- Course Dates
February 21, 2025 6:30 pm –
February 23, 2025 4:00 pm - Observer Pass
February 22, 2025
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Level: Advanced
Fee: £350
French piano music: the lighter alternative
with Julian Jacobson
Our piano repertoire tends to be centred on the great Austro-German classics, with the emotionally charged Russian composers adding further weight. French music offers us a delicious alternative, concentrating on charm, colour and poetic fantasy, and encouraging a personal response. It requires a light, sensitive touch, a feel for fluid phrasing and subtle, sensitive use of both pedals.
Bring one or more of your favourite French pieces and prepare to be guided towards a deeper understanding of how to play this enchanting repertoire!
Suggested composers: Fauré, Chabrier, Debussy, Ravel, Satie, Poulenc, Tailleferre, Milhaud, Messiaen.
As an alternative to a second French piece, you may bring a non-French piece requiring a similar approach and lightness of touch.
A £70 deposit is required to secure your place on this course. The balance of fees, including accommodation, is due 3 weeks before the course start date.
You can also buy an Observer Pass for this course. The Observer Pass entitles you to attend on SATURDAY from 11am–1pm as an observer only and costs £10. This can be redeemed against a subsequent course booking. Places are limited. More info and terms and conditions here.
Venue: Jackdaws Music Education Trust
Venue Phone: 01373 812383
Address:Course Information
Is this Course right for me?
The answer is probably yes as we welcome musicians of all abilities and backgrounds on our courses but if you would like to find out more before you book please read about our course levels, or email or call our office manager Karolyn on 01373 812 383 / music@jackdaws.org and she will be able to offer further guidance.
If you are still unsure then maybe consider one of our “Try before you buy” Observer Passes which enable you to come and see one session in action.
Full Observer places may also be bookable for a whole weekend subject to availability. Call / email the office for more information.
Please see our General Course Information pages for further details and schedule information.
Our Courses are for adult musicians (except where stated) and take place at Jackdaws in Great Elm, near Frome in Somerset. The Course Fee includes all tuition, meals and refreshments at Jackdaws. Courses take place in the main studio, with Steinway piano, and generally follow a masterclass format. There are several practice rooms here, too.
Repertoire
For Voice, Piano & Wind courses; participants are usually requested to prepare 2 – 3 pieces in advance. We will ask you to provide a repertoire list for the tutor (& accompanist) ahead of the course.
For Ensemble courses; direction will be given by the course leaders.
Accommodation
If you require B&B, we can arrange that for you; accommodation fees are payable in addition to the course fee.
Meals and Refreshments
Lunch, Supper and morning/afternoon refreshments will be prepared on site by our dedicated Cooks. If you are vegetarian/vegan, or have a food allergy, you must let us know in advance, so that our cooks can plan the meals for the weekend accordingly. We are ‘allergy aware’, but we rely on participants letting us know if they have specific food allergies. Please also let us know if you carry any emergency medication.
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