett album that made ECM records, and I believe it is now the best selling solo Piano record ever.

The history behind this famous recording is now legendary. Jarrett hadn't slept for 24 hours prior to the concert. The wrong Piano was brought along for the event and couldn't be changed. Jarrett was kept waiting in an Italian Restaurant prior to the concert and had to bolt his food down to be back the auditorium in time.

The recording very nearly never took place, but in the end Eicher and Jarrett decided to make a documentary recording because they had already paid for the recording facilities.

The music itself is sublime. There are only 4 tracks. Track 1 is 26 mins and a marvel of improvised development. Starting in delicate minor bluesy mode and at 12 mins becoming a thunderous gospel influenced piece. I'm less keen on track 2 and 3 in which Jarrett gets into some of his repetitive grooves. There are still some great moments but as complete pieces they are a little less satisfying. Track 4 is a beautiful tune. Its hard to believe that Jarrett hadn't pre-composed this, but for those who are unaware this album and all of Jarretts solo Piano (non-classical) albums are improvised on the spot.

A bit of trivia part of the opening track was used as soundtrack music in the film "Bad Timing".



What a waste!, 24 Jun 2008
I can see how sax fans find this album a revelation but it is a stain on the track record of the Hilliard Ensemble. I can see (kinda) what the involved parties tried to do but it still is painful to listing to it and even with a lot of good will this is simply a waste of money and time. To all those admirers of the Hilliard Ensemble: Don't do it to yourself!


nauseating, 22 May 2008
This takes the cherries out of two cakes and leaves the cakes behind. They are glace cherries. Horribly sweet.

The sound of perfection, 04 Mar 2008
There are moments in life when you can become speechless,I have always liked the ethos of the ECM label,and in the the vast majority of albums they release hit such a standard that other labels can only dream of,this is aone such album.
Garbarek and the Hilliards are in a stratosphere of their own,this truly stunning album achieves a benchmark even in ECMs high standard.the music is never short of stunning with Garbarek weaving his magic spell with beautiful,gracefull and moving sounds so much so that the problems of the world seem to disapear.
The Hilliard ensembles vocal ambience was never better,and having seen Garbarek and the Hilliards perform this live in concert,this is no one hit wonder.
This album changed the way that i listen to music,if you get a chance let this into your life,soul and heart and you will feel much better for it.
The music is enchanting,haunting and beautiful,and dates from the 13th14th and 15th century and it is a credit to all performers that it still sounds fresh today,if you like this try Gothic Voices "A Feather on the breath Of God"
Buy this album and be at peace with yourself

Beautiful sounds., 16 Jan 2007
The first track on this CD takes my breath away every time I hear it. It really is stunningly beautiful.

However, if you are like the poor unfortunate "music fan" above who has become such a purist that you fail to just sit back and listen to beautiful sounds and melodies (this being after all what music is in its most basic form) then please don't buy this. No, saxaphone and choral music at first sounds like a disaster...but this WORKS. Yes, as one reviewer has already mentioned, some tracks work better than others, but music is there to be enjoyed, to be played with, to have fun with and enjoyed. I am betting the reviewer above is also one of the select few who cannot abide Classic FM because it has "commercialised THEIR music". Such a shame. Enjoy this music for what it is and if, like our friend "the above reviewer" you do not like the sound of a beautifully played saxaphone, this is fine, just acknowledge that you don't like sax music, rather than slating a talented musician.

To those who still let their ears and their hearts do the listening, rather than some pompous ideas about "knowing about music", listen to this. You'll love it.

It's how music makes you feel that really matters.Officium makes me feel just great!, 11 Oct 2006
While driving over the dreamy mountains of Leek and Buxton, I was fretting over whether or not I would get enough time to finish the job of laying a floor for my present demanding customer.I was taking those hairpins like a madman.I nearly skidded off the road and into a ravine hitting a high grass verge,which fortunatly saved my life.The car stalled,all was quiet except for a stiff breeze blowing through the open window and the radio.At that very moment a tone of emense wonderment and beauty, struck my ear, it was pure with great clarity, even angelic. Jan Garbarek was actually talking to ME,yes! directly communicating to me! Of course I did'nt know him it at the time, but his sax playing touched me so deeply it rested and stilled my racing heart. I was spellbound and was forced to listen to its magic voices right to its regretful conclusion.I sat there and made the time to reflect on what I had just heard,it took me an hour.I sedatly drove on with a smile on my face and a bent bumper,but I did'nt care.The next day I went out and purchased "Officium",(after much searching).Since discovering this masterpiece I have found it to be beneficial, in its calming influence and the best thing of all- IT'S JUST HOW IT MAKES YOU FEEL,GREAT!

