Is free improvisation at an end?
On the past and present of a fugitive art form in Switzerland
Thomas Meyer
«Free improvisation» was an important word of contemporary music: it stood for the zeitgeist in the highest musical spheres – May 68 spirit, freedom, intuition, openness. However, it has been a while since this practice is no more the centre of attention. It is recognised as an academic discipline, but where is it today in musical life? And what future does it have? No exhaustive inventory, only a couple of thoughts focussed on the Swiss situation, on an actually massive subject.