Improvisation in classical music
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- Start Date: 13 Jun 2025End Date: 18 Jul 2025Fri (Daytime): 14:00 - 15:30OnlineFull fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00
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What is the course about?
This course is designed as an introduction to improvisation in classical music. It covers the many situations where musicians were historically expected to play beyond the written score, and how they might do so today. This includes performing cadenzas and eingangs, elaborating on repeats, creating spontaneous variations and realising figured bass.
What will we cover?
- Early music: plainsong
- Baroque music: partimenti and preluding
- Classical music: cadenzas in the music of Mozart and Beethoven
- Romantic music: virtuosic improvisations of Clara Schumann, Liszt, Paganini and Chopin
- 20th Century and contemporary practice: silent film, approaches to composition, pianists Gabriela Montero and Robert Levin.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Recognise some key improvisational styles and practices
- List some of the most significant historic and current improvisers
- Explain at least three ways in which musicians can depart from a musical score
- Apply your knowledge to improvising on your own instrument (if applicable).
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for those with some familiarity in listening to a particular composer or opera, having taken a previous beginners course, or a willingness to undertake short reading tasks between sessions. We may look at music scores and identify key features of music notation, but this will not be the main focus of the studies.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.
You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All classes, learning materials and online resources are included in the price. Those who wish to continue their learning outside the classes will be offered suggestions for further reading and listening, but this is not compulsory in order to complete the course. You will need to have bring paper and writing implements to take notes and participate fully in group activities. All presentation material will be accessible in digital format on Google Classroom.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
Lindsey Fillingham (flute, piano, chamber music and improvisation tutor) graduated with BMus(Hons) from the University of Cape Town in 2009 and went on to study in Stockholm (KMH), Manchester (RNCM), and privately with Kate Hill (RAM). She has played with the likes of the Hallé, the Cape Philharmonic, and Orchestra of the Swan in venues including Royal Albert Hall, Bridgewater Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields, has performed as a soloist with the Johannesburg Philharmonic, and broadcast for BBC’s Songs of Praise and Sunday Worship. Lindsey is carrying out PhD research at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, into group classical improvisation. She has led improvisation workshops and courses at the University of Cape Town, City Lit and Barbican’s OpenFest, amongst others. Lindsey loves performing to diverse communities, and is equally at home singing in school workshops or playing in care settings. She is a member of soundSPARK wind quartet and, with the Ashdown Duo, the Musicians in Hospitals and Care scheme. Lindsey is passionate about passing on the joy of music-making, and teaches at City Lit and Kensington Prep School.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
