tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772583236226026416.post300038449163805780..comments2023-10-10T09:00:15.898-04:00Comments on Watha T. Daniel Library: Thelonious Monk, Beethoven, etc.Watha T. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07595828878230068721noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772583236226026416.post-37127488875479557292010-04-20T11:21:08.729-04:002010-04-20T11:21:08.729-04:00Bach and Beethoven were widely known as improvisat...Bach and Beethoven were widely known as improvisational marvels at the keyboard. Indeed, many themes emerge during improvisation. Bach was known to sit at the giant church organ and improvise for six hours or more. Beethoven thrilled several royal courts at exhibitions (the name recital not coming along till Liszt) which involved long improvisations on themes made up by someone in the crowd. I see this as not too different than the Notorious B.I.G. freestyling on themes shouted out by concertgoers.Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02475701714479185326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772583236226026416.post-65292858787462586882009-11-09T11:16:20.445-05:002009-11-09T11:16:20.445-05:00I've never thought of Bach or Beethoven as imp...I've never thought of Bach or Beethoven as improvisers. In my mind, they labor over compositions by candle or gas light only to reveal them - well rehearsed - in concert halls. Conversely, improvisation seems a standard part of jazz and a requirement for any serious player. Most jazz standards seem to have a structure that lends itself to improvisation. I think of them as having shorter themes that can be repeated many times emphasizing different instruments. They also "swing" - giving players the ability to play and flex a bit around the beat and with the tempo. By contrast, I think of most classical pieces having longer, more deliberate themes that are more structured and more, well, orchestrated. Even if you're talking about an arrangement that is just for an organ, I can't imagine Bach playing behind the beat or skipping notes and passages like Monk. <br /><br />So, obviously I have something to learn. Thanks for making me aware of improvisation in classical music. I'll have to check out some of your recommendations.Jeffnoreply@blogger.com