International WinterAcademy & Historic Brass Studio 2026
Dresden – Florence of the Elbe
In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the city of Dresden became a European centre of musical excellence. It was the home of a superb Hofkapelle led by Heinrich Schütz from 1615 and the development of a distinct school of violin playing, centring on composers such as Carlo Farina, Johann Jakob Walther, Johann Paul von Westhoff and Nicolaus Adam Strungk. Thanks to Schütz the court became the birthplace of opera in German, as well as a centre for other secular vocal music. A new golden age of music in Dresden began in 1694 under elector Friedrich August I of Saxony and continued under his son. Architecture, Art and Music were all cultivated to the highest standards. Composers including Silvius Leopold Weiss, Johann Georg Pisendel, Johann David Heinichen and Jan Dismas Zelenka joined the Hofkapelle and continued to promote the Italian style, and were instrumental in bringing Antonio Vivaldi’s music in the city. Italian opera also flourished in Dresden especially after the Crown Prince’s visit to Italy in 1716–1717. Antonio Lotti was engaged as a composer and leading Italian singers were recruited, including the famous castrato Senesino, who performed in the Zwinger opera house – one of the largest in Europe. In 1719 Telemann and Handel visited Dresden, at which time Handel recruited singers there for London, and in 1731 Johann Adolph Hasse arrived to produce operas. Following defeat in the seven-years’ war in 1763 and the death of the Elector soon after, Dresden’s musical excellence fell into decline, however the city’s reputation as the Florence of the Elbe had been secured.
WinterAcademy
Matthew Gardner, Musicology
Historic Brass Studio
Susan Williams, Natural Trumpet
Josué Meléndez, Cornetto
Maximilien Brisson, Sackbut
Emmanuel Frankenberg, Historical Horn
Application and Fees
Application deadline
January 3, 2026
Click here to apply
Course fee – Active participation
€ 280 / € 140 (students) € 40 (students HfK Bremen)
Course fee – passive participation
€ 140 / € 70 (students) € 0 (students HfK Bremen)
The number of active participants is limited in order to ensure optimal support in individual and ensemble lessons. After submitting your application, you will receive feedback by January 9, 2026 as to whether you have been admitted to active participation.
Applicants who cannot be admitted to active participation are cordially invited to participate passively.
The course fee for active participation is due upon confirmed admission and must be received by January 29, 2026.
In the event of illness of the participant, the course fee can be refunded upon presentation of a medical certificate, minus a processing fee of €40.
Schedule
Monday, February 16, 2026
15:00 – 16:00 Registration (Dechanatstraße 13-15, Entrance hall)
16:00 – 16:30 Welcome Speech and Introductory Lecture (Konzertsaal)
16:00 – 17:00 Lecture (Konzertsaal)
17:00 Meeting for participants to organize classes and ensembles
20:00 Lecturer’s Concert (Galerie)
(Free Admission for all participants)
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
10:00 – 13:00 Masterclasses
14:00 – 14:30 Lecture (Konzertsaal)
14:30 – 15:00 Lecture (Konzertsaal)
15:30 – 18:00 Large ensembles
18:30 – 20:00 Singing from Mensural Notation (Konzertsaal)
Wednesdays, February 18, 2026
10:00 – 13:00 Masterclasses
14:00 – 14:30 Lecture (Konzertsaal)
14:30 – 15:00 Lecture (Konzertsaal)
15:30 – 18:00 Large Ensembles
Thursday, February 19, 2026
10:00 – 13:00 Masterclasses
14:00 – 15:30 Masterclasses
15:30 – 18:00 Large ensembles
19:00 Workshop concert (Galerie) – Free admission
Friday, February 20, 2026
10:00 – 10:30 Lecture (Konzertsaal)
11:00 – 13:00 Masterclasses
14:00 – 17:15 Dress rehearsal for Participants concert (Galerie)
18:00-20:00 Participants concert (Galerie) – Free admission
Further Information
The application deadline is January 3, 2026.
The number of active participants is limited in order to ensure optimal support in individual and ensemble lessons. After submitting your application, you will receive feedback by January 9, 2026 as to whether you have been admitted to active participation.
Applicants who cannot be admitted to active participation are cordially invited to participate passively.
Applications are also possible for existing ensembles. In this case, each ensemble member must apply individually. When applying, please enter the names of the other ensemble members in the comment field.
Pitch of keyboard instruments: Harpsichords & Organs in a = 415 & 465 Hz, Pianoforte in a= 415 & 430 Hz.
In consultation with the lecturers, freely chosen repertoire can be worked on in individual lessons. Information concerning works for larger Ensembles will be communicated with the confirmation of your participation.
If you have any further questions, please send an email to kbb-musik@hfk-bremen.de
Please note that our office is closed during the Christmas period (December 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026) and your email will therefore only be answered after January 4.