Repertoire

00:00 – Warmups with Abstract Improvisation
3:17 – ‘Aria’ from the Goldberg Variations – J.S. Bach
7:16 – Abstract Doodling
8:22 – Prelude, Op. 28, No. 4 – Frederic Chopin
12:54 – Minuet in G minor BWV Anh 115 – J.S. Bach
14:25 – Prelude in C major, BWV 846 – J.S. Bach
16:34 – ‘Fur Elise’ Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor (WoO 59, Bia 515) – L.V. Beethoven
19:46 – ‘Moonlight Sonata’ Piano Sonata No. 14 in C # minor, Op. 27 No. 2, M.1 – L.V. Beethoven
24:39 – ‘Pathetique Sonata’ Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, M.2 – L.V. Beethoven
29:52 – Abstract Doodling
30:21 – Invention No. 13 in A minor BWV 784 – J.S. Bach
31:55 – Abstract Doodling
32:26 – Prelude No. 14 in F-sharp Minor – J. S. Bach
34:52 – ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’ Cantata BWV 147 – J.S. Bach
37:47 – Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545, M.1 – W.A. Mozart
42:11 – Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545, M.2 – W.A. Mozart
47:49 – Abstract Doodling
48:05 – Prelude No.21 in B-flat major, BWV 866 – J.S. Bach
49:40 – ‘Air on the G String’ from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068 – J.S. Bach
54:20 – ‘Gavotte’ from French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 – J.S. Bach
55:47 – Abstract Doodling
56:45 – Invention 8 in F Major, BWV 779 – J.S. Bach
57:15 – Abstract Improvisation
57:49 – Rondo ‘Alla Turca’ Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331 – W.A. Mozart
1:01:35 – Adagio from Harpsichord Concerto No.5 in F minor, BWV 1056 – J.S. Bach
1:06:45 – Abstract Doodling
1:07:16 – Prelude No. 2 in C minor BWV 847 – J.S. Bach
1:13:25 – Adagio from Concerto in D Minor, BWV 974 – J.S. Bach
1:21:17 – Passacaglia in G minor from Suite No. 7 HWV 432 (G.F. Handel/Arrg Halverson)
1:23:43 – 1:32:54 – Abstract Improvisation
1:32: 56 – Aria Redo
1:37:23 – Abstract Improvisation
1:41:50 – Moonlight Redo
1:46:17 – Abstract Doodling
1:48:00 – Adagio from BWV 1056 Redo

I have a memory of a flea, so I prefer making up stuff on the 88s. This is what I call ‘Abstract Improvisation’ and its just letting my fingers express what I’m thinking. There is no thought to timing, rhythm, nor musical modality….just jumping and dancing…like a flea that learned to jump outside the box.

Every Friday, I listen to the beautiful and complex music of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven and other passionate musicians of the past instead of the anxiety inducing news of current events. I notice there is a considerable increase in the liveliness and energy in my performances, and a more upbeat and complex exploration in my improvisations @ 1:03:33. This substantiates my theory in the MozART Effect, where the harmonic patterns and nature inspired melodies resonate my neural and psychological states at a higher vibration and positive disposition – something I believe fervently can help our children.

During the 2025 Civil War football game between OSU and Oregon, I knew the students would be away allowing me to perform uninhibitedly on my favorite 1930’s Steinway Concert Grand at the Memorial Union Hall, Oregon State University. I invoked my alter-ego, Michael DoSotjoe and performed mostly improvisational themes. This ‘chaotic’ and ‘unstructured’ exploration of chord patterns is what I call ‘Harmonic Fractals’ and is my version of mentally painting images of nature, butterflies, and non-linear, nonrepetitive patterns. I admit that listening to it can be jarring even to myself, as I’m conditioned like so many others to expect a very structured, predictable, and familiar musical structure. Here, I am not adhering to any modalities, musicality, nor timing…but rather trying to let my left hand and right hand reflect abstractions from both the right and left hemispheres of the brain. I’ve learned that this greatly stimulates neural activity in many different regions of the brain and across the corpus collosum, which I believe has enhanced my STEM reasoning and boosted my Creativity.