Simon Lloyd - Two-minute improvisation #8: Elegy
Best with headphones as the 16' is a bit quiet!
One of the ways I practise improvisation is by creating short, complete pieces which are under two minutes long. No timer is running; the aim is to judge the time as well as the musical material to create the piece within the time limit. This forces you to communicate your ideas directly; you don't have 5 minutes for vague development. It is an exercise in brevity.
Themes are thought of on the spur of the moment; here a three-note motif forms the foundation of a gentle, melancholic melody. The registration is:
Sw - 4' Venetian Flute
Ped - 16' Sub Bass
Further information about the 1965 Downes/Walker organ of the Carmelite Priory, London can be found here:
https://www.carmelitechoir.com/organ/
Although modest in size and somewhat quirky, the scheme is exceptionally cohesive and, helped by the Priory's wonderful acoustic, gives the impression of a much larger instrument.
Recorded with Oktava MK 012 omni microphones and a Zoom Q8.
http://www.simon-lloyd.com