PIANO — Prof. Birgitta Wollenweber (Hanns Eisler College of Music Berlin)

Teacher: 

German pianist Birgitta Wollenweber, born near Cologne commencement of piano studies at the Music Academy of Detmold in 1982 under Prof. Renate Kretschmar-Fischer (student of Conrad Hansen) 1986 State piano teacher examination with distinction Award winner of the ”Federal German Chopin Competition Darmstadt“ 1987 Artistic diploma with distinction 1988 Promotion award by the Hannover Chopin Society First Prize of the Chopin Competition Cologne First Prize of the GEDOK Interpreter Competition Attendance of international master classes under Hans Leygraf, Halina Czerny-Stefanska and Bruno Leonardo Gelber, as well as under Gerhard Oppitz for the study of Beethoven´s piano opus in the house of Wilhelm Kempff in Positano 1988 – 89 Study at the Royal College of Music, London under Peter Wallfish with a DAAD scholarship Joy Scott-Prize of the Royal College of Music, London 1990 Concert exam at the Academy of Music Detmold.

Relocation to Cologne City 1991 Winner of the Scholarship at the ”German Music Competition“ and acceptance to the ”Federal Selection of Concerts for Young Artists” of the German Music Council Promotion by the Werner Richard-Dr. Carl Dörken Foundation, by the Friedrich Jürgen Sellheim Society and by the cultural office of the state Nordrhein-Westfalen with solo and orchester concerts

1994 first Solo-CD Relocation to Berlin 1995 Third Prize at the ”International Piano Competition Maria Canals, Barcelona” and the award for best performance at the finale 2002 Founder of Soloists-Ensemble Berlin 2007 Birth of daughter Lea

Since 1982 Piano recitals, chamber music and concerts with orchestras in Europe, Japan and in the United States Invitations to festivals, such as the Rhineland Music Festival, Ludwigsburg Castle Festival, International Music Festival Dinu Lipatti, Sinaia, Romania, Art Festival Weimar, International Beethoven Festival Bonn, Chopin Festival Marianske Lazne, Czechoslovakia, Piano Summer in the Beethoven House Bonn, Rheingau Music Festival, La Musica – International Chamber Music Festival, Sarasota (Florida), Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival

Recordings for radio and TV Several CD-Productions

Since 2002 she has been Professor for piano at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin and its interims director from 2014 to 2015.

Master classes in Europe and Asia

Photo credentials: Manuel Krug

Dates: 

Arrival: Tuesday, December 7, 2021, until 2 pm
Departure: Saturday, December 11, 2021, until 12 pm

Contents:

preparation for exams, concerts and competitions

Repertoire:

Piano works from all periods: from Baroque over Classic and Romantic to Modern Music; 

Philosophy:

„For me, music contains the reflection of all traits and characteristics of life, like a personal mirror for our experiences and desires. The spiritual text of a Beethoven inspires me. The romantic urging of a Chopin is changed into emphasis and the humour of a Haydn exhilarates me. Contemporary compositions arouse diverse methods of approach in me. My most essential experience dealing with music is the extraction of energy from playing.

I have always felt the urge to pass my experiences on to students. Thereby, a fertile collaboration can only take place when a relationship of trust is established between teacher and student. Thus, space can be created for the pursuit of something new and for the imprint of one’s own imagination. Thereby, it is necessary to open oneself to a new language without denying cultural roots, as well as, to welcome challenges and stimulations. The musician should be aware of the responsibility towards the composition and should embrace the composer selflessly to give an authentic performance. Patience should be combined with reflection, musical intelligence, and practical organisation, in order to find a place within today’s music scene.“

Accommodation:

Students are hosted on a shared room basis in a beautiful villa on the bank of the Rhine river.

Meals:

A kitchen is available for cooking; groceries can be bought in a nearby supermarket. Group shopping is advised. A different team can do the cooking daily, which can be organize in situ.

Rooms:

Committed to the spirit of romanticism, all masterclasses offered by the Sankt Goar International Music Festival and Academy unite everything under one roof: living, learning, eating and sleeping. That is why participants will be hosted on a shared room basis.

Audition information and registration:

In order to be accepted, you must meet one of the following criteria:

(a) be recommended by Prof. Wollenweber, or
(b) submit an unedited video audition (YouTube link) for review.

In addition, you must complete and submit our application form and pay a €40,- application fee.

Registration Deadline: December 1st, 2021

Tuition:

Course fee (incl. accommodation): €450,-