Historical Piano and Violin Summer Academy 2025

Between lesson and salon

Exploring the late-eighteenth century accompanied sonata

Directed by Tom Beghin, Laura Andriani, Luca Montebugnoli, Blake Proehl, and Anastasios Zafeiropoulos

The accompanied sonata, or “sonate pour le piano forte avec accompagnement de violon,” encapsulated two performance contexts in the formative years of the eighteenth-century keyboardist: that of the lesson, where the teacher may accompany his pupil on a melodic instrument such as the flute or the violin; and that of the salon, where a violinist joins the keyboardist, ideally helping her shine in front of an audience.

Gathering around many different types of keyboards, we will explore the artistic dynamic within such relationships between keyboardists and violinists. We will do so, on the one hand, through the typical lesson material (such as Handstücke, airs, and sonatinas found in well-known tutors by J. G. Türk, L. Adam, and M. Clementi) in which the violinist can lend a didactic hand; on the other, through the preparation of salon-worthy accompanied sonatas or fantasies wherein both players elevate their art together as a duo. In addition, violinists will study selected capricci from P. A. Locatelli’s L’arte del violino, honing their technique so they can assume their supporting role all the more skillfully.

Academy

We invite three violinists and six keyboardists to participate. Workshops will be devoted to pedagogical pieces, while masterclasses will lead toward public performances. We propose the following repertoire, of which keyboardists will perform one piece and violinists two:

• C. P. E. Bach, Arioso with Variations in A Major, Wq 79 (1781) and Fantasy in F-sharp Minor, Wq 80 (1787)
• W. A. Mozart, Sonata in G Major, K. 379 (comp. and publ. Paris, 1781)
• M. Clementi, Sonata in A Major, op. 31 (publ. 1794, revised from op. 2 no. 4, publ. 1779)
• J. L. Adam, Sonata in G Minor, op. 7 no. 2 in G Minor (publ. 1793)
• I. Ladurner, Sonata in E Minor, op. 7 no. 2 (publ. after 1804)
• J. Haydn, Sonata in E-flat Minor, Hob. XV:31 (comp. 1795, publ. 1803)

We expect violinists to come with their own historical instruments, including classical bows and gut strings. In addition, we will have at our disposal a selection of bows for experimentation.

The following keyboards will be available:

• Clavichord in Saxon style (ca. 1760), built by Joris Potvlieghe in 2003
• Square piano by Pascal Taskin (Paris, 1791), restored by Chris Maene (2024)
• Grand piano by Johann Andreas Stein (Augsburg, 1786), built by Chris Maene (2016)
• Grand piano by Erard Frères (Paris, 1803), built by Chris Maene (2016)
• Square piano by Stodart (London, ca 1810)
• Grand piano by Longman, Clementi & Co. (London, 1798) restored by Chris Maene (2003)

Faculty

This Orpheus Historical Summer Academy is directed by

• Tom Beghin

With contributions by

• Laura Andriani
• Luca Montebugnoli
• Blake Proehl
• Anastasios Zafeiropoulos

Application

Please upload the following by April 15, 2025:

1. A link to one or two video clips (total duration ca. 10 minutes) featuring a performance on a historical instrument, preferably with late-18th- or early-19th-century repertoire
2. A letter of motivation (one page), explaining why you wish to participate and how you can uniquely contribute
3. Your CV
4. Repertoire choices
   1. For keyboardists: Your first, second, and third preferences for an accompanied sonata of the repertoire listed above (we will do our best to accommodate your wishes)
   2. For violinists: your choice of two to three Locatelli capricci

Any questions may be addressed to communication@orpheusinstituut.be

Practical

Cost: € 500 as a registration fee, to be paid upon acceptance. You will be offered daily coaching, seminars, a performance stage, as well as eight lunches and two evening dinners.

Accommodation: upon request, we can connect you with a local host who will provide lodging at the rate of € 250 for the duration of the course.

Successful candidates will be invited to a Zoom meeting held by the end of May, during which we will share our expectations and together fine-tune our goals.

Any questions may be addressed to communication@orpheusinstituut.be

The Orpheus Instituut embraces diversity and strives to be an inclusive environment for everyone.

This Academy will run in conjunction with MTT’s Summer Academy 2025.