A well known composer and piano improviser from Novosibirsk Vladislav Potapov is going to present his new concert programme of classic improvisation on April 18th at Isidor Zak concert hall.
The genre of classic improvisation is currently considered obsolete and forgot, as Vladislav Potapov’s conservatory colleagues raise a question – is it really possible to improvise in classical music? As for the composer, he believes that no other genre can provide a performer with an opportunity to reveal his whole potential – improvisation allows showing musical competence, deep understanding of the composer’s style, technical skill and own artistic personality.
“Improvisation is the most ancient genre, for in the beginning it was the only one, and musical notation was invented significantly later. Improvisation is a key to creation, which is impossible without improvisation. Many musical pieces were created as a result of improvisation and then written down – tells Vladislav Potapov – Bach, Beethoven, Mozart – they all were great improvisers, and the concert they gave back in those times, they consisted of the following parts: first – learned material, second one was for an improvisation necessarily, it revealed the true “core” of a musician – his natural composer talent”.
Vladislav Potapov’s concert as usual will consist of two parts, one dedicated to improvisation on classical themes and another one for the art of spontaneous improvisation based on themes suggested by the audience.
Vladislav Potapov shared his thoughts with us: “A well known American musician Robert Levin once mentioned: “I’m worried about the fact that modern musicians are capable of phenomenal technique and they can perform almost any musical piece, but they don’t bother expressing themselves.” I completely agree with him; we now see how imagination is leaving music. Perhaps, this is why there’s very few contemporary musicians familiar with improvisation genre, and on the opposite, a lot of composers and luminaries of performing art that I had a chance to communicate love this genre. I reckon improvisation is the genre representing two main qualities of a musician – that feeling of freedom to express oneself and blue sky thinking”.
Vladislav Potapov. Classic improvisation concert. April 18, 7 p.m. Isidor Zak concert hall.
Tickets are available at the theatre box office, at novat.nsk.ru and with our partners.