Keith Jarrett recorded Hymns/Spheres at the Ottobeuren Abbey in Germany in December 1976. The album features improvisations on the church organ, an instrument Jarrett explored for the first time on this recording.
The album consists of two parts: Hymns, which includes more structured, chorale-like pieces, and Spheres, which are free, meditative improvisations. The acoustics of the sacred space deeply influenced the album's sound.
Produced by Manfred Eicher for ECM, Hymns/Spheres is a unique work in Jarrett's discography, moving away from piano and jazz, showcasing his versatility as an improviser on the pipe organ.