My Favourite Pentangle Album, 27 Oct 2007
Of all the Pentangle albums, this is by far my favourite - if you could add Cruel Sister & Let No Man Steal Your Thyme to it, it would be perfect! Sally Free & Easy is sublime, and the only song that betters it in my mind is Willy O'Winsbury (the tune of which will be familiar to Fairport fans as it was used to set the words of Farewell Farewell to). The only song I'm not too keen on is the Lady of Carlisle, but then you can't have everything!

One of Pentangles best albums, 03 Dec 2004
In my opinion, this is one of Pentangles best albums. It's a summing up of all their earlier works, with addition of new ideas and directions.The main feature, though, is that it containes their best ever recording, a tune called "The Snows".
It's an amazing song, based on a Northumbrian pipe tune, but also obviusly related to a medieval German tune called "Winter muss hinweichen" (Winter must go away). One wonders how things would have turned out if the band hadn't split after this album.

at last a CD release, 05 Dec 2003
This album from the latter years of Pentangle is one of their very best. It was originally released during the autumn and even now, to me, it still has that autumnal feel about it. This is summed up by the wonderful version of 'The Snows', often called 'The snow it melts the soonest'. This is Bert Jansch at his very best. The whole album has a kind of haunting quality to it. A very welcome release.

Fantastic modern classic, 25 May 2004
This CD is stunning, track three blows me away. I can't express how amazing it makes me feel, buy it and listen to all of the songs. Put track three on repeat!

Hu Hai Ho to Norway we shall go, 14 Nov 2002
One of the finest Garbarek recordings that I have heard. Very distinctive stuff from the Norwegian sax man. He ploughs his own furrow much as does other sax giant John Surman. I guess a lot of it is difficult to describe as jazz music. What it is, is very, very good music. Garbarek has wonderful tone and control. His sound is unique.
Two tracks feature vocals from Agnes Buen Garnas and then Mari Boine both singing presumably in Norwegian. Very moving stuff.
Garbarek never shys away from a high register denouement to a song and that may be my only complaint.
Excellent complimentary work from Rainer Brununghaus on piano, Eberhard Webber bass, Manu Katche drums and Marilyn Mazur percussion.
Track 7, The traditional Gautes-Margjit is more jazzy. To me this interpretation seems to draw inspiration probably subliminally from John Coltrane. It is a piece of music that builds up tension and feeling with fine percussion from Katche and Mazur and some thoughtful piano. Garbareks solo is impassioned before the quieter percussion led end. My favourite track.
Huhai too is a gem including the traditional Sami joik "Oskar-An'te" highlighting a really catchy little melody.
The closing Witchi-Tai-To is a Jim Pepper composition and this reading is beautiful fitting in so well with what has gone before. A very astute choice to close this fine offering.
I guess the enjoyment would be heightened if you were surrounded by the striking Norwegian countryside that so inspires Garbarek but just close your eyes and drift away....

Sometimes words just don't do it..., 10 Jul 2007
What started life as a christmas present is one of the most honest sincere, heartfelt and musical albums I have ever heard. There is also no grunting and groaning here.
To me another huge Plus.
Enaugh said!!

A wonderful late-night disc, 03 Jul 2007
Knowing the context in which these recordings were produced (see previous review) deepens the poignancy evoked by such beautiful playing, but they stand up alone and on their own merits, from the first track to the last. There's delicacy here that's so fragile it almost hurts, but also a strength of purpose that's invigorating. As the title suggests, this is a wonderful late-night disc; personal, mellow, shimmering and very, very moving. It restores one's faith in the ability of human beings to bring meaning to our troubled world.

