Can improvisation once again become an integral part of classical concerts?

[opus10no2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriela_Montero

I find what she does to be very interesting and entertaining, but why isn't it commonplace?

Improvisation is a very important and compelling art form, derided by some elitists as imperfect, frivolous and unnecessary.

I think the form of improvisation that can hold most popular appeal is the paraphrase impromptu on already established popular themes. It was actually the most popular element of Liszt's concerts - well known hummable themes presented in new and exciting variations.

Why isn't this kind of thing commonplace? It's fun and can bridge a gap between popular and 'classical' worlds by introducing subtlety and complexity to an audience already familiar with the thematic material?  Personally, I see a big untapped niche here, primarily only explored by amateurs.

[thalbergmad]

I say old chap, have you been following "The Worlds Greatest Musical Prodigies" series, the last part of which is on as i type?

I thought that young pianist was a good improvisor. Cannot remember if he was the one that got through.

Thal

[lau]

it seems like some of those things were taken directly from liszt's mephisto waltz like 2:37-2:50

[ted]

I agree, opus10no2, and I think you are right about popular tunes being the most direct way for improvisation to have public appeal. Why isn't it done in classical concerts ? I don't know, I wish it were. Some of these things are simply personal habits. Social expectations, rigidity of formal musical tuition, lack of exposure to players in other genres who do improvise, perhaps fear of being thought an outsider, all probably conspire to exclude improvisation from the daily playing habits of most classical pianists. On the other hand, the more of it one does, the more one wants to do. Montero obviously established the habit of improvisation at a very early age - early enough to prevent inhibition about it setting in. An inhibited adult, however talented in other directions, is virtually impossible to get improvising. Maybe that is the key to changing things - get children improvising as an integral part of their piano lessons.

[quantum]

An inhibited adult, however talented in other directions, is virtually impossible to get improvising. Maybe that is the key to changing things - get children improvising as an integral part of their piano lessons.

Completely agree and have experienced this.  I have invited some of my classical pianist friends to join in some informal improv.  It is like pulling teeth without anesthetic.  They have convinced themselves they cannot improvise before they even try.  The mindset that music needs to be practiced and perfect has already been ingrained. 

I've also had the joy of teaching young children who love to improvise and want to learn improv skills.  One can see that both the study of improvising and repertoire complement each other. 

[quantum]

Fortunately pianists do persist:

It would be interesting to note that improvisation plays a significant part of classical organ study.

[omar_roy]

I saw the organist Cameron Carpenter perform in Corry, PA and he ended his performance with 3 improvised pieces.  The extent to which the "improvisations" he played were actually improvised, I'm not quite sure, but they were entertaining.

[opus10no2]

I say old chap, have you been following "The Worlds Greatest Musical Prodigies" series, the last part of which is on as i type?

I thought that young pianist was a good improvisor. Cannot remember if he was the one that got through.

Thal

Indeed, interesting series.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-worlds-greatest-musical-prodigies/4od
Only shows in the UK, poo.

[mikey6]

yeh, it's a shame the composer is such an arrogant nob!  And they didn't even show all of the dam piece!