Grosse Fuge Study Day
May 11, 2024 1-6pm
One Day in-person Course at Jaqueline Du Pre Music Building, St Hilda’s College, Oxford
Join the Villiers Quartet for a day of musical discovery as we explore Beethoven’s extraordinary Grosse Fuge. It is an astonishing piece of music labelled by Stravinsky as “eternally contemporary.” Seen as both fiendishly difficult to play as well as comprehend, it is often felt to be quite inaccessible and so a study day is the perfect way to begin to conquer this extraordinary work.
We will begin our preparations prior to the study day with an online sectional given by each member of the Villiers quartet. Using our prepared parts we will go through the whole piece in detail and give you practical tips on how to prepare for the day itself.
The study day will be divided into two parts; in the first session, the Villiers Quartet will discuss the historic context of the piece, explore the complex harmonic language, dissect the complex textures and demonstrate this all in our open rehearsal. In the second part of the day the VQ will lead a coaching session and a ‘playalong’ of the piece.
The aim is that by the end of the day we will all have a much more extensive appreciation of this great and puzzling work!
1hr Online Sectional (on zoom) prior to the Study Day – Week commencing April 29
This session will be delivered via zoom and it will be possible to catch up with the recording. Marked parts with bowings and fingerings will be provided.
Day Timetable
12:30pm – Arrival and registration
1-2:45pm Session 1
The Villiers Quartet will discuss the historic context of the piece, explore the complex harmonic language, dissect the complex textures and demonstrate this all in our open rehearsal.
3-4:30pm Session 2
The VQ will lead a coaching session in string orchestra formation and a ‘playalong’ of the piece. The Villiers Quartet will coach from within the group. The aim is that by the end of the day we will all have a much more extensive appreciation of this great and puzzling work!
5-6pm – Guest speaker and performance of the Grosse Fuge by the Villiers Quartet.
Fee £100 – course participants, £50 – non-playing participant/observer
Contact [email protected] for enquiry and registration
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