This CD is the first re-issue of complete Hymns/Spheres, Jarrett's remarkable series of recordings comprising ‘Hymn of Remembrance’, the nine-movement ‘Spheres’ and ‘Hymn of Release’, all recorded on the baroque organ of the Abbey of Ottobeuren in September 1976. Originally released as a double LP, the 1985 CD release was in truncated form, with only four of the original 11 tracks. Jarrett was in his 31st year when he recorded this, and on his way to jazz superstardom, having recorded Köln Concert the year before. As The New York Times said of Hymns/Spheres in 1977: “Mr Jarrett's latest release stands apart not only from his own canon but from almost every other record on the market” To argue whether this is ‘jazz’ or something else misses the point; it is fascinating, compelling and strangely haunting music that often surprises with subtle yet unexpected touches using the stops of the 200-year-old organ, as Jarrett himself explains on the LP and CD sleeve: “No overdubs, technical ornamentations or additions were utilised, only the pure sound of the organ in the abbey is heard. Many of the unique effects, although never used before, were accomplished by pulling certain stops part way, while others remained completely open or closed.” Thus Jarrett was able to utilise sliding pitches and notes beyond the tempered scale; when asked by ECM to compile an anthology of his favourite works for the label's Rarum series in 2003, Jarrett chose two tracks from Hymns/Spheres.