An excellence Masterclass in Improvisation

by Hayo Boerema | Het ORGEL | Year 120 | (2024) | Issue 5

During the 2022 Haarlem edition of the Improvisation Competition, no prize was awarded due to insufficient quality among the participants. Instead, the prize money was allocated to educational initiatives, resulting in an “Excellence Masterclass in Improvisation” held in March 2024. During this masterclass, instructors Zuzana Ferjencikova, Thomas Lacôte, and Franz Danksagmüller taught the art of improvisation.

Ferjencikova emphasized the importance of freedom and individuality in music, Lacôte encouraged creative thinking and exploring diverse musical cultures, and Danksagmüller discussed the historical interplay between organ building and organ music. Despite their efforts, a gap persisted between the teachers’ approach and the participants’ needs. The article concludes with a critical note on the masterclass’s effectiveness, urging further development of improvisation skills to raise the competition’s level, which is crucial for its continued success.