Toccatina, Op. 36
Aden Z.
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Nikolai Kapustin's Toccatina, Op. 36 blends the brilliance of classical music with the grooviness of jazz. In learning and performing this work, I had trouble balancing the two genres. How improvisatory should I really make it sound? How do I keep the precise lines of classical piano while still letting the jazzy rhythms swing through naturally? I experimented with these questions, tinkering with each individual phrase endlessly. In doing so, I learned to bring out the playful energy in the fast staccato passages and shape the lyrical moments with as much emotion as I could put into it, all while without losing momentum. Performing this lighthearted piece at recitals, school talent shows, and relatives’ weddings gave me the chance to interpret the piece in a multitude of ways, my musical mind now unrestrained.
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To me, creativity is embracing the unknowns. On the surface, it’s about challenging the obvious. On a deeper level, it’s taking what I already know and asking, “hey, what about this truly moves me?” It’s allowing my imagination to run free and relentlessly chasing it.
