MAHLER and SCHUBERT   MASTER CLASS 2011

FOR PROFESSIONAL SINGER and PIANIST DUOS

given by 

Jard van Nes, mezzo-soprano and David Selig, pianist 

April 6-10  2011

Beurs van Berlage, Damrak 243, Amsterdam

MAHLER: Wednesday and Thursday,  April 6 and 7 
Jard van Nes, mezzo-soprano and David Selig, pianist

SCHUBERT: Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9
Robert Holl, bass-baritone and Rudolf Jansen, pianist

There will be 2 sessions a day: the afternoon sessions will be held from 14:00 till 17:15  followed by a dinner break. The evening sessions start at 19:00 and will last until approximately 22:15.

CLOSING CONCERT BY DUOS: SUNDAY, APRIL 10 AT 14:30

2011 is the centenary of Mahler’s death. The Schubert Foundation and the Friends of Art Song Society have chosen this commemorative year to co-produce a special event. This year’s master class will deal with songs by Mahler as well as Schubert. Jard van Nes and David Selig will handle Mahler’s songs; Robert Holl and Rudolf Jansen will discuss the Schubert songs.  Equal attention will be given to both composers during the daily afternoon and evening sessions. The master class will last for four days and will take place at the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam. Eight duos will be selected to participate. The master class will end with the traditional closing concert, presented by Aukelien van Hoytema. TROS Radio 4 will record the concert to be broadcast at a later date. During the master class the organization will be assisted by host families who offer accommodation to the participants. 

The importance of imagination

The art song exists primarily due to the artistic value added to it. This genre of song is a complete fusion of the composer’s musical and poetic thoughts. To achieve an optimal interpretation singers must learn to develop their sense of imagination. The teachers will stimulate the singers to do this by helping them to express the theme of the text through sensitivity of emotional expression and nuances of language. On stage with the students, Jard van Nes and Robert Holl will examine the songs in depth, emphasising their literary qualities and the psychological refinement of the text depiction. They will suggest different uses of the voice (variety of timbre), phrasing, expression, emotion and body language, depending on different textual interpretations. Their knowledge of the songs of Mahler and Schubert ensures an exceptionally high level for this master class. David Selig and Rudolf Jansen will enlighten us on the piano accompaniments. They will show how a pianist can really stimulate the singer, either by taking the incentive or by using contrasting colours or dynamics. Listeners will appreciate the respect accorded by the master class teachers to the art of song during the on stage discussions with the duos.