Julius Eastman: The Zürich Concert - CD

Previously unreleased recordings of Julius Eastman's improvised piano solo performance in Switzerland in 1980, titled The Zürich Concert. The cassette recording, kept by a friend for many years, has now been released on record for the first time, more than 40 years after Eastman's passing.

This album features a nonstop 70-minute improvisational performance. Since the recording was made on cassette tape, there is a brief interruption when the tape was flipped. However, this too serves as a valuable document—proof that Eastman played continuously for 70 minutes.

Born in New York State in 1940, Eastman studied voice and composition at the Curtis Institute of Music. While classically trained, he pioneered new musical possibilities beyond post-minimalism as a composer and performer. He developed a unique methodology called "organic music," blending minimalism with his experiences as a Black artist and his perspective as a queer musician.

His provocative titles and politically charged concepts sometimes sparked controversy, but his work—full of creativity and innovation—has greatly influenced later artists. In the late 1980s, he reportedly faced financial hardship and homelessness, and he passed away in 1990 at the age of 49. Today, his musical contributions are being rediscovered and reevaluated.

Label: New World Records

Release Date: November 11, 2017

Format: CD