Hi All,  Personally, I like a pianist using a little improvisation,
but perhaps only at the final passage.  A classical piece is sort of
like that old movie we have watched hundreds of times, and we know how
it's going to end.  We know the story, and being musically caught off
guard is sometimes delightful.

The only pianist that came to mind, who took far too many liberties
with improvisation, would be Liberace.  While the man was extremely
talented, he really butchered the classics.  "Butcherace?!"

Andy Taylor - Tempola Music Rolls