Chris Jarrett - New Journeys in Saarwellingen (Live Organ Improvisations) (2021)

…This music confronts the listener with open questions and contradictions concerning human existence: it‘s comforting, then frightening, familiar and strange, harmonic and dissonant; there are quick, bright passages set above long, dark fundamentals – the music is set into frames and never completely free and atonal or chaotic.

…The organist captures and awakens the audience and then lets them relax again, he inspires reflection and creates connotations. But most importantly, Jarrett resolves acoustic irritations in a „double“ manner: in that they are consumed by more consonant chords in the short run, but are still kept alive to paint the larger picture. One of the posters in the chancel of the church fits into this concept perfectly: it displayed the words „discover the secret!“ Of course, the secret is never given away, but remains alive and suspended. One can recognize it and learn to appreciate it. Jarrett‘s music is an experience which shows us that the riddling and the mysterious in life are not only harbingers of insecurity and fear but are also gifts of enrichment and beauty for those who dare to take on the challenge.

After (the break) there is a meditative stretch: a steady rhythm is widened and begins to take off while impressions of passing landscapes, both bright and dark, enter the scene. The calm, bowever, is soon broken, as if to make up for lost time.

At the end of every journey something new begins: a new risk must be taken and with it– within the flow of events – new involvements arise. This is existential philosophy clothed as sacred music. Suspense and adventure, irritation and orientation.

Perhaps, in the end, there were more comforting passages than insecure ones after all: a strong, self-chosen affirmation of life and ones self. The voluminous, orchestral closing section was affirmative, optimistic and positive: an „amen.“ Asked how he liked his own concert, Chris Jarrett only replied, „Ich bin ganz zufrieden“ – „I feel alright about it.“

Gerhard Alt, Saarbrücker Zeitung, 20 October 2020