Abegg

I don't think it's qualitatively different from sitting down at the keyboard and improvising until something comes up that seems worth pursuing, or even pulling ideas arbitrarily out of nowhere — think of Schumann's "Abegg" Variations, or the "BACH" (or even "DSCH") motive.

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A second marshal, Theodore Abegg, 31, was in fair condition for a gunshot wound to the ankle.

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A nod to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert Schumann, later this year, came in the form of his Variations on the Name "Abegg."

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Last January, German manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg introduced to the U.S. an air-conditioning fan blade for commercial cooling systems called the Owlet.

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So, actually, if you listen carefully, there's supposed to be five variations on this Abegg theme.

Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic

It's called "Abegg Variations" by Robert Schumann, a German 19th century composer.

Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic

It's called "Abegg Variations" by Robert Schumann, a German 19th century composer.

Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic

What I do first is, I make a lot of little musical ideas -- you can just improvise here at the piano -- and I choose one of those to become my main theme, my main melody, like the Abegg that you just heard.

Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic

What I do first is, I make a lot of little musical ideas -- you can just improvise here at the piano -- and I choose one of those to become my main theme, my main melody, like the Abegg that you just heard.

Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic

So, actually, if you listen carefully, there's supposed to be five variations on this Abegg theme.

Jennifer Lin improvs piano magic