Ritual is an album of contemporary classical music written by Keith Jarrett and performed by Dennis Russell Davies on solo piano in June 1977 and released on ECM in February 1982.
Contents
Original notes
In the original notes for the CD release, pianist Dennis Russell Davies wrote about his relationship with Jarrett, his music, and how this project came about:I first worked with Keith Jarrett while conducting a program of new music with The Ensemble at New York’s Lincoln Center in 1974. On this occasion, Keith played the solo part in Carla Bley’s "3/4". Aside from his enormous improvisatory skills, I was most impressed by his love for and playing of the concert grand piano, and what I sensed was a growing impatience with the electronic sound sources that seemed poised to take over not only jazz, but so-called "serious" new music as well.
I felt that a collaboration between Keith and my orchestra at that time, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, would be an ideal way to explore the potential of combining Keith’s instrumental approach with that of a traditional chamber orchestra, particularly one with proven abilities in the music of our time.
During one of several intense rehearsal periods together, Keith—who had heard my own piano playing—mentioned a new work, "Ritual", that he wanted me to perform.