Answering Your Questions | Part 1

[@AlmaDeutscher]

Thank you for all your wonderful questions. I’m answering a few here. Please do keep sending them in. Subscribe: kzbin.info

[@lily5681]

This really opens our eyes to the inner workings of how things work, thank you for making this. There's a stark difference between the words 'prodigy' and 'genius.' Prodigies can very quickly learn what other people have already figured out; geniuses discover that which no one has ever previously discovered. Prodigies learn; geniuses do. -john green alma is alma, not a second Mozart, and also a very inspiring genius.

[@romanlightman9045]

😍👍🔥

[@anitabenitalenzeble4947]

Vielen Dank, Both of my parents came from Germany, Stuttgart and Gedansk I have been playing piano and violin for decades. You are one of my top „super Musik children I love to listen to💐🫶

[@louisegogel7973]

0:33 What a delightful first piece to have composed, Alma! And that at four years old. I love it! 1:28 The Emperor’s New Waltz is the current piece Alma is working on. 1:50 How long does it take for Alma to write a composition… “well, how long is a piece of string? It really depends on the composition.”. Cinderella five years on and off so far, Emperors New Waltz will likely be two and a half years. An opera is really a huge work. Starting a new opera is practically overwhelming and takes a lot of encouragement, with a theater director really really insisting wanting it, for Alma begin to write it. On the other hand composing a little piano piece etc can be written right on the spot. A dance or a polka might take an afternoon. 2:50 Can improvisation be learned? “Yes, I think the key is to be really comfortable with harmony.” Alma learned with a system called Partimenti. 3:05 Alma is dreaming of starting a school to help people learn the Partimenti improvisation system … in a beautiful castle! In the mean time, Alma plans to make instruction video on KZbin.

[@fiberfancies]

I love the sweet melody you played in the beginning of this video! All of your music is wonderful, Alma. Thank you!

[@LeoYuanX]

Feeling so excited, honored, privileged to hear the talk from this legend-to-be. Thank you for hosting a youtube channel so we get to see you and imagine what other musical legends was like.

[@yasmin_piano]

I second the Partimento comment. We'd love to know what your personal experience was with learning Partimento and with the guidance of Robert Gjerdingen and with Tobias Cramm. How has it helped you with your compositional development and what were the main influences you took from it? When composing now, is Partimento relevant or a forethought to how you structure your pieces now, or is it more of a subtle influence you don't think about/in the background as you've developed it into your own process?

[@nikosoikou4649]

Exactly what I had in mind, I couldn't have it said it better myself. Thanks

[@stefan4159]

Thank you for all the music you've been working on, Alma. Loved your compositions since I saw the "60 Minutes" video!

[@wolfgangamadeusmozart8190]

Hi Alma! I'm a bit younger than you a and I'd like to be like you! I play the piano and the flute, but I'm not even close to your level! I hope one day I'll play the piano like you do and also compose beautiful pieces (I've written a piano concerto but it's not very good 😅). Please, continue to post beautiful videos like that!

[@paopis]

Keep practicing, Wolfgang..

[@foredee8496]

damn even mozart's a fan...

[@patriciademol2299]

Oh, I'd love to study composition and improvisation with you...and in a beautiful castle... It sounds like a fairy tale! I'm 66 and living in Italy so the probabilities of this coming true are very few but anyway it's great to dream of it. Love from Italy!

[@FocusMrbjarke]

I would love to do the same. Studying composition with a master in the field is a dream.

[@louisegogel7973]

Never shut the doors to your beautiful dreams and wondrous fairy tales. When you enjoy those dreams and let them come or not as they may without expectation positive or negative in any direction, then they most often then surprise you with how things develop in your life! Maybe Alma will find a castle near you to build her wonderful school!

[@AP-pb7br]

I asked about partimenti! I'd love to know more about it. Wouldn't it be lovely if children could learn to compose like you did? Sure, most children won't go on to do what you are doing but they would develop a deeper appreciation for music if they could compose some! I am currently pregnant with a baby girl that I hope will love music as much as I do and more and I would love to see your videos soon. Meanwhile, she's been listening to your opera and concertos in my womb :)

[@B1811-g1e]

Listen to some interviews with Robert gjerdingen on KZbin. Buy the art of partimento by Giorgio sanguinetti. Buy music in the galant style by Robert gjerdingen. Robert gjerdingen was involved with alma’s mentoring from a young age and he set her on course with a great teacher.

