Description
Keith Jarrett – Budapest Concert – Double Vinyl Record
Released on October 30, 2020, Keith Jarrett’s Budapest Concert is a stunning live solo piano performance that showcases the legendary jazz pianist at the height of his creative powers. Recorded on July 3, 2016, at the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall in Budapest, this album captures one of Jarrett’s final live performances before he experienced a series of strokes in 2018 that have left his future as a performer uncertain. Known for his groundbreaking solo piano improvisations, Jarrett brings a sense of profound introspection and emotional depth to this concert, making Budapest
Budapest Concert is part of Jarrett’s tradition of solo improvisational concerts, following the blueprint established by his legendary The Köln Concert (1975), where he improvises entirely new music on the spot. Throughout the performance, Jarrett weaves together elements of jazz, classical, blues, and gospel, creating a spontaneous and emotionally charged narrative that unfolds over the course of the two-disc album. His ability to blend these diverse influences into a seamless, coherent musical journey is a testament to his genius as both a performer and composer.
Keith Jarrett’s solo concerts have been a defining feature of his career, with each performance being a completely improvised exploration of musical ideas, moods, and emotions. Starting in the early 1970s, Jarrett pioneered the concept of long-form solo piano improvisations, blending elements of jazz, classical music, and world music into deeply personal, spontaneously composed pieces. These concerts have earned him widespread acclaim and established him as one of the most innovative and influential pianists in modern music.
Budapest Concert was recorded during Jarrett’s final European tour, and it holds particular significance as he has described it as perhaps his “gold standard” performance from that tour. The concert features Jarrett engaging in deep musical introspection, with long stretches of meditative playing punctuated by moments of rhythmic energy and harmonic complexity. Like many of his solo performances, the concert is presented as a series of “Parts,” each one representing a different improvisational exploration.
Budapest Concert spans a wide range of musical styles and emotions, from delicate, lyrical passages to powerful, virtuosic bursts of energy. Jarrett’s ability to shift seamlessly between contrasting moods and textures is one of the defining features of the album, creating an emotionally dynamic and musically diverse experience for the listener.
As with many of Jarrett’s solo performances, Budapest Concert reflects his deep roots in both classical music and jazz. His improvisations often evoke the harmonies and textures of classical composers like Debussy, Bach, or Chopin, while his rhythmic freedom and harmonic adventurousness are firmly rooted in jazz tradition. This blend of classical formality and jazz spontaneity creates a sound that is uniquely Jarrett’s, with moments of serene beauty followed by bold, unpredictable improvisation.
Much of the concert has a contemplative, introspective quality, with Jarrett often using space and silence as effectively as his notes. Tracks like “Part IV” and “Part VI” feature quiet, slowly unfolding melodies that seem to explore deep emotional or spiritual themes. The music’s meditative quality invites the listener into a space of reflection, with Jarrett’s subtle dynamics and phrasing creating an intimate, personal atmosphere.
While much of the album is reflective, Jarrett also introduces moments of rhythmic intensity and playful energy. Pieces like “Part III” and “Part VII” showcase his remarkable ability to build tension and momentum through rhythmic complexity and harmonic movement. These sections bring a sense of contrast to the concert, providing exciting, driving moments that punctuate the more introspective passages.
As with many of Jarrett’s solo works, Budapest Concert feels deeply personal and spiritual. His performances are often described as spiritual journeys, and this concert is no different, with the music often moving through stages of reflection, emotion, and catharsis. The improvisational nature of the performance means that Jarrett is reacting to the moment, allowing the music to unfold naturally, with no preconceived structure or plan.
Much of the music on Budapest Concert seems to touch on themes of longing, introspection, and spirituality. Jarrett’s slow, lyrical improvisations evoke a sense of searching or yearning, while his more rhythmic, energetic sections convey a sense of joy or release. This emotional range is one of the hallmarks of Jarrett’s solo performances, and it is especially pronounced in this concert.
Each “Part” of the concert represents a new exploration, with Jarrett building musical ideas and then developing them in real-time. There is a sense of discovery in the music, as Jarrett moves between ideas, sometimes settling on a theme for several minutes before abandoning it for a completely different direction. This spontaneity gives the concert a sense of unpredictability and excitement, as the listener is never quite sure where the music will go next.
Notable Tracks
“Part III”: One of the more rhythmically driven pieces, “Part III” showcases Jarrett’s ability to build intensity through complex rhythmic patterns and harmonic development. The piece moves between moments of tension and release, with Jarrett introducing unexpected shifts in dynamics and texture.
“Part IV”: This track is one of the more contemplative, lyrical sections of the concert. Jarrett’s delicate touch on the piano and his use of space create a deeply reflective atmosphere, with the music slowly unfolding in a meditative, almost spiritual manner.
“Part VII”: A standout moment in the concert, “Part VII” features some of Jarrett’s most energetic and playful improvisation. The music has a sense of forward momentum, driven by rhythmic intensity and harmonic complexity. It is one of the more extroverted pieces on the album, providing a contrast to the quieter, more introspective sections.
“Part X”: The final track of the concert is a short, elegant coda that wraps up the musical journey. Its gentle, melodic simplicity stands in stark contrast to the more complex and dynamic pieces that precede it, bringing the concert to a peaceful, reflective close.
Budapest Concert was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many reviewers praising Jarrett’s ability to continue delivering profound, deeply emotional performances even late into his career. Critics highlighted the album’s mix of meditative beauty and rhythmic intensity, as well as Jarrett’s remarkable ability to maintain focus and creativity throughout a long, improvised performance.
Given that this concert took place shortly before Jarrett’s health issues forced him to step away from performing, Budapest Concert is seen as one of the final testaments to his unmatched skill as an improviser. It stands alongside his other live recordings, such as The Köln Concert and La Scala, as one of the defining examples of his genius in the solo piano format.
Budapest Concert is a powerful and moving document of Keith Jarrett’s extraordinary talents as a solo improviser. The album captures the full range of his musical personality, from delicate, lyrical passages to bold, rhythmic explorations, all delivered with the spontaneity and emotional depth that have become hallmarks of his career.
For fans of solo piano music, jazz, or simply profound, introspective music, Budapest Concert offers a deeply rewarding listening experience. As one of Jarrett’s final live recordings, it serves as both a testament to his unparalleled legacy and a reminder of the beauty that can emerge from the art of improvisation.
Recorded live July 3, 2016 at Béla Bartók National Concert Hall, Budapest
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Budapest Parts I-XII
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
Part VII
Part VIII
Part IX
Part XI
Part XII – Blues
Encores
It’s A Lonesome Old Town
Answer Me, My Love
