The Celestial Hawk

Released in 1980 on ECM, The Celestial Hawk represents Keith Jarrett's first major foray into large-scale orchestral composition. Recorded with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Christopher Keene, the work is a three-movement suite that defies easy classification as either a piano concerto or a symphony. While Jarrett is primarily celebrated for his solo improvisations, this album showcases his 'astonishingly assured' writing for strings, woodwinds, and percussion. Biographer Ian Carr noted the presence of non-Western elements, specifically percussive figures and ostinato patterns that recall gamelan music, suggesting a global perspective in Jarrett's compositional logic. The production, handled by Jarrett and ECM founder Manfred Eicher, maintains the label's signature clarity and analog warmth, capturing the wide dynamic shifts of the orchestra. Historically, it stands as a pivotal document of Jarrett's transition into a serious contemporary composer, moving beyond the 'jazz' label to engage with the traditions of Stravinsky or Messiaen while maintaining his unique spiritual core.