IMB Proudly Presents: 20th International Masterclass for Orchestral and Choir Conductors
Masterclass Dates: May 23rd – 28th 2016
We are happy to announce our 20th masterclass to be led by GRAMMY®-nominated conductor, Professor Kenneth Kiesler. His visits to Europe invariably provide superb opportunities to learn from his highly regarded and influential approach to the art of conducting. Known worldwide through his years of experience as a choral conductor and choral-music specialist, Maestro Kiesler has selected works of the Baroque and Classical periods for this masterclass. Choir and soloists are available to work with participants on two masterpieces of the choral-symphonic repertoire: G.F. Handel’s Messiah; and W.A. Mozart’s Requiem in D minor. Conductors of whatever level or age are welcome to apply.
This masterclass is limited to a maximum of 15 active participants*.
In addition to intensive active conducting sessions with a professional orchestra, choir and soloists, each one of the participants will have the chance to work with Maestro Kiesler on critical aspects of conducting including score studying, musical analysis, conducting technique and as well as the principles of working with singers. As always, there will be four orchestra rehearsals (4 hours each) with the professional musicians of the Berlin Sinfonietta.There will also three rehearsals with the choir (3 hours each). Be prepared for a very intense masterclass week with practical conducting on each day. Each participant will have the opportunity to conduct in the public concert at the end.
For this masterclass we are happy to be invited to hold the masterclass week
including the final concert in the very intimate St. Lukas Church,
in the center of Berlin. The church has great atmosphere and its regular concert visitors. We are thankful that the masterclass’ final concert was inserted to the church’s concert season programs, and expecting many audiences.
(image: Berlin Sinfonietta and IMB Kammerchor performing Mozart – Requiem in front the full St. Lukas Church.)
Address: Bernburger Str. 3-5, 10963 Berlin (click for google maps)
The course will be taught primarily in English and, secondarily, in German. If you do not speak these languages, and you would like to participate in the masterclass, we will make our best effort to provide a translator. Please draw attention to this in your application. All sessions with the orchestra and the choir will be recorded on video and each participant will receive an individual copy of his videos on a 16GB USB stick. Participants are more than welcome to bring a private recording device.
You are more than welcome to apply here.
Repertoire:
G. F. Händel Messiah HWV 56 (excerpts)
Part One
1. Sinfonia
2. Comfort ye my people
3. Every Valley shall be exalted
10. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth
11. The people that walked in darkness
12. For, unto us a child is born
Part Two
No.19 Behold the Lamb of God
No.20 He was despised
No. 39 Halleluja
W. A. Mozart Requiem in D minor KV 626
The participants must prepare all the repertoire pieces.
* The duration and the number of the sessions with the orchestra and the choir that each participant entitled for has increased.
We would like to share that this masterclass requires the bringing together of much bigger musical and logistical forces than our usual masterclasses, like a choir, soloists and more.
Considering the already growing interest in this masterclass, we, together with Maestro Kiesler, have decided that we will open this masterclass for more active participants together with adding substantial amount of active conducting sessions. Nevertheless, the addition of more active participants will not cause any reduction of the active conducting sessions that each participant entitled for. On the contrary! In this masterclass each one of the participants will enjoy in total, longer time with the orchestra, the choir and individually with Maestro Kielser in comparison to our usual masterclasses.