Perfection, 14 Oct 2006
This solo Piano album from Keith Jarrett is another reminder of the mans remarkable talents. As can be seen from the track listing these are all standards and Jarrett plays them as I have never heard him play before or since. These renditions are almost like recitals. I don't know how much improvisation there is on this album, but I suspect it is less than usual. The reason for this is that the recordings were the first he made during his recovery from the debilitating illness he suffered in the mid 1990's. In fact initially they were recorded only for his Wife and not neccessarily for commercial release.

Jarretts beautiful touch, phrasing and occasionally, such as on "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good" his marvellous improvising skills are demonstrated to great effect. Really writing about this is futile, to appreciate this great album you need to listen to it.

The beauty of stillness, 31 Jan 2006
This is a wonderfully atmospheric recording. Few things are more beautiful than an unadorned piano, and Jarrett keeps his lines simple and his focus on the melody. The results are truly lovely: this is a perfect album for dreaming, whether alone or with a lover. Its simplicity is haunting, and those who appreciate it most will understand that simplicity is the hardest thing to achieve.

Oh yes..., 31 Dec 2002
If you only ever buy two jazz albums, you should first get Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis and this one. Pour yourself a glass, banish the kids, put your feet up and enjoy. If you are not moved by any of this, you are made of stone or tone deaf.

Outside of jazz and classsical the Autumn looks great., 17 Sep 2000
On John Surman and Christopher Laurence's Coruscating, sax, bass and classical strings swoop clear and free as October skies - with no kitsch in sight this is Millennial music for our isle full of noises. Lacking the sometimes overbearing, older sister gravitas of Jan Garbarek's Officium project, and with no hint of minimalistic make-do (the music is too generous for that) there is a shy smile loose in these tunes that sounds wonderfully like the freedom for happy and sad thoughts to mingle in the smoke and the spray, not quite able to tell one another apart.

Piano playing at its best, 22 Oct 2007
I first heard this record at a friends house. I was completely blown away. I went straight to the first record store and bought it. Since then it became my favorite Jazz album of all times, and has put Keith Jarret, in my opinion, on the top of the world's greatest piano players.
I've been a fan ever since and bought every single live album he has released. They are all amazing, but there's no love like the first one.
No record collection will be complete without it.


THIS is real music!, 10 May 2007
One cannot express in words the beauty of this music. It is utterly raw, coming straight from the heart, a work of sheer genius. Whilst many pieces of so-called piano jazz easily lend themselves to the background of an occasion, the Koln Concert demands constant attention; with all of its changes in tempo, key, style and melody, the listener is enticed into the music, eagerly awaiting the next delicate keystrokes. Indeed, rather than being required to glean the often precious-few moments of brilliance from much music, with Keith Jarrett at the piano, the listener finds these instances thrust upon them every few seconds!

If you concentrate on the music for just a minute, you will find melodies which would ordinarily be the core of a piece, but which in this situation are simply played fleetingly, only to be replaced by yet another gorgeous tune.

I highly recommend this music to absolutely anyone; you do not have to be a jazz-lover to appreciate it! Even if you have never listened to this genre before (I am still unsure as to what "this genre" actually is!!), I sincerely appeal to you to give it a go! I promise you won't be disappointed!

If you do decide to purchase this album, and enjoy it anywhere near as much as I have, may I also recommend the Sun Bear Concerts, the Paris Concert, and Live at Carnegie Hall for more of the same! Jarrett has also played in a jazz trio, with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, and their music is also excellent. Other jazz pianists who I have found to have a similar touch include; Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans and Michael Wollny, although their music tends not to be improvised.

Happy listening!

a work of genius, 26 Feb 2007
Is Jarrett playing the piano or is the piano playing Jarrett or is the music playing both of them? This is beyond improvisation. Jarrett is responding to every note, totally in the moment.

by the way - sorry to be pedantic, but it wasn't in the opening of Carnal Knowledge (released in 1971, 4 years earlier than the concert) but in Nicholas Roeg's Bad Timing starring Teresa Russell and Art Garfunkel. That's the first time I heard the Koln Concerto and I couldn't wait till the end of the film to find out what the music was.

AWESOME, 09 Sep 2006
I am a musician and a teacher in a Special School and I have never been moved so much in the whole of my life as when listening to Part 1 of the Koln concert - it overwhelms me with emotion - wonderful awesome. Oh to the power of music.

