The composer in this case was Armenian mystic George Ivanovich Gurdjieff (b. circa 1870, d. 1949), to whose philosophies Jarrett was sometime devoted. The music here dates from the 1920s, when Gurdjieff wrote with the assistance of Russian composer Thomas de Hartmann. All of the pieces bear devotional titles, and are influenced by Russian Orthodox liturgical music as well as other Central Asian religious & folk themes. Aside from that, fellow fans of Ravel/Satie will find much to love here as well. Beautiful stuff.
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pw: sgtg
Wow, had no idea this existed. Hearty thanks for the post (and all the other great ones of late too).
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. Just lat week I got a $1 vinyl copy of "In The Light" - from Goodwill...or half a copy...only the second disc. It is great...would mind hearing the first disc (hint, wink, wink, hint).
ReplyDeleteDon't have it, I'm afraid - still to take the plunge with Jarrett's composed music. Will keep an eye out for it!
DeleteThe second disc is quite good. I can recommend. I will continue to keep an eye out for it as well.
DeleteSGTG, have you come across this Norwegian doc on ECM, "Only silence is more beautiful"? Gushing title notwithstanding, I reckon it's recommended viewing for...probably the majority of your blog followers. It's from '87 and features some vintage Eicher interview + studio performances from Rypdal's Chasers, Masqualero, various 70s archive with Jarrett & Garbarek, Solstice band etc. The interviews with the locals aren't subtitled but at least half of it is in English. Worth a click for sure! https://tv.nrk.no/program/FMUS00005985/bare-stillheten-er-vakrere
ReplyDeleteHeard of it, but haven't watched, so many thanks for the link!
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