Spring Recital: Sonata Improv
April 25, 2010, Tabor Space
Sonata Improv is a performance of mostly classically-styled music with added improvisations. Piano accompanist was Heidi Kohne, musical director at Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church. Paul Krouss, piccolo, was our guest performer.
Each solo has been slightly modified by the performer to include an improvised section. Jazz musicians often speak of "playing the changes" on a piece of music. Changes is jazz-speak for chord structure. So playing the changes means they are improvising - or creating new music on the spot - and that music fits with the chord structure of the music.
To prepare to "play the changes" in their solos, each student did some analysis to determine what are the chord changes of their solo. Working with me, the student then selected a section to repeat. On the repeat of the section, they improvise - compose new music in the moment!
Listen to the MP3 audio files of the performers by clicking on the song title below.
Chorale #1................Crüger (1.2 MB) Peter Kurtz and Jacob Galash, clarinets
Für Elise................Beethoven (2.4 MB)
Peter Kurtz, clarinet
Nocturne #9................Chopin (5 MB)
Jacob Galash, clarinet
Chorale #5................JS
Bach (1 MB)
Meg Grace, Jacy Clare, Davis Einolf, Emily Schultz, saxophones
Gavotte................JS Bach (3.5 MB)
Emily Schultz, alto sax
Jump, Jive & Wail................Louis Prima (2.5 MB)
Davis Einolf, alto sax
Saraband & Allegro................JM Leclair (5.6 MB
Jacy Clare, alto sax
Bourée................GF Handel (3.5 MB)
Meg Grace, alto sax
Fantasies for Piccolo................Georg Philipp Telemann (6.7 MB)
Paul Krouss, piccolo
