Exploring national styles in suites and concertos by Purcell, Campra, Corelli, Vivaldi and Fasch.
STANDARD: CONFIDENT, SKILFUL
Resident: £572 Non-Resident: £435 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 25/326
Booking for Members opens at 9am on Thursday 12th September 2024
Booking for Non-Members opens at 9am on Thursday 3rd October 2024
For details on how to become a Member to take advantage of early booking, see here.
What is the course about?
We are delighted to welcome back Theresa Caudle (violin), Mark Caudle (cello) and Claire Williams (harpsichord) to lead this thoroughly joyful course.
We will be working at A=415 and the course is open to participants on period instruments (we will accept modern set-up stringed instruments with gut strings and baroque bows). We can accept two oboists and one bassoonist, with a maximum of twelve violinists, four viola players, six cellists and one double bassist, plus two harpsichordists and one theorbo player in the continuo team. Players must be of advanced standard, confident sight-readers, and willing to rehearse in some detail. For string players some experience of playing baroque music on period instruments is preferable but not essential. Harpsichordists and theorbo players should be confident reading from figured bass.
Tutor websites: www.canzona.org.uk / www.burghclerebaroque.com / www.baroqueweek.uk www.clairewilliams.co.uk
What will we cover?
We will explore repertoire from around Europe, working on a suite from"Arathuse" by Campra (written in four rather than the five parts normally associated with the French orchestra at this period) and observing how Purcell in his suite from "Amphytrion" (from 'Ayres for the Theatre') and Fasch, in his Suite in Bb FaWVK:B2, adopt the French form and style but imbue it with distinctly English and German national flavours. The archetypal Italian concerto style will be sampled in one of Corelli's Concerti Grossi, which will give the opportunity for two violinists and one cellist to take on the concertino parts (please indicate when you apply whether you would like to be considered for one of these) and the oboists will also have a chance to shine in Vivaldi's concerto for two oboes and strings in d minor.
Articulation and phrasing
Ornamentation
Rhetoric - in terms of understanding the structure and how to deliver in performance
Tempo, rhythm and pulse
Recognising the character of different movements and learning how to make technical choices to bring it out effectively
Working with non-equal temperament tuning
Continuo skills
What will we accomplish? By the end of this course you will have
Discovered new repertoire and will have learnt to play more communicatively and expressively thanks to your growing assimilation of baroque performance practice.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Standard: Confident, Skilful
How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required?
The course will centre around tutti rehearsals led by all three tutors but one session will separate wind and strings to give a chance for the wind players to have a sectional rehearsal on the Vivaldi concerto whilst the string orchestra works on the Corelli concerto. Familiarisation of the music before the course is encouraged, but not compulsory.
Will music be provided in advance of the course?
Any technically demanding music will be available on this website a few weeks before the course, especially any solo or continuo parts. There may also be music to sight-read whilst on the course.
Is there anything I need to bring?
We are playing at A=415 so please bring your baroque instrument, or if you don’t have one then please use gut strings on your modern instrument and a baroque bow. Don’t forget your spare strings.
What previous participants said about this course…
“I couldn't rate it highly enough. It was really excellent in every way.”
“The course was extremely well organised. It was really challenging for me, but most enjoyable, and the atmosphere and encouragement from both staff & students were very supportive.”
“The tutors gave much insight as to how to interpret and play the works giving opportunities for participants to play different parts and to express their opinions.”