International WinterAcademy & Historic Brass Studio 2027

French Music 1600-1800

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, France maintained a unique musical culture which to a certain extent resisted the spread of Italian music across Europe. French opera was established with its roots in theatre and poetry, the air de cour became popular, instrumental and keyboard music developed an individual style through rhythmic structures, harmonic language and elaborate ornamentation, church music flourished particularly with the development of the grand motet, and dance music grew in popularity. Music printing, as with elsewhere in Europe, also expanded, as did instrument making. The musique du roi established under Louis XIII, and maintained and expanded under Louis XIV at Versailles was instrumental in supporting and promoting music and musicians. Under Louis XV from 1715 court music gradually began to decline, but the rise of commercial music paved the way for new ventures and interest in imported styles from the 1750s. Some of the leading and most influential composers of the period include Jean-Baptiste Lully, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, the Couperins, Louis-Nicolas Clérambault, Antoine Forqueray, Marin Marais, Jean-Henri d’Anglebert, Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre and Jacques-Martin Hotteterre. The 2027 Winter Academy provides the opportunity to study and perform music drawn from any aspect of the rich musical culture of France in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

WinterAcademy

Benno Schachtner, Historical Voice

Mirjam-Luise Münzel, Recorder

Katharina Andres, Historical Oboe

Giovanni Graziadio, Historical Basson/Dulcian

Mechthild Karkow, Baroque Violin/Viola

Veronika Skuplik, Baroque Violin/Viola

Olaf Reimers, Baroque Violoncello

Hille Perl, Viola da Gamba

Bernhard Klapprott, Harpsichord/Pianoforte

Krzysztof Urbaniak, Historical Organ

Joachim Held, Lute

Johanna Seitz, Historical Harp

Detlef Bratschke, Vocal Ensemble

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

December 27, 2026

Course fee – Active participation

€ 290 / € 150 (students) € 50 (students HfK Bremen)

Course fee – passive participation

€ 150 / € 90 (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 mid January, 2027 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, 2027.

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 15, 2027

15:00 – 16:00 Registration (Dechanatstraße 13-15, Entrance hall)

16:00 – 16:30 Welcoming Address (Konzertsaal)

16:30 – 17:00 Lecture (Konzertsaal)

17:00 Meeting for participants to organize classes and ensembles

Evening program

Tuesday, February 16, 2027

Masterclasses

Lecture

20:00 Lecturer’s Concert (Konzertsaal) (Free Admission for all participants)

Wednesdays, February 17, 2027

Masterclasses

Lecture

Thursday, February 18, 2027

Masterclasses

Lecture

19:00 Workshop concert with small ensembles (Galerie) – Free admission

Friday, February 19, 2027

Rehearsal and Concert with Large Ensembles and Historic Brass

Further Information

The application deadline is December 27, 2026.

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 23, 2026 – January 8, 2027) and your email will therefore only be answered after January 11.