[@sabahattinsakman7985]

One prerequisite for such geniuses to flourish is not to send them to modern Western schools that kill curiosity, creativity, sincerety. Homeschool them after the curricula of any Western school that existed until very early twentieth century.

[@AP-pb7br]

@@B1811-g1e wow, thank you!!!

[@AP-pb7br]

@@sabahattinsakman7985 yes, totally partial to homeschooling! Oh, how nice to find like-minded people!

[@anniejoy7811]

Thank you for answering these questions, Alma! I have another one: Is the sheet music for your violin concerto available for purchase anywhere? The idea of starting a school for music and composition in a beautiful castle somewhere is delightful! I hope you do one day :)

[@GeordieMac]

Hi, Alma! It's so great and such a treat to get more videos from you of late. I'm so interested in everything Alma! Thank you.

[@TheDavinci2012]

Alma, while watching your videos I can't stop smiling, because you radiate joy :) - I pray that you may never be discouraged!

[@santiagomendesesteves3511]

Thank you, Alma. You are a gift to society!

[@fathersweek]

I’m glad to see you are posting more and sharing your talent and insight with the world. You’re an inspiration to many.

[@louisegogel7973]

I agree! It is so wonderful to hear from our delightful Alma.

[@cristinapopa-degreef7638]

Hi Alma, please go on and write, play beautiful music!!! I am very happy that you think in this way. A lot of joy and success further, with beauty coming from the deepest part of the heart!

[@sasatoy]

Thank you for answering our questions and sharing your thoughts! 😊 Really love your dream of having a school IN A CASTLE 😉

[@Mezilesialan]

This is an enjoyable conversation. I look forward to hearing how you use harmony to improvise , starting with a lovely melody. Thank you Alma. Alan

[@vessiealdakou2292]

Thank you for taking time to answer Alma! We all love you❤️

[@YYEEIISSOONN]

Always is a joy to hear you Alma. You honor your name. The soul of the day.

[@eringoodison8297]

You are such an inspiration Alma, at the moment I only transpose folk music to be played on "classical" instruments (which I love to do) yet I have never properly composed my own music. I look forward to the instructional videos!

[@folwr3653]

Dear Alma, I wish you all the best with your new opera. I was very impressed by your first version of Cinderella and even more by the later versions. So I can’t wait to hear your next great work!

[@fepeerreview3150]

The Emperor's New Waltz, an opera! It's as if all of 18th century Austria has reincarnated in the spirit of this astonishing young woman. Alma, I'm grateful that I live at a time when can I can share this planet with you and watch your growth. I'm working hard to have a beautiful castle! Now I know what to do with all the extra space I will have in it.

[@raycornford283]

Always a pleasure to listen to you, Alma, whether you are speaking or playing. Can't wait to hear the new opera (next year?)

[@dolvaran]

Sadly, I don't have a castle for you, but I am really looking forward to your instructional videos. Thank you for the music!

[@Alexander-bq3wr]

What a wonderful piece you played in the video. Thank you for answering our questions. Looking forward to hearing that opera - 'The Emperor's New Waltz'..

[@judithbaney1483]

Thank you for the many hours of entertainment. You are so graceful, elegant, and brilliant. The world is blessed by your presence and talent. God bless.🙋‍♀️🙂

[@jimwinchester339]

Can't wait for the more interesting questions. Wouldn't miss it for all the tea in China.

[@musicbee8861]

Keep up music Alma❤ I ve been following you for a long time and am amazed on how much you've grown musically. Your compositions are so beautiful

[@rohitborooah4695]

Yes, there’s a beautiful castle just outside Perugia, Italy. And I hear that it’s currently on sale. Want me to find out how much?

[@ItIsJustJudy]

You are such a lovely, talented young lady. Thank you for blessing the twenty first century with beautiful music. 💐

[@mvmarchiori]

Alma, you're an inspiration to us all and give us hope for a more beautiful future.

