“Köln 75”– How Keith Jarrett’s Performance at KÖLN Opera House Became the Best-Selling Album in Jazz History

At The Movies With…

Lady Beverly Cohn

Once in a while a “feel-good” film comes along that allows you to leave the theatre smiling and that is exactly how I felt  after a press screening of “Köln 75.” Written and brilliantly directed by Israeli-born Ido Fluk, the script is based on a true story of the legendary solo concert by jazz pianist Keith Jarrett back in January 1975 at Cologne Germany’s Köln Opera House which launched the fantastic career of the legendary Vera Brandes.

John Magaro plays jazz pianist Keith Jarrett in Ido Fluk’s "Köln 75" available after December 7th on VOD.   Photo credit: Zeitgeist Films

Jarrett, characterized by John Magaro, delves deeply into the layers and layers of both his fame as a jazz musician, but also his physical struggles. In a chance meeting, this iconic musician encounters 16-year-old Vera Brandes, who tells him she’s 25. Compellingly characterized by German actress Mala Emde, we soon join her on a roller coaster ride through her upcoming challenging experiences.  After a few drinks, she expects him to invite her up to his room, but instead he instructs her to set up a concert tour to include the famous  Köln Opera House.  Still in high school, she is obviously young and totally inexperienced as a concert promoter, but with her youthful determination and unbridled energy, which Jens Harant’s penetrating camera captures in a most visceral way throughout the film, she accepts the challenge. 

Vera Brandes played by German actress Mala Emde in a film by Ido Fluk. Photo credit: Zeitgeist Films

After being shot down each time she contacted a venue, slowly but surely Vera sharpens her pitch and ultimately, against all odds, she succeeds in convincing the head of the opera house, to say “Yes” for Jarrett’s late-night concert following the regular opera performance.  Her next challenge was coming up with the hefty security deposit to mitigate any damage caused by the volatile musician or the audience.  She is also responsible for ticket sales and publicity as well as the many other associated details. At this point, she has no idea if it will even be successful.  Now, Vera comes from an upper middle class family with parents holding traditional values.  Her dad is a successful dentist and wants her to follow in his footsteps which is the last thing in the world she wants.  

John Magaro as jazz pianist Keith Jarrett performs in the legendary solo concert at Cologne Germany’s Köln Opera House culminating into one of the best-selling solo albums of all time.   Photo credit: Zeitgeist Films

With no other options, she needs to ask her parents for the security money and the first answer is “No.”  By and by, her mom, after seeing her daughter’s picture in a local newspaper as the youngest person to book a concert, provides the money with the understanding that if the concert fails, her daughter will enroll in dental school. So, our young, determined fledgling concert promoter must now deal with the myriad attendant problems.  Jarrett arrives at the venue tired and in some pain.  He sits down at the grand piano on stage and after playing a few notes, immediately says he will not perform using that piano which he calls a “practice piano.” 

Poster Credit:  Zeitegist Films 

He demands the iconic Bösendorfer Imperial Grand instrument.  Vera’s anxiety reaches unbelievable stress levels but, with unwaivering  determination she enlists some friends to make phone calls all over the city to try to meet Jarrett’s demands. Their attempts ultimately fail and with the concert only a few hours away, she’s back to square one.  She pleads with Jarrett to let her have it tuned to which he reluctantly agrees.  Later, Vera holds her breath as he sits down at the piano, terrified it won’t meet with his approval, which thankfully it does.  Still filled with anxiety about ticket sales, she sees a poster with the words “Sold Out” and an audience line that stretched for blocks. Ultimately, our 16-year old produced one of the most historic jazz concerts in history, culminating into the best-selling solo albums of all time. 

Her career was  officially launched where she continued as a German music producer, eventually segueing into science and design, co-founding the Research Center for Systemic Musicology at the University of Salzburg where she researched  psychoacoustics and music therapy as a means toward helping people with mental health issues. Quite an illustrious career beginning when a girl of just 16 was catapulted into becoming a concert promoter. 

“Köln 75” 

A Zeitegist Films release

in association with Kino Lorber

Additional Production Team:

Edited by:  Anja Siemens

Music by:  Stefan Rusconi

                     Hubert Walkowski

Costumes:  Ola Sraszko

Running Time:  122 Minutes

Languages:  German & English

The film will be available on VOD

 around December 7th so watch

  for it.

Trailer:: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CrFdGMj4cM