Brilliance personified, 07 Sep 2006
This is the Keith Jarrett album that made ECM records, and I believe it is now the best selling solo Piano record ever.

The history behind this famous recording is now legendary. Jarrett hadn't slept for 24 hours prior to the concert. The wrong Piano was brought along for the event and couldn't be changed. Jarrett was kept waiting in an Italian Restaurant prior to the concert and had to bolt his food down to be back the auditorium in time.

The recording very nearly never took place, but in the end Eicher and Jarrett decided to make a documentary recording because they had already paid for the recording facilities.

The music itself is sublime. There are only 4 tracks. Track 1 is 26 mins and a marvel of improvised development. Starting in delicate minor bluesy mode and at 12 mins becoming a thunderous gospel influenced piece. I'm less keen on track 2 and 3 in which Jarrett gets into some of his repetitive grooves. There are still some great moments but as complete pieces they are a little less satisfying. Track 4 is a beautiful tune. Its hard to believe that Jarrett hadn't pre-composed this, but for those who are unaware this album and all of Jarretts solo Piano (non-classical) albums are improvised on the spot.

A bit of trivia part of the opening track was used as soundtrack music in the film "Bad Timing".



What a waste!, 24 Jun 2008
I can see how sax fans find this album a revelation but it is a stain on the track record of the Hilliard Ensemble. I can see (kinda) what the involved parties tried to do but it still is painful to listing to it and even with a lot of good will this is simply a waste of money and time. To all those admirers of the Hilliard Ensemble: Don't do it to yourself!


nauseating, 22 May 2008
This takes the cherries out of two cakes and leaves the cakes behind. They are glace cherries. Horribly sweet.

The sound of perfection, 04 Mar 2008
There are moments in life when you can become speechless,I have always liked the ethos of the ECM label,and in the the vast majority of albums they release hit such a standard that other labels can only dream of,this is aone such album.
Garbarek and the Hilliards are in a stratosphere of their own,this truly stunning album achieves a benchmark even in ECMs high standard.the music is never short of stunning with Garbarek weaving his magic spell with beautiful,gracefull and moving sounds so much so that the problems of the world seem to disapear.
The Hilliard ensembles vocal ambience was never better,and having seen Garbarek and the Hilliards perform this live in concert,this is no one hit wonder.
This album changed the way that i listen to music,if you get a chance let this into your life,soul and heart and you will feel much better for it.
The music is enchanting,haunting and beautiful,and dates from the 13th14th and 15th century and it is a credit to all performers that it still sounds fresh today,if you like this try Gothic Voices "A Feather on the breath Of God"
Buy this album and be at peace with yourself

Beautiful sounds., 16 Jan 2007
The first track on this CD takes my breath away every time I hear it. It really is stunningly beautiful.

However, if you are like the poor unfortunate "music fan" above who has become such a purist that you fail to just sit back and listen to beautiful sounds and melodies (this being after all what music is in its most basic form) then please don't buy this. No, saxaphone and choral music at first sounds like a disaster...but this WORKS. Yes, as one reviewer has already mentioned, some tracks work better than others, but music is there to be enjoyed, to be played with, to have fun with and enjoyed. I am betting the reviewer above is also one of the select few who cannot abide Classic FM because it has "commercialised THEIR music". Such a shame. Enjoy this music for what it is and if, like our friend "the above reviewer" you do not like the sound of a beautifully played saxaphone, this is fine, just acknowledge that you don't like sax music, rather than slating a talented musician.

To those who still let their ears and their hearts do the listening, rather than some pompous ideas about "knowing about music", listen to this. You'll love it.