[@nicolecoburn8365]

Thank you Alma i have followed your career for years you are a true prodigy. Your gift is wonderful I have grown up with classical music my father plays the cello i would go to the concerts as a little girl. You are so humble I love that you want to keep the beauty of classical music alive my favourite era is the Baroque period . I have heard you play piano violin sing your opera Cinderella many adults could study for years and never achieve your level of expertise in musical composition.Thank you bringing beauty to this world with extreme grace and talent

[@aidanmfeeneycomposer8737]

Wonderful video, Alma! I especially found your comments on improvisation to be quite relatable. I taught myself to improvise (and compose) classically at the piano and I wholeheartedly agree with your suggestions for learning to improvise, especially being comfortable with harmony; that, I think, is one of the most important keys to the skill of improvisation.

[@lucasvieira3660]

Alma, I'm getting to know your work, and it's amazing. "The Chase" and "For Antonia" are among my favorites. Please, continue to delivery great music, the world is in need of this.

[@darielpiano2585]

Thank you for this video, I was hoping it would be longer, seem there is much more on those pages :), will have to wait for the next one!

[@relaxedorange5910]

This is delightful! I’m sorry I missed my opportunity to ask a question. I love “worldbuilding”, and I’m very curious about your imaginary world of Transylvanian. Do you still do there in your mind? Are you planning any books or other projects that describe that setting?

[@keytibayan]

WOW. She composed that when she was four? Bow down. Truly amazing.

[@tttyyycc4176]

I truly love you Alma

[@memmar1]

Thank you for posting. I truly appreciate you

[@alexmauger4533]

Thank you for this video answering questions! I can't wait to hear your new opera!

[@renocampo117]

I can't wait for those videos about partimenti!!!

[@peopleddiagram2920]

Alma composed that exquisite piece when she was just 4. OMG, Her deft little fingers negotiating the intricate keys of the piano, as I at the same age, was struggling to tie my own shoe laces,!

[@keithtinkler4073]

The earliest piece I recall hearing on KZbin is the exquisite "Lied", 1.40 minutes July 2010

[@jasminhacker7243]

You are a genius and the best thing you could do is to enjoy your life with this beautiful art called music. Thank you for all of these fine gifts which you will preserve for future generations💐

[@harryjamessmithmusic7762]

Alma, you're a national treasure! Brilliant artist!!! I love your music! Fantastic job!

[@rosemaryraplar8]

Keep up your great work! We are enjoying your many talents! 🤗

[@jlboul]

Any enlightening words of your musical experience is quite enjoyable.Thank you.

[@lovi7810]

Alma you are inspirational. I always listen to your compositions on spotify. Love from the Philippines!

[@NomeDeArte]

Thank you Alma for all your answers! Best wishes from Argentina

[@debbiewatermelon]

Awesome. I wish I could live to hear all the new compositions and hear from new composers. At 65 it's my ultimate task! Share share.

[@gruenewolke]

Thank you, Alma! I play the cello and the violin, but playing the piano is a fight with the fingering for me. Much more difficult than the string instruments. It would be so great if you could say something about what piano approach would be helpful!

[@FocusMrbjarke]

I find it to be the opposite. Piano is much easier than string instruments. But the key thing as with other instruments is just to practice slowly, play correctly.

[@gruenewolke]

I think, it’s also about with which instrument you started. I started with the cello 🙂🎻👍

[@everab1209]

String instruments often just play at much 2 melodic lines. Maybe that is part of the issue?

[@clearandbright2685]

Dear Alma, please compose a ballet. This art was very much hurt during the "'pandemic," and must find a revival. Thank you for these informal videos, we can learn so much. I love your clothes! I'm sure you could open an online boutique! Thank you for the children's piano music book: the pieces are so pretty, it is well done. Keep on keeping on! Love to you and your family.

[@rickcaruso7351]

I just bought your “Melodies” album off of i-tunes. It is beautiful and I have listen to it about 20 times. I sit in my library with a good book and a Cuppa English breakfast tea. Then I find my self being quiet and then listening to your beautiful music. It captivates me.

