1st INTERNATIONAL
ACTIVE CONDUCTING PROGRAM
Director: Maestro CONRAD VAN ALPHEN (Sinfonia Rotherdam)
and the Kislodovsk State Philharmonic Orchestra
April 24-30, 2011 in KISLOVODSK (South Russia)
Repertoire to be studied:
Free choice of repertoire to be discussed with and approved by Maestro Van Alphen. The concept is to simulate the regular professional symphony orchestra rehearsal and concert week as closely as possible. Each of the participants will rehearse and perform in concert one substantial symphonic work. Each participant will rehearse the full orchestra for 45 minutes during 4 consecutive days and subsequently conduct his/her rehearsed symphonic work during a concert.
Preliminary Workshop Schedule:
April 24 (Sunday) - Arrivals
April 25 (Monday) - Each conductor will have 45 minutes to demonstrate their skills. They will rehearse independently with the full symphony orchestra. In the afternoon there will be a discussion session lead by Maestro Van Alphen involving all the participants, analyzing each participants work (if necessary with video material of the morning rehearsal) and discussing all conducting issues.
April 26 (Tuesday) - Conductors will rehearse the orchestra with the assistance of Maestro Van Alphen. In the afternoon/evening there will be an excursion.
April 27 (Wednesday) - Participants will rehearse the orchestra independently with Maestro Van Alphen only interrupting where advice is essential. In the afternoon there will be an analysis session.
April 28 (Thursday) - Participants will rehearse on their own. A short session with summarizing comments in the afternoon, after which no comment until the evaluation after the concerts.
April 29 (Friday) and April 30 (Saturday) - CONCERTS in Kislovodsk and Pyatigorsk. Each participant will conduct their symphonic work of approx. 30-40 min. at one of the concerts.
May 1 (Sunday) - Departure
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- Every session will be video recorded for analysis;
- No individual lessons or sessions, but everything will be done with attendance of all 4 candidates;
- each participant will have 45 min of podium time each day;
- Each day the participants will have the full size symphony orchestra;
- we will have video sessions and discussions;
- The participats will receive the Certificate of Participation;
- All sessions can be videotaped (please bring your own cameras);
- Final concert will be videotaped - the performance DVD will be sent to each participant free of charge (i.e. included in the price of the masterclass);
- Please note that, if you are to bring a musical instrument and/or bow into Russia, you may need to declare it with the customs, as well as give a photo of your instrument.
Active Participant Fee - €1,450 (approx. US$1,850)
Auditors (Passive Participants) - €300 (approx. US$400)
Deadline for Applications: March 15, 2011
The workshop fee will include the following:
- All masterclass sessions and the concerts; Each participant will conduct one part of the final public concert (35-40 minutes per participant)
- Accommodation in the Philharmonia Hotel with breakfast
- Video recordings of the sessions and concert
- Visa Support Letter for the participant, necessary to apply for the Russian visa
- Transfer to and from the airport
- One excursion in the area
- A Certificate of Completion (to be issued to each participant after the final concert)
PLACES FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS ARE LIMITED TO FOUR PARTICIPANTS - PLEASE APPLY ASAP
About Maestro Conrad van Alphen:
http://www.conradvanalphen.com
http://www.youtube.com/musichighlights (videos)
About the Orchestra:
KISLODOVSK STATE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
The Kislodovsk State Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the oldest orchestras in Russia. Founded by the outstanding Russian musician Vasily Safonov in 1895, it has been the home many famous conductors such as V. Safonov, A.Glazunov, N.Golovanov, N.Musin, N.Rabinovich, Y. Simonov and J.Domarks. Eminent soloists like M.Rastropovich, D.Oistrach, S.Richter, E.Gilels, R.Kerer, V.Tretjakov, V.Kraynev have performed with the orchestra.
The full sized symphony orchestra is housed in one of the most beautiful philharmonic buildings in Russia where next to the weekly symphony concerts of the orchestra there are many other disciplines such as regular chamber music concerts, organ recitals, wind orchestra concerts, operetta and light music.
The Philharmonic Orchestra in Kislovodsk is very versatile giving for example live recorded concerts in the Great Concert Hall of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic and in the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow where they give special attention to young prizewinning Russian soloists. On September 25th, 2006 on the 100th birthday anniversary of D. Shostakovich, the orchestra performed and recorded for CD the Seventh Symphony “Leningrad” under the direction of Maestro Conrad van Alphen, who held the position of chief conductor of the orchestra for four years.
Past Testimonials:
"My time in Kislovodsk was very enjoyable as the musicians were very good and listened to each other and watched very well. The concerts were very exciting and really appreciated by the audience... The orchestra is very good and responds quickly to the conductor... Overall, I had a wonderful time there!"
Benjamin Le Heux, The Netherlands/New Zealand
