Luminessence: Music for String Orchestra and Saxophone in Bloomington, MN

Keith Jarrett
does not actually play on this CD; rather, he composed three angst-ridden pieces of varying lengths for string orchestra, over which
Jan Garbarek
improvises on tenor and soprano saxes. The concept is not unlike that of
Stan Getz's
Focus
, but this music is far more static, downcast, and free of the pulse of jazz. As was characteristic of his writing then,
Jarrett's
string parts are mostly turgid and thick-set, indulging in weird, sliding microtones on
"Windsong,"
weighted down by some kind of emotional burden. Particularly when delivering piercing sustained notes on soprano,
Garbarek
often sounds like a native of the Middle East. The strings are from
the Stuttgart Radio Symphony
, led by
Mladen Gutesha
, who faithfully executes
dolorous wishes. ~ Richard S. Ginell