Improvisation with Robert Levin

Classical pianist and improvisor Robert Levin talks with jazz pianist Tim Bruer about improvisation, jazz and piano technique. The conversation concludes with Robert improvising on some Mozart themes.
Tim Bruer has been a professional jazz pianist for nearly 40 years, and also teaches at The Australian Institute of Music.

[@RaIAm]

Robert Levin, please stay on this earh a long time! You're gold. I've been cherrishing your videos for a long time. That is all I have to say.

[@JohnCasteel1333]

Anything with Robert Levin is pure GOLD! He has truly changed my life and multiplied my passion for the piano leaps and bounds. Thank you for this.

[@timbruer7318]

Thanks very much for your comment, I was hoping others would find it useful, and I've already had some good responses.

[@bornaerceg9984]

Every interview with Robert Levin is precious, especially for us young, aspiring musicians! Thank you!

[@timbruer7318]

Great to hear, it's my pleasure.

[@joshuafruend3348]

Fabulous interview. Thank you so much for sharing! Robert Levin is a role model of mine in my playing and study of classical music.

[@timbruer7318]

Really glad you enjoyed it. As is probably obvious, I wanted to draw out some information that Robert hadn't shared previously in public, and I'm pretty sure that's what happened.

[@ColKlink0]

This was such an illuminating interview, Robert Levin inspires me and his playing (especially Mozart) always moves me. Thank you.

[@timbruer7318]

Thanks a lot, I'm really glad you enjoyed it.

[@prevatican2catholicshow]

Wonderful interview, thanks so much.

[@timbruer7318]

Thanks Nikhil, I've very much enjoyed the ones of yours that I've listened to.

[@Mathieu_Poirier_Piano]

Thank you for posting this interview!! I love all of the masterclass and interview videos of Mr. Levin that I've seen and often come back to them for inspiration and advice. I'm always happy to see when a new video of him appears, and it was a particular treat to see him interviewed in such depth on subjects which are so dear to him and about which he is so incredibly knowledgeable. I would also like to thank you especially for being such a sensitive interviewer and good listener! So many interviews are marred by interviewers trying to show off how much they know or talking over the guest. I can tell you obviously really know your stuff and must have a tremendous deal of experience and knowledge to share as well, but it was extremely respectful and thoughtful of you to allow Mr. Levin to "have the floor," so to speak.

[@timbruer7318]

Thanks so much, your comment is much appreciated.

[@mihags]

Thank you very much for this interview! I am very grateful for it and I am sure many others are too. Incredible :)

[@timbruer7318]

Really glad you enjoyed it :)

[@LachlanTyrrell2003]

1:01:31 improvisation k511, k540

[@TheSutov]

This was fantastic, thank you. I cherrish the memory of Mr. Levin's instructional performance of Schumann at Cornell in the late 90ies. He is a creative, learned, skillful and inspirational artist. Now I need to go and study your music, too! And, one of my first jazz LPs was the Köln concert by Jarret...

[@timbruer7318]

Thanks very much for your comment, I feel very lucky that I was able to get Robert to do this as he's usually exceptionally busy. As is obvious from what I said in the conversation, I'm a huge Jarrett fan, and he has so much great music to check out.

[@hiera1917]

I wish I could only speak with Levin person to person one day

[@timbruer7318]

I'm pleased to say I've met him a couple of times, once backstage after a concert of his where we had a short conversation :)

[@hiera1917]

@@timbruer7318 what a privilege. Since I moved to New York City recently the irrational thought of stumbling across him one day, and begging him to be my teacher has constantly been in my mind, but alas!

[@timbruer7318]

@@hiera1917 it might be worth contacting him, you never know...you can still contact him through his Harvard email even though he no longer works there.

[@DanielFahimi]

@@timbruer7318 What is his Harvard email? I really want to know. A response would be very much appreciated.

[@timbruer7318]

@@DanielFahimi FYI I just went to the Harvard site, and clicked on "find a person" and his details come up. It's [e-mail]

[@mytake3692]

He talks too much and can't improvise himself.

[@timbruer7318]

Go to 1:01:31, and you'll see him improvise wonderfully.