Advanced Baroque Chamber Music

Advanced Baroque Chamber Music

Advanced baroque chamber music sessions exploring music by key composers (including Handel and JS Bach), with a particular focus on François Couperin’s trio sonatas “Les Nations” in the 300th anniversary year of their publication.

The fusion of French and Italian baroque musical styles makes Couperin’s set of pieces “Les Nations” a great starting point to explore some of the key elements of baroque chamber music. Using “Les Nations” as our foundation for exploring the influences leading up to the Italian sonata in France, we will learn how composers such as Rossi, Stradella and especially Corelli were influencing Couperin, Jaquet de la Guerre, Rebel and Clérambault, amongst others. The flexible scoring of “Les Nations” makes these pieces ideal for either strings, woodwind, or mixed ensembles, including versatile continuo groupings. We’ll explore key stylistic characteristics of the Italianate trio sonata, the bedrock of so much European baroque music coupled with the colourful musical language of the French dance suite. Alongside key areas of HIPP (Historically Informed Performance Practice) style, participants will also be given background information and historical context to the music studied. We’ll explore the role of the continuo (including a brief introduction to understanding and playing from figured bass for all players) with more detailed coaching available for keyboard players.

Course Outcomes

You will learn essential communication skills for playing expressively and musically as an ensemble
You will learn how to read ‘between the lines’ of the music so you can bring out as many nuances as possible
You will understand how to find your way in a piece, just like reading a map
You will expand and develop your palate of technical skills including different styles of ornamentation and appropriate musical phrasing.

Is this the right course for you?

Participants must have experience of performing on period instruments at baroque pitch (A=415) and reading from 17th and 18th century facsimiles. Good sight reading skills a bonus. String players should be comfortable using a baroque bow. Course is designed for conservatoire-level students, established chamber groups + and accomplished amateur players (grade 7/8 +). It is helpful for us to have an idea of your HIPP performing/learning experience to date via a brief biography.