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Unraveling Ravel
Looking forward to teaching an analysis class on the piano music of Maurice Ravel during the forthcoming summer semester at Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf. In addition, I will be speaking in a lecture concert on Ravel’s water-inspired compositions on Tuesday, 6 May, 7:30 pm, in the school’s chamber music hall, where I will share my thoughts on Jeux d’eau, Une barque sur l’océan, and Ondine. This is going to be an immense pleasure, and the more so if you could manage to come along! #ravel150 #imfluss
On Admission Exams in Music Theory
The board of the Gesellschaft für Musiktheorie (GMTH) has published a statement on the MULEM-EX study of May 2024, a survey examining the current music teacher shortage in Germany by interviewing applicants and students of school music education. The results of the study suggest that admission exams in music theory and aural skills may have a discouraging effect; this is understood in such a way that music-theoretical content allegedly has a limited significance for assessing the general eligibility of applicants. The GMTH statement, in which I was involved, disputes these findings.
The authors of the study recommend that music theory admission exams in school music programmes be suspended in order to counteract the decreasing numbers of students. This is a controversial issue. In general, I would be open to such a measure, provided that its success is thoroughly evaluated. In order to prevent a decline of standards in music theory and aural skills, the corresponding topics would, if no longer examined in an admission test, need to be integrated in the curriculum. For example, an elementary music theory course could be introduced in the first year of study, and the acquisition of elementary competencies would be subject of the first module examination.
Engaging with Medtner and Pejačević
I have the pleasure of welcoming two invited guests to my current seminar on piano sonatas of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries at Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf. The pianists will perform repertoire of their own choice and discuss it with the students, while I will add some analytic remarks. Both sessions will be open for colleagues and friends, so if you happen to be in Düsseldorf and would like to come around, just let me know!
- Wednesday, 22 January, 9 am: Severin von Eckardstein will perform and talk about Nikolai Medtner‘s Piano Sonata in G minor, Op. 22
- Wednesday, 5 February, 9 am: Kyra Steckeweh will present both of Dora Pejačević‘s piano sonatas, Op. 36 in B-flat minor and Op. 57 in A-flat major
Salva me, fons pietatis
Excited to perform Giuseppe Verdi’s Messa da Requiem today with Vokalsystem, Enchore and Sibelius Orchester under the direction of Simon Rössler in the Philharmonie Berlin! The concert is sold out, but there will be a follow-up event for everybody interested: On February 15, 6 pm, you can join us for a singalong concert with the Requiem at Martin-Luther-Kirche, Berlin-Neukölln. Follow this link for tickets and further information.