It's how music makes you feel that really matters.Officium makes me feel just great!, 11 Oct 2006
While driving over the dreamy mountains of Leek and Buxton, I was fretting over whether or not I would get enough time to finish the job of laying a floor for my present demanding customer.I was taking those hairpins like a madman.I nearly skidded off the road and into a ravine hitting a high grass verge,which fortunatly saved my life.The car stalled,all was quiet except for a stiff breeze blowing through the open window and the radio.At that very moment a tone of emense wonderment and beauty, struck my ear, it was pure with great clarity, even angelic. Jan Garbarek was actually talking to ME,yes! directly communicating to me! Of course I did'nt know him it at the time, but his sax playing touched me so deeply it rested and stilled my racing heart. I was spellbound and was forced to listen to its magic voices right to its regretful conclusion.I sat there and made the time to reflect on what I had just heard,it took me an hour.I sedatly drove on with a smile on my face and a bent bumper,but I did'nt care.The next day I went out and purchased "Officium",(after much searching).Since discovering this masterpiece I have found it to be beneficial, in its calming influence and the best thing of all- IT'S JUST HOW IT MAKES YOU FEEL,GREAT!

My Favourite Pentangle Album, 27 Oct 2007
Of all the Pentangle albums, this is by far my favourite - if you could add Cruel Sister & Let No Man Steal Your Thyme to it, it would be perfect! Sally Free & Easy is sublime, and the only song that betters it in my mind is Willy O'Winsbury (the tune of which will be familiar to Fairport fans as it was used to set the words of Farewell Farewell to). The only song I'm not too keen on is the Lady of Carlisle, but then you can't have everything!

One of Pentangles best albums, 03 Dec 2004
In my opinion, this is one of Pentangles best albums. It's a summing up of all their earlier works, with addition of new ideas and directions.The main feature, though, is that it containes their best ever recording, a tune called "The Snows".
It's an amazing song, based on a Northumbrian pipe tune, but also obviusly related to a medieval German tune called "Winter muss hinweichen" (Winter must go away). One wonders how things would have turned out if the band hadn't split after this album.

at last a CD release, 05 Dec 2003
This album from the latter years of Pentangle is one of their very best. It was originally released during the autumn and even now, to me, it still has that autumnal feel about it. This is summed up by the wonderful version of 'The Snows', often called 'The snow it melts the soonest'. This is Bert Jansch at his very best. The whole album has a kind of haunting quality to it. A very welcome release.

Fantastic modern classic, 25 May 2004
This CD is stunning, track three blows me away. I can't express how amazing it makes me feel, buy it and listen to all of the songs. Put track three on repeat!

Hu Hai Ho to Norway we shall go, 14 Nov 2002
One of the finest Garbarek recordings that I have heard. Very distinctive stuff from the Norwegian sax man. He ploughs his own furrow much as does other sax giant John Surman. I guess a lot of it is difficult to describe as jazz music. What it is, is very, very good music. Garbarek has wonderful tone and control. His sound is unique.
Two tracks feature vocals from Agnes Buen Garnas and then Mari Boine both singing presumably in Norwegian. Very moving stuff.
Garbarek never shys away from a high register denouement to a song and that may be my only complaint.
Excellent complimentary work from Rainer Brununghaus on piano, Eberhard Webber bass, Manu Katche drums and Marilyn Mazur percussion.
Track 7, The traditional Gautes-Margjit is more jazzy. To me this interpretation seems to draw inspiration probably subliminally from John Coltrane. It is a piece of music that builds up tension and feeling with fine percussion from Katche and Mazur and some thoughtful piano. Garbareks solo is impassioned before the quieter percussion led end. My favourite track.
Huhai too is a gem including the traditional Sami joik "Oskar-An'te" highlighting a really catchy little melody.
The closing Witchi-Tai-To is a Jim Pepper composition and this reading is beautiful fitting in so well with what has gone before. A very astute choice to close this fine offering.
I guess the enjoyment would be heightened if you were surrounded by the striking Norwegian countryside that so inspires Garbarek but just close your eyes and drift away....

Sometimes words just don't do it..., 10 Jul 2007
What started life as a christmas present is one of the most honest sincere, heartfelt and musical albums I have ever heard. There is also no grunting and groaning here.
To me another huge Plus.
Enaugh said!!

A wonderful late-night disc, 03 Jul 2007
Knowing the context in which these recordings were produced (see previous review) deepens the poignancy evoked by such beautiful playing, but they stand up alone and on their own merits, from the first track to the last. There's delicacy here that's so fragile it almost hurts, but also a strength of purpose that's invigorating. As the title suggests, this is a wonderful late-night disc; personal, mellow, shimmering and very, very moving. It restores one's faith in the ability of human beings to bring meaning to our troubled world.