[@jakegearhart]

_After you're done working on your operas, do you think you'll ever delve into trying to write for a film?_ - It's a whole different experience writing for something with time constraints. The music is sometimes more difficult to write, but it allows you to be exactly sure of what visual cues accompany your music at any given point in time. - I saw this wonderful edit on KZbin of part of your 'Dance of the Solent Mermaids' put over an Indiana Jones action scene: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXbIlqxnpbKnqpY A maniacal major chord lands right as a ship explodes which is an effect I'll certainly keep in mind when writing my own music for film.

[@kchowkhani]

Thank you Alma. I am a big fan of yours from India, and you are my favourite contemporary composer. I would love to learn more about improvisation because I too improvise on my keyboard a lot and post them on my KZbin channel. I'm not a professional musician, but I absolutely love it, especially Western Classical music.

[@lucassoaresdepaula9058]

Simply Alma Deutscher! No other words.

[@pickngrin73]

You.are truly an inspiration! Thank you!

[@raea3588]

Thank you lovely Alma!

[@emile_fa]

So happy to hear you back!

[@nathanaelleofficial1863]

Dankeschön liebe Alma!

[@amaelriesterer1421]

Girl u're sooo extra😂 especially the castle thing xD I'm loving it!

[@ynsn4344]

Thank you for your answers! They are very inspiring to me, and I hope that I will one day be able to compose as you do ^^

[@rolandsartoris785]

Dear Alma, Congratulations for attending MDW. I have some questions: - You already told that Mozart was your favourite model to write your opera but what is your opinion about Wagner or italian composers Donizetti, Verdi... ? and Richard Strauss compositions (Wiegenlied) ? - Do you intend (someday) to compose on a religious theme (psalms, or an opera on a biblical character for example) ? Can jewish folklore (and even its oriental scale) may be a source of inspiration for you ? Best wishes

[@justinlaboy6837]

I very much hope to see you perform live some day. It would be amazing if you came to Las Vegas to perform at the Smith Center! God Bless you, Alma!

[@PieInTheSky9]

Thank you so much for doing this!

[@MeYou-Sick]

Love you!! following you since 60sec overtime ❤

[@fuyu856]

I'll be looking forward to the instruction videos!!

[@thepatrickshow33]

I can not stop saying cause its true you are sooooo amazing alma. Love you

[@arctanx5878]

Hi Alma, Echt toll, dass du Dir die Zeit nimmst Fragen zu beantworten! Ich wollte einfach mal loswerden, dass einer meiner Lieblingsstücke von dir der Sirenenwalzer ist. Wirklich großartig! Ich spiele selber auch Klavier und würde so gerne improvisieren lernen. Kannst du vielleicht etwas näher ausführen welches Werk dir geholfen hat? Hast du vieleicht auch weitere Tipps?

[@241hnd]

Alma, have you ever considered writing a composition for the flute? I am a flutist and would love to play one of your beautiful pieces.

[@stevecollier8745]

Dear Alma. I would like to say I have no musical background, but I like what I like. I have been following your musical progression for the last four years and am very very impressed with you as a young child and now a teenager, I do understand that when you are composing it takes, however long it takes, I also realise that covid19 has had a major impact on the world, so I wait patiently for anything new you decide to upload. Alma can I also wish you the very best in the future and hope your dream to start a school for composing and improvising comes to fruition soon, and you are able find that elusive castle to put it in. Alma love to you from your fan's and followers in Australia ♥️♥️♥️♥️.

[@vitamc1213]

A question I'd be most fascinated to know the answer to is which composer has influenced you the most? Do you think you're more influenced by classical or romantic? Whenever I have ever composed, it would easily have to be Brahms as my inspiration, his very Germanic and chordal style, it's just wonderful!

[@shrimp7229]

hi i'm a 15 year old girl who also loves classical music, I find it easy to make music, but sometimes I find myself using the same chords and getting distracted. how are you able to make each of your pieces so different and enjoyable? love from America

[@superblondeDotOrg]

buy the book titled "art of partimento" and follow it !

[@BIZARBIES]

Alma, Do you play anything other than classical? Have you tried to improvise with jazz? Just wondering if you're playing is classical only. Thanks!

[@keithtinkler4073]

Another piece I return to is "The sweeper of Dreams" ... I would love to hear the (earlier?) English version as well. I suppose I have this question - have you any other unpublished gems from that early period?

