# A Strange Wild Leaf | Johanna Summer & Malakoff Kowalski | TEDxBerlin Women

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRsmNDrdo2g
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/uRsmNDrdo2g
Generated: 2026-01-20T18:12:34.315+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Johanna Summer and Malakoff Kowalski perform a musical interpretation of Allen Ginsberg's poem "A Strange Wild Leaf," originally set to music by Claude Debussy, during the TEDxBerlin Women event on November 4, 2025, blending classical piano with contemporary vocalization and harmonica.

**Key Points:**
- The performance features Johanna Summer on piano and Malakoff Kowalski providing vocals and harmonica.
- The piece performed is titled "A Strange Wild Leaf," credited to Claude Debussy and Allen Ginsberg.
- The event took place at TEDxBerlin Women on November 4, 2025.
- Kowalski sings the lyrics while playing the harmonica, accompanied by Summer's dynamic piano work.
- The visual presentation is dark and intimate, utilizing dramatic red and white stage lighting against a black background featuring the 'TEDxBerlin' logo.
- The performance concludes with applause from the audience, acknowledging the artistic collaboration.

![Screenshot at 00:14: The stage is set with the TEDxBerlin Women logo in the background as Malakoff Kowalski begins singing while Johanna Summer plays the piano, setting the scene for the musical interpretation of "A Strange Wild Leaf."](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/uRsmNDrdo2g/00-00-14.jpg)

**Context:** This video captures a live musical presentation from the TEDxBerlin Women event, specifically the 'momentum' conference scheduled for November 4, 2025. The segment features the collaboration between pianist Johanna Summer and vocalist/harmonica player Malakoff Kowalski, who interpret the poetic work "A Strange Wild Leaf," which pairs text by Allen Ginsberg with music by Claude Debussy.

## Detailed Analysis

The video presents a musical performance by Johanna Summer (piano) and Malakoff Kowalski (vocals/harmonica) at the TEDxBerlin Women event on November 4, 2025. The performance is a setting of Allen Ginsberg's poem "A Strange Wild Leaf," originally associated with Claude Debussy's music. The staging is dark, illuminated by strong red spotlights and the white 'TEDxBerlin' backdrop. Kowalski, dressed in black with a captain's hat, sings intensely into the microphone, occasionally switching to play the harmonica, as seen around 00:46. Summer is intensely focused on the Steinway grand piano, demonstrating complex fingerwork throughout the piece, especially visible in close-ups between 00:30 and 00:34. The song explores themes of searching for fortune, using one's heart, and avoiding regret, drawing heavily from the poetic source material. The performance concludes with the musicians acknowledging the warm applause from the dimly lit audience.

### Performance Introduction

- Title slide for TEDxBerlin Women momentum, 4 november 2025
- Performance credit: Johanna Summer & Malakoff Kowalski, A Strange Wild Leaf (Claude Debussy / Allen Ginsberg)

### Musical Execution

- Kowalski sings and plays harmonica (00:46)
- Summer executes complex piano passages (00:30, 01:30)
- Vocals reference themes of searching for fortune and avoiding regret (00:07 - 01:25)

### Stage Presence and Visuals

- Dark staging with striking red lighting and large 'TEDxBerlin' backdrop
- Both artists wear predominantly black attire

### Conclusion

- Performance ends with audience applause (04:33)
- Credits roll thanking partners (04:39)

![Screenshot at 00:01: Title card displaying 'TEDx Berlin Women momentum 4 november 2025' against a dark red, swirling graphic background.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/uRsmNDrdo2g/00-00-01.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:14: Wide shot of the stage showing pianist Johanna Summer on the left and vocalist Malakoff Kowalski at the microphone on the right, with the illuminated 'TEDxBerlin' sign visible behind them.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/uRsmNDrdo2g/00-00-14.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:30: Close-up shot focusing on Johanna Summer's hands rapidly playing the keys of the grand piano.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/uRsmNDrdo2g/00-00-30.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:47: Close-up of Malakoff Kowalski singing into the microphone while also playing a harmonica held close to his mouth.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/uRsmNDrdo2g/00-00-47.jpg)
![Screenshot at 04:34: Final moment of the performance showing the audience applauding while the two artists stand on stage.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/uRsmNDrdo2g/00-04-34.jpg)