Is there a formula for a festive hit melody?
Is it even the melody that makes the hit? Is there a set of steps that composers and songwriters follow in order to write a tune that will bring in the royalties, every December, like clockwork?
There are no festive hits by Rachmaninov but…
I improvise on a tune that might be familiar in December!
My turbulent improvisation on Pianoteq’s Bluethner
In this video I talk about how improvising on the piano can be a cathartic and meditative experience and I improvise some stormy, turbulent music on Pianoteq’s Bluethner.
Pianoteq’s new J. Salodiensis Virginal 1600
In this video I play with futuristic transformations to the Pianoteq’s new J. Salodiensis Virginal 1600 after performing a short piece by Frescobaldi using the instrument in its original faithfully reproduced form.
Improvisation in F-sharp minor
In this little film, I say a few words about my process as an improviser, then perform a melodic and accessible unplanned improvisation in a contemporary classical style.
Dark Clouds in June – spontaneous piano improvisation
This spontaneous improvisation has a wistful feeling with its modal tonality: the sun should be shining in June and on such a gloomy day, a little improvising on the piano can bring a little warmth and comfort… I will feature it on my album of 16 unplanned improvisations, which will be released in a few weeks’ time.
Nocturne No. 11 in G minor by Phil Best from album ‘Nocturnal’
My Nocturne No. 11 in G minor is one of the 11 Nocturnes that feature in my forthcoming album ‘Nocturnal’ to be released on February 18th. The album version is the original unplanned improvisation, but having created a score, I play it for you here.
Improvisation – Before Dawn
Another unplanned improvisation – this time tonally simpler, diatonic, very minor with a dark and wistful mood.
Improvisation – Why say such things?
This is an unplanned improvisation. I’d been pondering what a pointless charade politics can become with individuals scoring points off each other rather than using intelligence to find solutions.
So the darkness of the mood and the twisted nature of the complex, jazzy impressionistic tonality arise as my feelings of disappointment and resentment are untangled and resolved by musical patterns, easing my mind.