[@ashelberry]

Eloquent as always. I look forward to more :)

[@peterc.uhlmann5525]

Danke! Herzliche Grüße aus Berlin, auch an deine Eltern und deine Schwester!

[@SAPlaysRoblox]

Awesome video and awesome questions and awesome answers awesome Alma

[@joanneaugust6611]

I had to laugh when you talked about the composing school. Totally random thing, but I'm writing this partly serious, partly humorous story about a couple of composers (Mozart, Mendelssohn, Chopin - possibly more in the future) that end up involuntarily time travelling to modern day Vienna - I've worked on it for almost six years now. It shows their daily struggles with modern society etc. Anyway, at some point they all move into a (fictional) castle in the woods just outside of Vienna with their families, and they end up opening a composing school in the empty parts of the building. So yes, I'm all for that idea, and I would love to be a student as well 😅

[@randylazer2894]

Alma...You are truly one of the very few people in this world that using words like "genius", "prodigy", and "gifted", so understate your incredible talents and creativity. I do have two questions for you. To share, I play both the violin and piano, and performed with symphonies and chamber orchestras, and but also performed quite a bit of jazz and blues in Las Vegas, where I live, and have a jazz-60's-70's violin cd coming out, and write a bit of jazz/blues on the keyboard I was wondering for the violin, aside from your own amazing and beautiful compositions, for which one feels your expressiveness, what pieces do you play? I didn't know if you practice or perform concerti by Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Beethoven, Saint-Saens....or anything by Paganini or Sarasate? Also, the same for the piano....do you play any sonatas by Beethoven, or pieces by Rachmaninoff or Chopin, or any of the concerti by Brahms, Grieg, Rachmaninoff? Lastly, I was wondering if you were thinking of writing anything a bit bluesy, perhaps in the tradition of Gershwin, or if you listen to any of the great jazz artists, whether from the 40's or contemporary? In short, I am quite curious of the music aside from your own that you play and enjoy listening to. Alma your music touches so many in such a great way, and you are making this world a better place, just for being you. Best wishes always, Randy Lazer

[@josefmorera2494]

You have already hit the goal of life, congratulations!

[@Io1564]

Cheers Alma. Music is the best.

[@MarenGermany]

Unfortunately I don't have a castle for you, but the idea of a composition school is an awesome idea.

[@kirkchase5048]

You are so amazing!

[@HollyMayViolin]

I think you are incredible, Alma ❤️

[@normanjohnson4698]

Am a major fan ever since I discovered you on your 60 minutes debut. Only only suggestion: The quality of your voice and music would be far better with a lapel microphone and an appropriately positioned mic for the piano. It would eliminate the annoying room echo from your videos.

[@profearthurito6993]

Greetings and blessings from San Juan de Lurigancho, Lima, Perú.

[@luziferlindemannvonstrombe6495]

thank you Dear Alma Love from Australia xoxoxo

[@voicetube]

I think a piece of string is precisely 5.3 meters in length :-) LOL! Seriously, this was a great video and answered a lot of questions!

[@chanijacob5781]

I can't wait to listen to your new opera 🤩

[@btanirose581]

What a lovely piece at age 4yrs! Amazing ❤⚘

[@Петренко-ф1я]

Alma, who was your first violin teacher and your first piano teacher? Do you have violin and piano teachers now? Could you tell who they are?

[@seasidefoto]

Hi Alma! I have a question about your sister Helen. We all know she also has musical talents. I'd like to know that she will pursue a musical career or other fields such as medicine, science or language like your parents?

[@hg6996]

Schloss Lichtenstein would be the perfect fairy tale castle to do a composition 😊 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichtenstein_Castle_(W%C3%BCrttemberg)

[@dr.gregoryweisswassernd7251]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I love all of your work and your performances. I’m wondering if you have heard Jacob Collier. He is one of the few people I think are on par with you as far as harmony and melody composition go. You guys should try writing together some time. That would be amazing.

[@josefmorera2494]

First, also most talented girl

[@andreviana1369]

I love your music, Alma. I'm a big from Brazil🇧🇷

[@lacrimis_solis]

Nice video! :)

[@blop3836]

Omg the idea of a hogwarts for composers is thrilling!