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I don't know of a purer example of improvisation. La Scala is another example of Keith Jarrett coming to the piano, sitting down and opening himself to the moment. It is genius at work.
Overall, however, La Scala is a real feast for the ears and for the heart. "Part II" is more angular and severe, and may make some listeners a bit fidgety from time to time. La Scala is a solo concert recording in the tradition of The Koln Concert. Of three cuts on this CD, two are improvisations ("La Scala, Part I" and "La Scala, Part II)", while the third is a free-flowing version of the Yip Harberg classic, "Over the Rainbow." "Rainbow" and "Part I" are gorgeous pieces, lush and flowing, full of wonderful melodies.
But the solo efforts are not much more than fooling around at the keyboard at home to pass the time of day (or night). Miguel of Seattle hits it on the head: mindless is just one word that comes to mind; boring, unfocused etc.As a trio and if you can stand the vocal orgasms of Jarrett the group swings.
Take it in completely--as a Wagner or Verdi Opera. However, La Scala is romance in his language. Overall, this is awesome. IMHO, this is the best music to make, hands down.However, this was recorded right before he got sick; not very easy to find and many do not know about it.
Ok, shoot me---Koln Concert isn't my favorite solo concert. It will probably break your emotions--let it. Just listen--and open yourself. To me, this just shoots Koln in the foot.
Sad--this is what started me listening to Keith Jarrett. At that point, you now have heard KJ. Why.Koln Concert is a masterpiece, full of development and extreme detail to development. To me, the first 7 minutes musically define love--and God, ".for God is Love (Christian theology)".
he has been giving concerts with a stream of shorter pieces.Anyway, with the exception of some rather long repetitive sections such as in the middle 20 minutes or so of part 1, and the atonal stuff on part 2 (which is interesting but perhaps not all that listenable), this has some of Jarrett's most gorgeous improvised piano music.If you're like me, your favorite Jarrett material sounds almost like Romantic era piano music, such as the latter half of Koln: Part II B, or Radiance Part XV as examples. I think I enjoy this tremolo style improv more than Vienna: Part 2, it seems to move around more and have more lyrical melodies.In short, this is Jarrett at his most melodic and his most lyrical.
Sometimes its great to just let him take you for a ride though. Just be patient with the repetitive sections.fast forward if you need to.that's what I do, lol.
This is, I believe, one of keith jarrett's final released recordings of his longer form improvisations. If you're patient with Part 2, you're also in for a treat as he plays one of his best tremolo style improvs in the latter half or so.
Anyway, definitely buy this album, highly reccommended for any true lover of complex, beautiful piano music. Since then on Radiance, etc.
The first bit of Part 1 of La Scala and the last bit of Part 1 are incredibly melodic, gorgeous passages in this style as well.
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