The Haarlem Sessions

Our aim is to provide enriching educational experiences for emerging and developing artists. We draw on the vast knowledge and experience of musicians who have immersed themselves in the research of Early Recordings Inspired Performance. These workshop sessions will help you understand the significance of early recordings as a source of musical guidance. As we acknowledge the deceptive nature of musical notation, we will look at written sources through the prism of aural evidence to help us read between the lines of the score. As both Hummel and Spohr noted in their instrumental methods, while a literal reading of the text is “correct”, it falls short of being “beautiful”. We will seek informed ways to revive the beauty, spontaneity, and eloquence of late 18th- and 19th-century music making.

For this first edition, there will be a short welcoming session on Friday evening. On Saturday and Sunday, the sessions will run all day, with a final concert of the participants on Sunday evening. In addition to the lessons, students can expect short lectures and a roundtable discussion to close the weekend.

Music making before the 19th century

Recent research shows that while the changes in performance styles during the 19th century were complex and multifaceted, many performance conventions were preserved until even the early 20th century. Some of these conventions can be heard on early recordings, especially of artists who were trained in a conservative “classical” style. By studying 18th- and 19th-century written sources and comparing them to some of the earliest recordings, it is possible to speculate (in an informed manner!) about how Classical style performances might have sounded. We will delve into various methods for exploring these connections between centuries, styles and types of historical evidence to redefine our understanding of interpretive possibilities in the Classical style.

Exploring the Classical Style

In a dynamic collaboration,  Artem Belogurov (fortepiano) and Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde (cello) join forces with internationally acclaimed violinist and director Rachael Beesley to present this inaugural international Classical chamber music masterclass, held in the Lutherse Kerk in Haarlem, The Netherlands. Titled "Haarlem Sessions - Exploring the Classical Style", this immersive program invites curious students and aspiring young professionals of the fortepiano and HIP strings to delve into the Classical era.

What will you learn?

Building on the experience of the Romantic Lab, we will take a fresh look at 18th-century sources and musical notation, experimenting with what can be learned from historical recordings and early 19th-century editions of Classical repertoire.

• Establish connections between 18th and 19th-century written sources
We will explore the evolution of musical notation and performance practice from the Classical to the early Romantic era, identifying the common threads and distinguishing features of each period.

• Fuel your imagination with audible examples of musicians from the past
By listening to recordings of renowned 19th-century performers and 18th-century mechanical instruments, we will gain insights into their interpretational approaches and how they brought the music to life.

• Push your own boundaries and explore new ways of being expressive
We will challenge ourselves to experiment with different performance techniques and interpretative strategies, expanding our repertoire of expressive possibilities.

• Learn about the cutting-edge performance practice research happening right now
We will have an overview of the most recent studies and projects where similar subjects are explored. You will be introduced to online resources and given a reading list for future reference.

• Get an opportunity to play on an excellent copy of a 1783 Stein fortepiano with two actions (leathered and bare wooden hammers)
This fortepiano will allow us to experience the nuances and expressive capabilities of keyboard instruments of the Classical era.

To learn more about the builder and the piano watch the following video: