Impromptu

A single-movement piano solo work

Impromptu refers to the music that is performed spontaneously, often as solo works with a single-movement, particularly for piano.

Before an impromptu is performed/composed, the performer/composer typically does not prepare beforehand, but instead improvises and performs on stage according to their own ideas. Therefore, impromptu pieces are typically highly improvisatory, as the musician is not bound by any constraints and can freely express their ideas.

In music, the term "impromptu" first appeared in 1822 by the Bohemian composer Jan Hugo Voříšek and German composer Heinrich Marschner both used "impromptu" as the title of their piano works. Other well-known impromptu works include those by Schubert (Opuses 90, 142) and Chopin (Opuses 29, 36, 66).

Example of Impromptu

Chopin - Fantaisie-Impromptu (Op. 66)

Writer: Frankie Chan