Perfection, 14 Oct 2006
This solo Piano album from Keith Jarrett is another reminder of the mans remarkable talents. As can be seen from the track listing these are all standards and Jarrett plays them as I have never heard him play before or since. These renditions are almost like recitals. I don't know how much improvisation there is on this album, but I suspect it is less than usual. The reason for this is that the recordings were the first he made during his recovery from the debilitating illness he suffered in the mid 1990's. In fact initially they were recorded only for his Wife and not neccessarily for commercial release.

Jarretts beautiful touch, phrasing and occasionally, such as on "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good" his marvellous improvising skills are demonstrated to great effect. Really writing about this is futile, to appreciate this great album you need to listen to it.

The beauty of stillness, 31 Jan 2006
This is a wonderfully atmospheric recording. Few things are more beautiful than an unadorned piano, and Jarrett keeps his lines simple and his focus on the melody. The results are truly lovely: this is a perfect album for dreaming, whether alone or with a lover. Its simplicity is haunting, and those who appreciate it most will understand that simplicity is the hardest thing to achieve.

Oh yes..., 31 Dec 2002
If you only ever buy two jazz albums, you should first get Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis and this one. Pour yourself a glass, banish the kids, put your feet up and enjoy. If you are not moved by any of this, you are made of stone or tone deaf.

Outside of jazz and classsical the Autumn looks great., 17 Sep 2000
On John Surman and Christopher Laurence's Coruscating, sax, bass and classical strings swoop clear and free as October skies - with no kitsch in sight this is Millennial music for our isle full of noises. Lacking the sometimes overbearing, older sister gravitas of Jan Garbarek's Officium project, and with no hint of minimalistic make-do (the music is too generous for that) there is a shy smile loose in these tunes that sounds wonderfully like the freedom for happy and sad thoughts to mingle in the smoke and the spray, not quite able to tell one another apart.

Just Listen....., 31 Oct 2003
Comparisons to David Gray would be valid if this album was by Elton John. Luckilly, it is not.

Ordinary Joe is a dance classic, not croontastic. And it's fantastic.

Callier has a body of work which can make you dance, or make you stop in your tracks.

Remember what Urban Species said when they sampled Candyman - Just Listen!

a beautifull soulfull folk album, 03 Feb 2002
the cloudbusting croontastic opening track, Ordinary Joe, a tune that somehow remains an absolute classic only for the lucky few who know about it, (I get the feeling that sooner or later it will go mainstream and be playing on out radios every day forevermore) gives way to a beautifull soulfull folk album I initially treated as a bonus to Ordinary Joe.
Very similar, and just as good as Davis Greys White Ladder yet 30 years old

Early Terry Callier all but ignored when first released., 19 Jun 2001
This gem was first released in the U.S. as an LP on the Cadet Label in the '70's. At the time, TC was writing songs for a number of Chicago groups, most notable penning the Dell's hit, "The Love We Had Stays On My Mind". He was also involved with the group Rotary Connection whose alumni include Minnie Riperton and Phil Upchurch. Occasional Rain is the first of his three Cadet LP's which have been reissued on CD. TC is an incredible songwriter/storyteller and truly shines on the longer cuts. His "Trance on Sedgewick Street" is a classic. For those of you familiar with TC's current work and want to get a sense of the man's talent thirty years ago, then by all means listen to his early work. Like a fine wine, the man and his music just keep getting better with time.

Sublime, 22 May 2000
The track 'Lean on me' is one of the most incredibly beautiful songs ever recorded. Worth the money alone. Terry Callier is a secret sensation.

Piano playing at its best, 22 Oct 2007
I first heard this record at a friends house. I was completely blown away. I went straight to the first record store and bought it. Since then it became my favorite Jazz album of all times, and has put Keith Jarret, in my opinion, on the top of the world's greatest piano players.
I've been a fan ever since and bought every single live album he has released. They are all amazing, but there's no love like the first one.
No record collection will be complete without it.


