IMPROVISED MUSIC BY PROF. DR. JOHN MORTENSEN (USA)

2018 April 12, Thursday, 16:00

LMTA Juozas Karosas Hall (Gedimino Ave. 42, Vilnius)

LECTURE OF PROF. DR. JOHN MORTENSEN “CLASSICAL IMPROVISATION: HOW IT WORKS, WHY IT DIED, AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT” 

Find out more about the lecture

John Mortensen is internationally recognized as a leader in the revival of classical improvisation, the system of musical thinking that allows performers to create complex works in real time. In concert Mortensen regularly improvises complete fugues and other pieces in 18th century styles. He appears frequently as a concert artist and masterclass teacher at colleges and universities in the USA and overseas.

His forthcoming book, The Pianist’s Guide to Classical Improvisation, will be released in 2018, and will be the only comprehensive, modern method on classical improvisation for the advanced pianist. His students learn a natural and coordinated approach to piano technique, which prevents injury and allows for unprecedented freedom and facility at the keyboard. Mortensen is committed to educating young musicians for the 21st century and places special emphasis on developing courses that bring improvisation back to the standard college music curriculum.

His publications appear in International Piano, Clavier, College Music Symposium, Piano Pedagogy Forum, and American Music Teacher.

A Steinway Artist, he now serves as Professor of Piano at Cedarville University. In 2016 he was named Faculty Scholar of the Year, that institution’s highest award. [cedarville.edu]

Teaching visit of Prof. Dr. John Mortensen is supported by the Baltic American Freedom Foundation (BAFF).