“Improvisation has a long tradition in the different arts such as painting, dance, music and literature. Homer, Goethe, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Paganini, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Picasso and Nurejev are among the most famous improvisation artists of all time. In Paris, during the 19th century, games of improvisation were very popular. The technical revolution of the 20th century, however, put an end to this form of art. Instead the desire for perfection and the ability to record music pushed the art of fantasy to the background, and that wonderful characteristic of mankind, the power to be creative, was lost.

Of course, today we still have great artists who are able to put spontaneity into their art, but they are rare. In the early 80ies, there were signs in Western Europe that as a reaction against technical skill and perfection, improvisation was once again going to take a more important place in music. Famous pianists such as Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett and Friedrich Gulda showed that in classical music as well as in entertainment improvisation could colour up music and found some interest in their audiences.

I now try to call an old tradition to new life by allowing improvisation a major role during my concerts. In recitals, I provide the audience with the possibility of suggesting themes on which I can improvise. In concertos, I improvise the cadenzas for the public to provide, I hope, a more exciting experience in the spirit of the great masters of our musical culture.”

Galina Vracheva