CHIA-CHEN CHIANG
composer & pianist
Improvisation
a Poem by Chia-Chen Chiang
I.
Sitting at the piano,
I quieten my mind,
and take a deep breath.
As I lay my hands on the keys,
I completely let go of my inhibitions,
and so the fun begins.
An absolute release
is as simple as it can get,
as its simply being completely present.
There are no drunkards here,
but just me having a lucid dream.
​
II.
Improvisation is neither the antithesis of seriousness
nor unhinged madness.
It is to simply hand over oneself
to a higher order.
As one enters the realm of stillness
and allows themselves to be led by notes and rests,
life shall be rekindled
to enigmatic and mystifying heights.
The entire structure and tonality
has secretly taken shape
well before the first note appears,
hence surpassing the perception of the mind.
All creations,
in the very instances they bloom and perish,
achieve self-realization.
III.
Between abandon and control,
and between sensibility and rationality,
lies a fine, neutral line
on which the voices of each moment
roil.
These voices freely unfold
and flow forth like water
as they neutralize each memory.
Improvisation is the art of forgetting.
​
IV.
All versions of the future originate from
choices in the moment.
All it takes to reset and begin anew
in this dazzling world
is just. one. sound.
