The Sunday Listen this week is a no-brainer, and one I have already recommended to countless students.

The Köln Concert is the best-selling solo piano album in history, but more than that: it's a testament to the power of improvisation, resilience, and the magic that can happen when everything seems to go wrong.

The date was 24 January 1975, and a young, exhausted Keith Jarrett was scheduled to perform a solo piano concert at the Cologne Opera House. What unfolded that day reads like a nightmare for any musician.

Arriving after a long, grueling journey, Jarrett was horrified to discover that the opera house had provided the wrong piano. Instead of the carefully selected Bösendorfer grand, there stood a small, poorly maintained baby grand, terribly out of tune, with several sticking keys and a barely functioning damper pedal. It was practically unplayable for a musician of Jarrett's calibre.

Jarrett initially refused to play, and it was only through the persistent pleas of the concert organizer that he reluctantly agreed, on the condition that it would not be recorded (this request, fortunately, was ignored). What followed was probably the most legendary solo live musical performance of the 20th century.

Drawing on every ounce of his creative genius, Jarrett adapted his playing, focusing on the piano's resonant mid-range, creating repetitive, almost meditative vamps and drones to mask the out-of-tune notes. He infused the music with elements of gospel, blues, classical, and folk, weaving a tapestry of sound that was both deeply personal and universally accessible. The concert, improvised from start to finish, unfolded as a single, flowing narrative, brimming with melodic beauty, rhythmic drive, and moments of breathtaking introspection.

Here’s what I love most about ‘The Köln Concert’: Jarrett didn't just play despite the bad piano; he arguably played because of it, finding new ways to express himself. It’s a beautiful reminder of the human spirit's ability to find beauty in imperfection, to transform frustration into creation, and to make the unforgettable even when the universe seems to be conspiring against you.

Enjoy your Sundays all!