Ralph van Raat
Hypnotic Improvisation | The Köln Concert
Dutch pianist Ralph van Raat performs Keith Jarrett's The Köln Concert in a personal interpretation. With respect for the original and his own signature, he makes a great impression.
Dutch pianist Ralph van Raat captivated audiences with Keith Jarrett's Köln Concert. In doing so, he achieved a magnificent balancing act. The audience honored him both before and after the concert.
Jarrett's original concert from 1975 was a fortunate musical hit, born from an out-of-tune piano, a sleepless night filled with back pain, and a very young organizer. The concert became a makeshift solution. After hours of delay, Jarrett decided to creatively incorporate the technical limitations into his improvisation, making it legendary in the process. Although improvisation is by definition unrepeatable, Jarrett's moment was completely transcribed and published by Schott Music. It has since been regarded as one of the most important piano works of the 20th century.
Van Raat succeeds in finding a magnificent balance between the original and his own interpretation. Not slavish imitation, but a rediscovery: he lends Jarrett's improvisation an almost mesmerizing, contemplative aura.
Website: Ralph van Raat