THIS is real music!, 10 May 2007
One cannot express in words the beauty of this music. It is utterly raw, coming straight from the heart, a work of sheer genius. Whilst many pieces of so-called piano jazz easily lend themselves to the background of an occasion, the Koln Concert demands constant attention; with all of its changes in tempo, key, style and melody, the listener is enticed into the music, eagerly awaiting the next delicate keystrokes. Indeed, rather than being required to glean the often precious-few moments of brilliance from much music, with Keith Jarrett at the piano, the listener finds these instances thrust upon them every few seconds!

If you concentrate on the music for just a minute, you will find melodies which would ordinarily be the core of a piece, but which in this situation are simply played fleetingly, only to be replaced by yet another gorgeous tune.

I highly recommend this music to absolutely anyone; you do not have to be a jazz-lover to appreciate it! Even if you have never listened to this genre before (I am still unsure as to what "this genre" actually is!!), I sincerely appeal to you to give it a go! I promise you won't be disappointed!

If you do decide to purchase this album, and enjoy it anywhere near as much as I have, may I also recommend the Sun Bear Concerts, the Paris Concert, and Live at Carnegie Hall for more of the same! Jarrett has also played in a jazz trio, with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, and their music is also excellent. Other jazz pianists who I have found to have a similar touch include; Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans and Michael Wollny, although their music tends not to be improvised.

Happy listening!

a work of genius, 26 Feb 2007
Is Jarrett playing the piano or is the piano playing Jarrett or is the music playing both of them? This is beyond improvisation. Jarrett is responding to every note, totally in the moment.

by the way - sorry to be pedantic, but it wasn't in the opening of Carnal Knowledge (released in 1971, 4 years earlier than the concert) but in Nicholas Roeg's Bad Timing starring Teresa Russell and Art Garfunkel. That's the first time I heard the Koln Concerto and I couldn't wait till the end of the film to find out what the music was.

AWESOME, 09 Sep 2006
I am a musician and a teacher in a Special School and I have never been moved so much in the whole of my life as when listening to Part 1 of the Koln concert - it overwhelms me with emotion - wonderful awesome. Oh to the power of music.

Brilliance personified, 07 Sep 2006
This is the Keith Jarrett album that made ECM records, and I believe it is now the best selling solo Piano record ever.

The history behind this famous recording is now legendary. Jarrett hadn't slept for 24 hours prior to the concert. The wrong Piano was brought along for the event and couldn't be changed. Jarrett was kept waiting in an Italian Restaurant prior to the concert and had to bolt his food down to be back the auditorium in time.

The recording very nearly never took place, but in the end Eicher and Jarrett decided to make a documentary recording because they had already paid for the recording facilities.

The music itself is sublime. There are only 4 tracks. Track 1 is 26 mins and a marvel of improvised development. Starting in delicate minor bluesy mode and at 12 mins becoming a thunderous gospel influenced piece. I'm less keen on track 2 and 3 in which Jarrett gets into some of his repetitive grooves. There are still some great moments but as complete pieces they are a little less satisfying. Track 4 is a beautiful tune. Its hard to believe that Jarrett hadn't pre-composed this, but for those who are unaware this album and all of Jarretts solo Piano (non-classical) albums are improvised on the spot.

A bit of trivia part of the opening track was used as soundtrack music in the film "Bad Timing".



What a waste!, 24 Jun 2008
I can see how sax fans find this album a revelation but it is a stain on the track record of the Hilliard Ensemble. I can see (kinda) what the involved parties tried to do but it still is painful to listing to it and even with a lot of good will this is simply a waste of money and time. To all those admirers of the Hilliard Ensemble: Don't do it to yourself!


nauseating, 22 May 2008
This takes the cherries out of two cakes and leaves the cakes behind. They are glace cherries. Horribly sweet.

The sound of perfection, 04 Mar 2008
There are moments in life when you can become speechless,I have always liked the ethos of the ECM label,and in the the vast majority of albums they release hit such a standard that other labels can only dream of,this is aone such album.
Garbarek and the Hilliards are in a stratosphere of their own,this truly stunning album achieves a benchmark even in ECMs high standard.the music is never short of stunning with Garbarek weaving his magic spell with beautiful,gracefull and moving sounds so much so that the problems of the world seem to disapear.
The Hilliard ensembles vocal ambience was never better,and having seen Garbarek and the Hilliards perform this live