Prelude to a Kiss and More shows Irène Schweizer at the height of her powers, in February 1986 in Zürich. With her exuberance, her improvisational skill, her powerful touch and her sense of style, this recording documents a climax in the pianist's oeuvre. And with its strong relationship to jazz history, the album sets an important note in the pianist's discography. In few other recordings can you hear Irène Schweizer's connection to American jazz as clearly as in this concert tape. Just back from her six-month stay in New York, Irène Schweizer played in addition to her own compositions, jazz standards by Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman, and Duke Ellington. George Lewis, trombonist and professor at New York's Columbia University, described Irène Schweizer as an "Afrodiasporic musician", and as "post-European." She did not set boundaries between jazz traditions, South-African inspiration, free jazz and European-influenced improvisation. In the physical power of the moment, which no art form achieves like free improvisation, Irène Schweizer gave expression to her lived emotion. This landmark solo recording from 1986, the year Intakt Records was founded, celebrates the Zurich-based label's 40th anniversary.

Cover art: Rosina Kuhn
Graphic Design: Paul Bieri
Photo: Gertrud Vogler, Volkshaus Zürich, 1986 Liner notes: Patrik Landolt

Live recorded on February 1, 1986, at Volkshaus Zürich. Recording produced by Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF), 1986. Licenced by Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF), 2026. CD produced by Intakt Records. Recording engineer: Peter Pfister. Mixed and mastered February 2026 by Michael Brändli at Hardstudios Winterthur. Concert organised by Fabrikjazz and Lis Horak.

Music of Irène Schweizer published by Intakt Records. Intakt Records, P.O. Box, 8024 Zürich, Switzerland.

Thanks to the Friends of Irène Schweizer and the Robert D. Bielecki Foundation for their support!