Vengerov, Schiff, Haitink: Masterclasses on DVD
What used to be a privilege for the musical elite will soon be open to all: The Masterclass Media Foundation is making masterclasses by some of the most distinguished performers and conductors available on DVD. The plan is to release up to 200 hours of masterclass footage in total by some of the world’s most distinguished performers and conductors – the first three volumes will include Maxim Vengerov (violin), András Schiff (Piano) as well as conductor Bernard Haitink. The aims of the Masterclass Media Foundation are simple: “To create an archive for posterity, and to make the masterclasses available as an important resource for students throughout the world.“ In order to achieve this, it has struck cooperation deals with the Wigmore Hall, The International Musicians' Seminar at Prussia Cove, The Verbier Festival and others in order to be able to capture masterclasses of the highest standard on location. Further artists to be featured in this series will include: Thomas Quasthoff, Teresa Berganza, Zahar Bron, Ana Chumachenko, Dimitri Bashkirov, – as well as Trevor Pinnock, Stephen Hough, Evelyn Glennie and Emma Kirkby later in 2007 and in 2008. The DVDs can be purchased from the site of the Masterclass Media Foundation, but they will also be available on a special subscription base for universities and schools.
In their recent press release, the Masterclass Media Foundation has also announced the details for the first three volumes: Maxim Vengerov will work on Bach’s “Adagio and Fugue from Sonata No 1 in G Minor”, as well as Mozart’s “Violin Concerto No 3 in G Major, K216” among others. András Schiff will try to get his student to get the most out of a couple of Beethoven sonatas on a glorious double DVD. And Bernard Haitink also needs a full twofer in his bid to explore the depths of Brahm’s third symphony.
Violinist Maxim Vengerov explains his approach to the masterclasses: “It is not about you. It is not about the student even. It is about the music – and about how the music will help the student to open up.” According to Vengerov, these masterclasses even hold the chance of improving the student’s character through working on a particular composition: “You have to be sensitive enough to see the potential of the student in such short time. You have to be really sharp to say a few words, that might actually change the life of the student.” To see extracts of Vengerov, Haitink and Schiff in action, move over to the site of the Masterclass Media Foundation and register free of any charge.
In most recent news, the Masterclass Media Foundation has reveiled their association with the Rocal Academy of Music – which will allow then to maintain their status as a charity and give them access to masterclasses, international contacts and scholarly and consultative backup.
Homepage: Masterclass Media Foundation
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