Chris Jarrett – New Journeys – Organ Improvisations
Before 2014, I rarely had the opportunity to play the organ. Apart from two one-off solo organ works and parts of my oratorio ‘Erlösungen 3?’ (Redemptions 3?), I almost never sat at a church organ. But on 11 July 2014, I embarked on a new journey when I began experimenting with the improvisational possibilities of an organ. A new world opened up, a new journey began.
Since then, this adventurous journey has continued, each instrument a new world and a new journey in search of a new fusion of sound and expression. No two concerts are alike. Only the title remains: ‘New Journeys’.
"The musician pays tribute to the grandeur of this majestic instrument, which occupies the space between divinity and humanity. Contrasting timbres are used to achieve intensely dramatic effects, or dissolved into quasi-pastoral modulations and then disrupted by machine-gun-like sounds or notes that fly like a flock of birds. Pre-classical interludes with a ceremonial dance appeal develop into apotheoses of sound reminiscent of biblical trumpets, but can also drift towards rhythmic impulses that have ‘swing’." (Virgil Mihaiu, Romania Literara, 9/2024)
"Journeys through time and space. His journeys are at the same time explorations, not only of the instrument he plays, but also of moods and states that arise in Jarrett's engagement with the world, society and history. Jarrett showed that he also has a masterful command of sonorous chord sequences." (Die Rheinpfalz 4/2025)
