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Why Don't Classical Musicians Improvise?

Improvisation plays a part in almost every modern musical genre except classical music. Today on Ethercast, we learn this wasn't always the case, and why improvisation took a back seat to sheet music composing in the Romantic Era.

Music on the show:

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Fuga ricercata a 6 (from the Musical Offering)

Arr. by Anton Webern

Performed by the Royal Concergebouw Orchestra

Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

Das Rheingold (opening)

Performed by the Orchestra del Festival di Bayreuth

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Suite no 2. in D Minor BWV 1008

Performed by Yo-Yo Ma, cello

You can join the Ether Game Brain Trust on Tuesday nights at 8 clock on WFIU for Ether Game. If you know your classical music trivia, you could win a free CD!

Chris Burrus hosts Morning Music weekdays from nine to noon, and is WFIU’s Music Director.