Kapustin - Impromptu Op. 66/2 'Allegro Meccanicamente'
1,703 views · Published 27 March 2014 · 4:49 · Indexed 28 September 2026
Channel: Simon Piano · 2014 · Music
A sometimes mechanical, sometimes lyrical spontaneous 'Jazz' piano piece by one of my favourite composers, Nikolai Kapustin. "An impromptu ( French, loosely meaning "offhand") is a free-form musical composition with the character of an improvisation as if prompted by the spirit of the moment" (paraphrased from Wikipedia) Nikolai Kapustin (1937-) - Impromptu Op. 66 No. 2 'Allegro Meccanicamente' (1991) I've played this piece for probably half a year or so, but struggled to get a good recording, because it's really hard to play all the little details in this piece accurately in one session. The piano and recording quality isn't the best, but at least musically this is by far the best recording i ever did. There are still a few rough spots and as always after a recording, i feel like i'm already playing it much better. Maybe because i reflected more on my performance. Before i played the piece, i explained and played the major passages of the piece to the (mostly, but not completely non-pianistic/trained) audience. I got very good feedback for that, as it seemed to have helped understand and ease into the piece, and it probably helped me warm up as well. So here's a similar but more elaborate section-wise explanation of the piece: (0:01) Rhythmical pattern (A) The piece starts with a rhythmical pattern of two bars, where the second one is shifted ever so slightly by a 16th note between left and right hand. These two bars are repeated, then lead to the main section of the piece. (0:09) Main section (B) equally mechanical and rhythmically complex, but has a melody. This section will return more than once, and is in fact repeated right away. (0:44) Bridge (C) A bridge connecting to the next part, containing a repetition as well. (1:03) A' The rhythmical pattern from the beginning returns. But this time, magically, the pedal kicks in (1:08⦆ and a long melodic line develops over the rhythmical accompaniment pattern (D). This is my favourite moment in the piece. It's actually hard to play and hear this melody completely. (1:37) E A dramatic, lyrical section, that will return, too. (2:07) A The rhythmical starting pattern returns, and with it, the main section B (2:15). This time, though, it leads via a bridge (2:31) to this part: (2:34) Jazz Impro Section (F) This should sound as if a jazz pianist was improvising from the top of his head, a sequence of ideas and attacks as he's making it up playfully. So i take some liberty and spontaneity with the expression here. (3:35) E' The dramatic section from 1:37 returns, altered. (4:04) A fast-paced bridge to... (4:10) B' The main section, once again. Notice that there's a shift between left and right hand again, the right hand comes in early (4:18). Now, this motif is repeated several times in different manners, as if the pianist is saying goodbye to it, or simply exploring the options of how to vary it, slowly running out of ideas. In the end, with some resignation, tiredness or simply content, the piece ends very quietly, non-spectacularly. Kapustin doesn't end with an impressive bang, but an introspective reflection of the main section. In case you didn't notice, i'm addicted to Kapustin, and to me he is the most brilliant composer of Jazz-influenced music, ever, and i wished he was better known. Thanks for watching/reading! Disclaimer: This was not a concert setting, but an informal evening program after a big dinner, not optimal for performance. ;) Thanks to Michal for providing the recording! Mensa of Heinrich Lübke Haus in Günne, Möhnesee Interdisciplinary College 2014 22nd of March, 2014
