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Chorale from Piano Improvisations: Piano (Solo)

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$8.95 USD
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Chorale from Piano Improvisations Cover Image
Chorale from Piano Improvisations: Piano (Solo)

Chorale from Piano Improvisations: Piano (Solo)

By Ola Gjeilo

Item: 98-EP72561
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Description

"While my first piano album on the 2L label, Stone Rose (2007), was all pre-composed or outlined, I wanted its 2012 sequel Piano Improvisations to be completely spontaneous.

"Chorale is a transcription of a free improvisation I recorded for that album. It was recorded in one take, with no preparation or preconceived thoughts other than an idea to improvise a piece that was a pure expression of what I felt in that particular moment - which turned out to be something very slow, warm and introspective.

"Since the entire album consisted of improvisations, as well as fantasies over three existing pieces of mine, I wasn't planning on releasing the sheet music to this album. But I kept receiving emails about a score for Chorale, so I figured that was a nice excuse to produce a transcription."

Ola Gjeilo

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Additional Details
Series: Edition Peters
Publisher: Edition Peters
Page Count: 12
ISBN10: 0-57-700814-5
ISBN13: 979-0-57-700814-1
SKU: 98-EP72561

More about this title

About the Composer: Ola Gjeilo

Ola Gjeilo is a Norwegian composer and pianist known for blending classical forms with contemporary sensibilities and spiritual depth. His catalog spans choral works, orchestral pieces, and solo instrumental music, all marked by lyrical melodicism and harmonic richness that resonates across concert halls and in classrooms worldwide.

Why we love this

This piece arrives on the page as a genuine artifact of spontaneous creation, transcribed from a single improvised performance. Students and teachers both benefit from studying music that prioritizes emotional authenticity over structural convention, and the slow, introspective character offers a refreshing counterpoint to more technically demanding repertoire.

What to expect

Warm and contemplative, with the quality of overhearing someone thinking aloud at the piano. Harmonies shift subtly beneath a gentle melodic line, creating an atmosphere of quiet intimacy that feels both intimate and boundless.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced pianists seeking repertoire that values introspection and personal expression over virtuosity. This works equally well for students exploring contemporary classical writing and for experienced players looking to expand beyond the standard canon.

How to get the most out of it

  • Honor the slow tempo and allow silence to breathe. This is chamber music for one instrument, not a vehicle for speed or display.
  • Listen to Gjeilo's original improvisation if possible. The transcription captures his interpretation, but hearing how he voices the harmonies and shapes the phrasing will deepen your understanding of the performer's intent.
  • Pedal generously but with sensitivity. The warm sonorities depend on sympathetic resonance, yet clarity must never be sacrificed for wash.
  • Resist the urge to impose a rigid structure. The piece unfolds like a conversation with itself; let it meander slightly rather than drive toward predetermined moments.

How to use it

Place this in a recital program as a palate cleanser between more dramatic works, or build an entire set around introspective contemporary pieces. It also serves as an excellent teaching tool for demonstrating how strong musicianship can emerge from freedom rather than constraint.

Skills your students will build

  • Pedal control and sympathetic resonance
  • Harmonic listening and voice leading awareness
  • Expressive phrasing in slow tempos
  • Translating emotional intention into sound
  • Comfort with rubato and flexible pulse

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