Triptykon is the fourth album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, his third release on the ECM label, and is performed by Garbarek with Arild Andersen and Edward Vesala.
Reception
Jazz historian and Jazzwise journalist, Stuart Nicholson, identified Triptykon to be one of Garbarek's top five best recordings, noting that it presented a 'radical twist' in Garbarek's musical style. This 'twist' was also highlighted in an Allmusic review by Brian Olewnick, who awarded the album 4½ stars and stating, "Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek took several intriguing stylistic turns early in his career, none more extreme than that shown on Triptykon... an expressionist trio drawing on both free improvisation and Scandinavian folk tunes, roaring, stumbling, and reeling, evoking an aural equivalent of Edvard Munch. Garbarek's work on all his reeds is assured and imaginative, even as the context is often dark and bleak... Highly recommended".
Track listing
All compositions by Jan Garbarek, Arild Anderson, Edward Vesala except where noted. "Rim" – 10:33 "Selje" – 2:16 "J.E.V." – 7:28 "Sang" – 2:45 "Triptykon" – 12:46 "Etu Hei!" (Garbarek, Vesala) – 2:20 "Bruremarsj" (Traditional) – 4:13