One-year Soloist Programme for Pianists

Objectives:

• to improve skills needed for a soloist career
• to develop and widen solo repertoire (especially concertos)
• to have an insight of the highly difficult piano chamber music works
• to improve self-management skills

Eligibility:

• degree in a classical instrumental music performer master's programme (piano principal study) or a one-tier university-level study programme awarding qualification as a pianist and piano teacher; highest grade for diploma concert
• superior artistic and performance skills
• superior technique
• superior concentration skills
• fully dedicated personality

Duration:

2 semesters (a Certificate is granted upon completion of studies

Language:

English

Tuition fee:

2.600 000 HUF / semester
(scholarship available, contact administrative staff for info)

Subjects and credits:

Course description:

Piano (2 lessons/week):

In-depth analysis of the major works of piano solo and concerto repertoire in terms of meeting the challenges of interpretation, technical skills, concentration. The pieces belong to the most required piano works of concert halls, art management agencies.
Repertoire:

• 2 Beethoven piano concertos
• 3 (min. 20-minute) romantic piano concertos
• 2 piano concertos by a 20th century composer, one must be a Bartók piano concerto
• 4 piano sonatas of Beethoven
• 4 cyclic piano works of the romantic era (one must be a Liszt piece)
• 3 major cyclic piano works of the 20th century (one must be a Bartók piece)

Chamber music (1 lesson/week):

The chamber music repertoire consists of pieces where the piano part could be considered as part of a solo repertoire as it plays an equal role with other parts of the ensemble. Chamber music helps to improve self-control, adaptation skills, and to develop conducting dialogues.

Potenital Repertoire:

• 1 Haydn trio
• 1 Beethoven sonata (with violin or cello)
• Lied accompaniment (pieces of min. 30-minute, especially those of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms)
• A piano quintet of the 19th century romantic era, or of the 20th century

Orchestra observation (altogether 15 hours/semester):

Students visit rehearsals of piano concertos. The subject helps to understand and to have a deep insight into rehearsals, conductors' needs, orchestras' special needs.

Self-management skills (altogether 15 hours/semester):

This chapter covers seminars with a media and art management expert with the aim of meeting the challenges of a successful career in terms of creating a good profile, communication, media, recording, etc.

Audition requirements:

• Two Beethoven piano sonatas
• Two significant romantic solo piano pieces, longer than 15 minutes each. One piece must be a Liszt composition.
• Four virtuoso etudes of  either Chopin, or Liszt or a 20th century composer
• Two significant 20th century piano works, longer than 10 minutes each. One piece must be a Bartók composition.
  
  
• Three piano concertos, from memory (The jury may ask the candidate to perform any part of a piece; it is not compulsory to perform with an orchestra / piano accompaniment - the candidate may bring their own partners). Bach and Mozart concertos are not accepted. One Beethoven concerto may be included, the rest of the concertos ought to be romantic, 19th century and 20th century pieces.

The movements to be performed at the entrance examination are selected by the department some days prior to the exam date. The applicants are notified via email.

The candidate should send the audition programme together with the application documents. At the beginning of the audition, the panel may choose any of the pieces from the previously provided programme, and may stop the performance at any time, as well.

The entrance examination is held: end of June or beginning of July. Exact date is announced until May.

Please regularly check the website of the Academy in case there are any changes in the schedule.

Application:

For further information about the programme and details about the application procedure please turn to the Study Department.