Improvisations intended as seeds for future work as part of the Composition for Screen course at the Royal College of Music. 

Improvisation No3

Improvisation No2

Improvisation No1

Piano improvisation over recorded sounds from nature. Thanks to Gaia for The Sounds of Nature Collection

Improvisation No4

Lost - Written at age 13 for the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. Played beautifully by the Hebrides Ensemble.

Lost - Written Age 13

Improvisation No10

Improvisation on 2 recorders played simultaneously.

Improvisation No11

Improvisation No12

Found this amongst my old works from school. Recorded using Sibelius 5.

Strathspey

Improvisation No13 - Atmosphere

Trying to evoke the sound of wind chimes through improvised piano.

Improvisation No14 - Wind Chimes

A Short Elegy For The Victims Of Flight 4U 9525

Improvisation No15

Improvisation No16 - Rebirth

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-eoxi4wsHM

The inspiration to create the music for this video came from a combination of the visual landscape, the expressive sound of the Shakuhachi flute and the art of Japanese Noh Theatre. In an attempt to mimic the aspirated sound of the Shakuhachi flute, which is an instrument rich in overtones, I recorded myself playing a Renaissance G-Alto Recorder with extended instrumental techniques. The reason for choosing this instrument was that it has a wide bore and large finger holes which gives good control in pitch and dynamics. As a result it was possible to produce a wide range of different timbres. 

The recording device itself was a PCM-D50 with stereo condenser mics, placed inside a grand piano. The sustain pedal on the piano was held down such that the natural harmonics of the live instrument were reinforced by the piano strings. This natural reverb was combined with a convolution reverb based on Swirling Tails within Logic’s Sound Designer.

It was my intention for this composition to sound organic so the music was based on a set of stems combined with improvisation. The opening was intended to sound commanding with a sharp attack, as might be found in Noh Theatre, but also mysterious in order to reflect the cloud of mist obscuring the mountains. This element of mystery was brought out through use of rubato, leaps, glissandi and false endings. If you listen carefully, bird-like cries can be heard echoing through the mountains interspersed with a silence clouded only by resonating piano strings - evoking the heavens above. As the mist obscures our view of this alien landscape, multiphonics and harmonics are used to colour the sound. Then as it clears, we resolve once more to a pure sound. 

YouTube Video

Between Heaven And Earth - Zhangjiajie (China)- Watch on YouTube

Improvisation No17 - Divergent Paths

Born in Scotland and raised in the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica and Honduras, I enjoy adventures both close to home and in far away places. Composers which have inspired me include: Michael Nyman, Ludovico Einaudi, Arvo Pärt, Eric Whitacre, Thomas Newman, Alexandre Desplat, John Williams and Philip Glass. 

I find music can express much more than words alone. Improvising on the piano somehow feels like the most natural way to express my feelings. 

No matter where you are from or what language you speak, music is universal.

Through my endeavours, I have been fortunate enough to have received several music awards including from the EMI Sound Foundation, the Worshipful Company of Leathersellers, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Awards for Young Musicians, the Musicians Benevolent Fund, the Walter Bergmann Fund, the North-East of Scotland Music School,  the Robert Nicol Trust, the Dr John Calder Trust and the Cross Trust.

I also work as a private tutor. In case you would like to arrange a lesson, please follow the link below:

https://www.renaissancetutors.com/

Dmitri Olayzola

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