the improvisation classical classes in conservatory of Paris still exist but almost only for organists. Organists never know how much time will take a ceremony at church ))) so… they are able to play variations, developpments and so on…it is part of their job.
There’s also special classes in Ircam (contemporary music mainly with any kind of computors, instruments) because most of time there are a lot of improvisation in their music (within special frames bases on sounds, math, computer programming and so on)
Concerning pure classical improvisations or variations, very often the frontiere between jazz and this kind of classical is very tiny nowdays as all great young artists have lessons in all domains (barocco, classicle, romantic, post romantique, modern, different jazz styles, ethic music and so on)
of course… many of them are focused only on a style))) but… not all
I’ll post some videos
by the way, because of all theses precious teachings, I really think young guys and girls are much better than old generations )))
ps : they are better also because of some technical improvement (silent keybooards so they can pratice with no issues with neibourhood, they can work any time via internet with others, they can record themselves and listen and so on…)
it is now integrated in lessons…
in a way, Hayden gives a lot of keys (harmonies, styles, ways to work) as these prestigious shools which are reserved to very talented people.
Here, in pianogroove… “we come as we are” ))) that is precious
I listen to a lot of Gabriela Montero’s improvisations of Bach music. Even though it’s more classical I use her as one of my sources of inspiration for some of my jazz playing (I’m a newbie so I’m humble about my jazz abilities)
I’m a huge Bach fan and also enjoy listening to the jacques loussier trio. Here is the group playing Bach’s Italian concerto. I’m learning this piece straight and I’m so impressed with what Jacques does with it and how he plays it.
I allready posted on some pieces by jaques… as he his the great master of this kind of thing.
What he does is really difficult to reproduce…
I admire him
I’m accompanying a recorder player next week. She’s playing part of a Handel concerto. I’ve got the full music but it also has the figured bass with it. It’s years since I’ve worked on figured bass but I’ve had fun trying to look at the notation and not the notes, ‘figuring out’ what the chords are. As you know, this is improvising and reading lead sheets baroque style. For those of you who might be interested the entire music would not be shown, only the bass and melody. The numbers and signs are directions and guidelines for early keyboard players eg harpsichord, to improvise around.
I’m hoping this is a photo…
Many thank’s for this !
(the “piano” part you have to play will need
quite a long time master it, not so easy to play well)
Basse continue (of continuo instruments) and the special case of ostinato is the same problem that jazz faces )))
these bass gives harmony, the same way Hayden is using a walking bass or rootless (considering a bass player would play the bass) or structuring harmony chords (especially 3 and 7 on a left hand voicing)
infact… we can consider that while playing alone, the piano is a small band of continuo instrument on the bass side and a band on the right side (choir, singers, other instruments…
))) then… the problem is to add or turn all this in a nice typical piano sound by phrasé, touch, expression))
so… Hayden… infact you’re a barroco guy who likes swing )))
ps boogie-woogie is an example of XX century Ostinato
is it Concerto grossoen si (B) bémol majeur, opus 3 no 2 , HWV 313 ?
Haendel… fantastic musician but very hard man…
allways shouting, bad tempered ))))
As I wrote, best classical improvisers on a given theme are classical organists. It is a part of their formation and that’s their job.
The funny thing is that, now, during their studies in CNSM (Paris) id that they are given any kind of style or themes including jazz classics…
That was awesome!
This reminded me that my organ tutor and I sometimes did a joint improve together. Big church organs are such fun instruments to play and wonderful for fuelling the imagination. One lesson we improvised round the James Bond theme. They are also very difficult to play. Although I’ve played church organs I am not an organist. I admit to struggling with two hands and two feet. I’ve got the music for this prelude and fugue. It’s very chromatic. Think I’ll look it out and listen again. Thanks for posting this. I’m inspired now.
With this discussion I wanted to show that improvisation on a theme is possible in any style and instrument (baroque, classical, contemporary, jazz, latino, rock, pop or ethnic…)
all these musicians are really good in harmony (not only european one), have a really good technique… and talent
harmony, technique, expression, presence and talent )))) the problem is is get a little bit of all this ))) need 200 years for me)))
Another technique is free improvisation. You are given a non Musical theme or idea to work around eg. A Haunted house or footprints in the snow. The improvisation still needs structure to it but you can create your own structure, style and harmonies or perhaps it’s atonal. I call it ‘creating a sound picture’.
good
so… let’s give a goal
“using Tenderly structure and bossa rythm + Eroll gardner mambo style, express the sensation of being bored by bad weather. this should end by hope of having funny hollidays.
ps : you have the right to include a double fugue or contrepoint theme based on a chet baker lick”
you have 25 minutes of preparation (without a piano)
Just read thru this whole thread and learned a TON! I’m not a classical pianist in anyway, so improvising on it seems particularly challenging to me. But what I wouldn’t give to hear Bach improvise a fugue; I read he did it quite often as a party trick. And also liked to spell his name out in the notes. Once they invent the time machine, that’s one of the first time/ places I’m going. This Time Machine would also be helpful to give my self a few more 100 years to practice, so that I could become an improvising classical pianist as well:) Regardless, I’m inspired to work more on the muscle memory and fingering for rootless ii V I’s, as well as do a sound picture improvisation on “Time Machine”. Thanks guys!
welcome to the club of those who need 100/200 years of practice ))))
good idea for the time machine to listen to impros (haendel, scarlatti, bach, Mozart, chopin, liszt, fauré, Debussy, peterson, and so many others )))
Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful piece. It’s very useful to have the music too. It’s quite inspiring and I think I’ll sit down at the piano with it and see what happens. I know who Poulenc is but I’ve never played any of his music. I will definitely listen to more.
I’ll also share this with my son who improvises in a classical style. I think he will love it.
