This is Robert Estrin at livingpianos.com. The question today is, can music be created instantly? Truth be known, nearly all the great composers were phenomenal improvisers. We can only imagine what it must have been like sitting and hearing Liszt make up one of his fantasies, or hearing Mozart improvise theme, variations and sonata movements with good form and beautiful architecture of melodies and harmonies. So, yes, music can be created instantly.
In this video, I’m going to create an improvisation and see what I can create for you on the spot with zero preconceived notions as to what is going to come out. I hope you enjoy!
Is improvisation dead in the world today?
Well, in classical music it’s really just a micron of the entire industry of classical music. But in jazz and other forms of music, improvisation is a vibrant art form, and the crafting of solos by great jazz artists is awe-inspiring.
So, the tradition lives on in other styles of music today. I hope you’ve enjoyed this. Again, I’m Robert Estrin here at livingpianos.com, Your Online Piano Store.
Thanks so much for joining me.
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4 thoughts on “Can Music Be Created Instantly?”
I always enjoy your improvisations. This one sounded like it had some jazz elements. Thank you for sharing once more.
I’d love it if I could see your hands when you do the opening and closing arpeggios, but the improvised part is never shown.
We always cut away from the hands on the intro and outro to the videos to show the Living Pianos logo. For years, we didn’t show the hands at all!
Thanks again, for another insightful video. I have made my living improvising in classical styles (yes, in the styles of Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, et al) as well as more contemporary (jazz & ragtime) and ‘ethnic’ styles. This has served me well in playing for dance classes, composing for dance (including scores for Martha Graham, improvised in modern styles) as well as work in theater and, in particular, silent film.
I so wish I could get someone, anyone, to accept my challenge to a old fashioned, friendly pianistic duel as the great composers would often do. So far, only one taker and he was damn good! I’ve also done a fair amount of improvisation in classical styles with a few great violinists. No plan. Not even a key or meter agreed on. But they were amazing!
Here’s a link to some stories about Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart in relation to this.
https://musicoholics.com/backstage-stories/classical-piano-duels-because-composers-have-beef-too/
I would love to “spar” with you pianistically! However, my improvisations do not imitate any particular composer. I like to let the sounds take me wherever they go!