Chamber Music Coaching in Montisi
with Bruno Giuranna, September 7–14, 2008
Course Structure
The 7-day course of rehearsal and tuition is for pre-formed chamber ensembles (duos, trios, quartets etc). It is divided into two parts: four days of rehearsal and preparation followed by three days of masterclasses.
The rehearsal periods are conducted by tutors with a wide and practical knowledge of the chamber music repertoire, who take it in turns to coach each ensemble. They are all experienced chamber musicians based in Florence, where they are also the leaders of the string sections of Zubin Mehta's Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale in Florence (Pietro Horvath vln (leader), Jorg Winkler vla, Roger Low vc), and pianist Rebecca Woolcock. Learn more about the tutors here.
The masterclasses, which must be attended by all participants, are conducted by BRUNO GIURANNA. An audition during the course will select the ensembles participating in the masterclasses. The classes are open to listeners, who should be music teachers, and there is a special rate for members of ESTA (European String Teachers Association). There is an opening concert by the tutors, and a final concert by participants.
Facilities
Rehearsal facilities with and without piano are located in the village of Montisi, a small Tuscan hilltop village 20 miles south of Siena. You will be allocated a rehearsal room where your tutors visit. Up to six hours of rehearsal time are scheduled per day, with four lessons of one and a half hours each during the preparatory part of the course. Each group will receive intensive coaching from the tutors on works of their own choice, and the opportunity to study new works.
Extra-Curriculum
There is also time to improve sight-reading skills in mixed ensembles with maestri playing primus inter pares. The ability to sight-read accurately and musically is indispensable to the chamber musician. There is a basic music library which you are encouraged to use, although you should bring your own music and scores.
Montisi has a tiny recently-restored theatre built in the early 1800s by the lord of the manor. It has an ideal acoustic for chamber music, and it is here that the tutors perform in an opening concert, and where the closing performance takes place. The theatre will also host informal concerts by those wishing to try out new ideas in performance.
This will also be one of those rare occasions to tackle, alongside players who know the music well, some of the stupendous repertoire of chamber music so often neglected in formal training. – Bruno Giuranna
Costs
The cost of tuition is € 380 per person, with a 10 percent discount for quartets and larger ensembles. Private lessons are available by negotiation with the course tutors.
Accommodation is arranged separately via this office according to your requirements, starting at about € 250 per person. In the village of Montisi and in the surrounding countryside, you have a choice of facilities ranging from simple bed & breakfast accommodations and self-catering apartments to fully serviced villas and hotel rooms with air conditioning and satellite TV. Particularly recommended are the apartments at Castello di Montelifré, the apartments at La Grancia, the farmhouse at Calatine, and the Appartamenti Campo Moro. Click here for further accommodation details.
Meal vouchers are available at discounted prices for lunch and dinner at the two main restaurants in the village.
Non-Playing Partners
Please note that there is plenty to do around Montisi for non-playing partners: wine tasting, cooking courses, hiking, painting school, horse riding, hot air ballooning, etc. The landscape of the Crete Senesi is legendary, and the two great wine growing areas of Montalcino and Montepulciano are just a few miles away by car. Pienza, Siena, Monte Oliveto, and the Val d'Orcia are World Heritage sites. You will not be bored!
Enquiry Form
If you would like to join us, please complete and submit the Enquiry Form below. If you would like advice or help, please note this on the form. Most of the accommodations offered have a website and booking facilities in English. We can check prices and availability for you, so please let us know if we can help.
We sometimes have problems responding to AOL, Hotmail, Comcast and other email accounts. If you do not hear from us within 24 hours, please check your junk mail folder and allow as a trusted sender.
Robert Etherington
Podere La Fratta
53020 Montisi (SI), Italy
tel/fax +39-0577-845211
This course is presented by the Associazione Discovery Club di Gargonza C.F.92007130518.