Art of piano: Chopin Etudes

Évelyne Brancart offers a week-long immersion in the art of piano playing, sharing 19th-century performance practices that explore the implicit musical gestures and physical movements characteristic of Romantic interpretation. The sessions will focus on recreating sound, style, and musical line through movement and touch, in the spirit of Marie Jaëll — a devoted pupil of Liszt.

Building on these foundations, Ms. Brancart will examine how Chopin’s musical gestures, expressed through his twenty-seven Études, shape pianistic choreography and the physical movements required to realize his artistic vision.

She will translate Chopin’s musical indications into concrete physical guidance, addressing topics such as balance, hand position, finger attack and release, wrist motion, the role of the elbow and upper arm, management of tension and natural weight, and both vertical and horizontal movement. She will also highlight the distinctive topography of the 19th-century piano keyboard.

Morning sessions will consist of lectures and demonstrations, while afternoon sessions will allow participants to explore these principles through their chosen repertoire. Although the emphasis will be on Chopin’s Études, participants are welcome to present and study other 19th-century works.

Évelyne Brancart 
A native of Belgium, Ms. Brancart is recognized as one of the preeminent pianists of her generation, having been awarded prizes in four international piano competitions: Gina Bachauer-United States, Montreal-Canada, Viotti-Italy and the Queen Elisabeth in Belgium. She has additionally received international critical acclaim, and broad peer and public recognition from solo engagements with orchestra (including the National Orchestra of Belgium and the BBC Symphony Orchestra) and recitals in New York and London; and throughout Europe and the United States.

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In addition to the what is mentioned above, the workshops also include:

• Chamber music coachings
• Opportunities to participate in one or more student concerts
• Networking activities with fellow musicians and faculty members
• Accommodation in double occupancy and three meals per day
• Practice studios equipped with pianos (available from 7AM to 12AM)
• Housekeeping, laundry (for a fee), parking, and free WiFi
• Free tickets for concerts at Salle Gilles-Lefebvre (subject to availability)
• Opportunity to discover the beautiful landscapes of Parc national du Mont-Orford, the majestic Lake Memphremagog, and the tourist activities of the city of Magog