Girl nailed it//have to imagine this is sorta what composers did at parties

[visitor]

I had it going in a completely direction than she took it in my head when i heardo the fragment
This type of thing used time be more common but now you are considered prodigious when you pull it off
[ Invalid YouTube link ]

[sumpianodude]

impressive since not many do this stuff anymore...

one thing bugs me...
that ending sounds a little bit too much like the ending of beethoven's op49/1, 1st mvt...

but otherwise this is quite impressive(and a bit enviable, too  )

[dogperson]

Alma  Deutscher is quite amazing: she has composed a violin concerto, A piano concerto, and an opera. All have been commercial performed.  The documentaries about her are well worth watching

[quantum]

It is sad that this sort of activity is not encouraged more in a lot of piano studios.  Many of the compositional devices she used are covered in beginning and intermediate theory courses.  The stylistic material is well chosen to work with improvised music - it would be familiar to a student in Grade 8 - 10 RCM range.

It is so refreshing to hear this young lady improvising.  Thanks for sharing the video.

[themeandvariation]

(Though appropriate for a budding composer), she has Mozart singing in her ear - . I always concern about the 'spectacle effect' on the young one's development..
She is delightful, and definitely connected to a strong path, and obviously talented..

Totally agree, Quantum - "It is sad that this sort of activity is not encouraged more in a lot of piano studios.  Many of the compositional devices she used are covered in beginning and intermediate theory courses."

I do wonder what would have happened though, if the notes she picked were not so 'workable' (i.e. referring directly to the {Gminor} scale.. probably set up that way, noticing the coherence of the flats..)  like say,  B A# C G#…

[visitor]

(Though appropriate for a budding composer), she has Mozart singing in her ear - . I always concern about the 'spectacle effect' on the young one's development..
She is delightful, and definitely connected to a strong path, and obviously talented..

Totally agree, Quantum - "It is sad that this sort of activity is not encouraged more in a lot of piano studios.  Many of the compositional devices she used are covered in beginning and intermediate theory courses."

I do wonder what would have happened though, if the notes she picked were not so 'workable' (i.e. referring directly to the {Gminor} scale.. probably set up that way, noticing the coherence of the flats..)  like say,  B A# C G#…

i agree w quantum's observations as well.
based on the caliber of her compositions, i'm pretty confident an quirky /unusual fragment though maybe not as developed would not have posed an insurmountable challenge to her. she's really something, i about to hit replay on some of her piano concerto

and at dogperson's suggestion, will scope out the violin concerto as well
i think she's handling the 'spectacle' rather remarkably well  

[mjames]

"used to be more common?"

it is more common now than it used to be. Improvising is not a 'lost art', it's done and taught frequently all over the place, including conservatories. You should be more specific: hardly anyone wants to spend their career improvising music from the 18th/19th century. There are much more interesting and vibrant genres to spend your time in, that includes contemporary "classical" music too.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I do wonder what would have happened though, if the notes she picked were not so 'workable' (i.e. referring directly to the {Gminor} scale.. probably set up that way, noticing the coherence of the flats..)  like say,  B A# C G#…

What a curiously thing perception is! This is my party trick, and I thought she got a bad pick and did well to find D min from it. To me, your example is obviously in Ab major with the first being a diminished chord!

[dogperson]

(Though appropriate for a budding composer), she has Mozart singing in her ear - . I always concern about the 'spectacle effect' on the young one's development..
She is delightful, and definitely connected to a strong path, and obviously talented..

Totally agree, Quantum - "It is sad that this sort of activity is not encouraged more in a lot of piano studios.  Many of the compositional devices she used are covered in beginning and intermediate theory courses."

I do wonder what would have happened though, if the notes she picked were not so 'workable' (i.e. referring directly to the {Gminor} scale.. probably set up that way, noticing the coherence of the flats..)  like say,  B A# C G#…

I think if you watch a few of the documentaries about Alma, you will also believe she more than handles the spectacle of her being a prodigy: not just piano, but violin and composition.  During her opera rehearsal, she played the piano, and directed at the same time; her confidence and aplomb made me smile.  I generally agree with your concern re child prodigies, but in this case, i have no worries.

I'm not so sure this was set up as an improvisation... do I absolutely know that?  of course not, but watching how she composes her music, I doubt this is a setup at all.  Per her dad, she was composing before she could write.

[themeandvariation]

Visitor: Yes, Now, remarkably well, of course..
Her compositions are serious.
FWIW, and argument can be made:  As a serious composer, one 'must' also evolve to understand/appreciate (not necessarily adopt)  the musical compositional conversation  Since Mozart (and before as well) .. This is one place where the 'spectacle' can have an effect on her inner ear.. Of course she may want to just continue in her Mozart.. (which could make for many very happy listeners of course, and help the industry..

[themeandvariation]

Yes, Ronde, but you translated the #'s into b's - not fair.. The 'look' was part of the puzzle..
you have a few years on her..
ps.. being that i didn't remember the 'sound' in Dm as you say, but Gm which it is.. (i checked)
But here is the tell, (unless I'm missing something) that she actually Changed the B natural to a Bflat! -  ..  (w B natural  - it is an ascending melodic minor - if started on C - a bit trickier
So…it seems that her inner ear is Already starting to censor   or - loves the 'slight of hand' trick

[keypeg]

So this is about Alma?  The video was blocked from viewing where I am, so all I knew is that it was about a "girl".

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Yes, Ronde, but you translated the #'s into b's - not fair.. The 'look' was part of the puzzle..
you have a few years on her..
ps.. being that i didn't remember the 'sound' in Dm as you say, but Gm which it is.. (i checked)
But here is the tell, (unless I'm missing something) that she actually Changed the B natural to a Bflat! -  ..  (w B natural  - it is an ascending melodic minor - if started on C - a bit trickier
So…it seems that her inner ear is Already starting to censor   or - loves the 'slight of hand' trick

I must relisten later! (I saw this a week ago or so.) Yeah I do have the advantage of a few years :p but 'not fair' I don't think.so: I think enharmonically