Organ

Professors

Johannes Ebenbauer (Vienna, AT) – www.ebenbauer.org

Subject: Muffat and Central European Organ Art – Improvisation

Benjamin-Joseph Steens (Reims, FR)

Concert organist
Titular Organist at the Basilica of Saint-Remi, Reims (France)
Professor of Organ, Harpsichord, and Clavichord at the Conservatory of Reims and Higher School of Music in Strasbourg (HEAR).
Professor in Historical Keyboard Practice – MIMA (fortepiano) La Sorbonne, Paris.

Subject: French Baroque – Clavichord

Luc Ponet (Tongeren/Leuven, BE)

Concert organist
Titular Organist at the Basilica of Our Lady, Tongeren
Organist in residence at the Landcommanderij Alden Biesen
City Organist of Leuven
Professor at the Leuven University College of Arts – Lemmens Campus

Subject: German Baroque and French-Belgian Romantic repertoire

Tineke Steenbrink (Zwolle, NL) – www.hollandbaroque.com

Organist, harpsichordist, conductor
Co-founder of Holland Baroque
Organist at the St. Martinuskerk in Cuijk (Severijn organ from 1650)
Professor at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague.

Subject: Basso Continuo from figured bass and improvisation.

Susanne Ebenbauer (Vienna, AT)

Vocal coaching (vocal exercises, introduction to singing technique, work on songs and arias).

Program

Content

Masterclasses

Masterclass Muffat (JE) – Introduction to the organ music of Georg Muffat based on his toccatas. Students can prepare (a part of) the following toccatas: 1 to 9 or 12.

Masterclass Improvisation (JE) – Introduction to the practice of organ improvisation from 1600 to 2024. If desired, participants can prepare an improvisation of their choice.

Masterclass Basso Continuo (TS) – Introduction to the practice of continuo from figured bass and improvisation.

Masterclass Clavichord (BS) – Analysis of the musical and technical contribution of the clavichord in historical keyboard pedagogy based on Georg Muffat’s Ciacona, Passacaglia, and Nova Cyclopeias Harmonica (part 4 of M. Radulescu’s edition). The diversity of these pieces offers us the opportunity to address all technical situations typical of keyboard music from this period and to find answers and solutions by developing clavichord playing.

Masterclass French and German Baroque (BS and LP) – Discussion on the common elements of the French style between the works of Grigny and Muffat, as well as the specifics of ornamentation. Repertoire of the masterclass: works by N. de Grigny, particularly his verses on “A Solis Ortus”.

Individual lessons

There are individual lesson times available during the academy (with other students able to participate as passive listeners).

The student can choose from the following topics (one or more):

Basso Continuo/Partimento (TS): For beginner (with experience in organ or harpsichord playing) to experienced students. We work on insights and techniques for basso continuo and partimento playing as well as chamber music with strings and/or singers.

Improvisation (JE): For participants who want to start with organ improvisation: It is required that you are able to play cadences, descending fifth sequences, simple basso continuos, and basic organ literature. Participants with knowledge of organ improvisation, prepare at least 3 chorales/songs to be performed as follows: 4-part harmonization, separate cantus firmus in the soprano (on a 2nd manual), cantus firmus in the pedal, some variations on chorales/songs. Additionally, a prelude and/or a calm piece and/or a toccata and/or contrapuntal forms.

Clavichord (BS): During individual lessons, students can propose any other repertoire suitable for the clavichord that they wish to study in more depth. Instrument: Adlung clavichord – J. Potlvlieghe.

Organ repertoire (LP – BS – JE – TS): Georg Muffat; French or German baroque; baroque music from the Low Countries; 19th-century French-Belgian romantic music.

Organs

C. Ancion (1654)/P. Decourcelle (1996) – Begijnhofkerk Sint-Truiden
C. Ancion (ca. 1645)/Verschueren Orgelbouw (2023) – Sint-Truiden
J.B. Le Picard (1750/D. Thomas (2002) – O.L.V.-basiliek Tongeren
Van Peteghem (1788) – J. Moors (1996) – Landcommanderij Alden Biesen
A. Cavaillé Coll (1878) – Heilig-Hartkerk Hasselt
D. Thomas (2014) – O.L.V.-basiliek Tongeren
J. Moors (2018) – Sint-Pieterskerk Korte
D. Thomas (2015) – Église décanale Saint-Laurent, Diekirch (LU)