Violin Masterclass
Masterclass Al-Andalus for violinists offers an extraordinary opportunity to study with three internationally renowned violinists and pedagogues who represent living bridges to the great pedagogues of the past, representing the legacies of Ivan Galamian, the Franco-Belgian school as passed from Eugene Ysaÿe and Josef Gingold, and the Eastern European dynamics of Stefan Georgiu.
Violinists and pedagogues David Russell, Andrés Cárdenes, and Irina Muresanu will conduct the classes. The masterclasses are held jointly, so that all participants will have contact with each member of the violin faculty during each class, offering the participant three different perspectives.
Themes for the Masterclasses:
Solo Bach, Ysaÿe Sonatas, or any other work for unaccompanied violin
Concerti - One movement from a concerto of any period
“From the Soil of Al-Andalus” - Spanish, Arabic, and/or Jewish-themed repertoire for violin, i.e. Sarasate, Falla, Granados, Kreisler, Bloch
“Free Style” - Student’s choice of any repertoire
“In the Old Style” - Small stylistic character pieces, i.e. Kreisler, Amy Beach, Massenet, Ponce, Heifetz, Chopin-Milstein
“In the Gypsy Style” - Any concert work with a gypsy element
All repertoire must be performance ready upon arrival in Spain, ready to rehearse with our collaborative pianists.
Select students will perform in the high-profile Gala concert in Convento Trinidad at the conclusion of the masterclass. Repertoire for that concert will be chosen from the Spanish repertoire brought to the masterclass.
Other unique events focused on the culture will include a concert in the historically Jewish city of Lucena, an experience with flamenco, tours of the Fortaleza La Mota, the Alhambra in Granada, and the “Mezquita: Alma de Cordoba” night tour of the 8th century Mosque/Cathedral of Cordoba. Other activities of cultural immersion and understanding of the history of the Al-Andalus period will also be offered.
Meet the Faculty
Learn more about David Russell, Andrés Cárdenes, and Irina Muresanu.
Past Participants
Since the start of Masterclass Al-Andalus in 2018, students from across the globe have made it the elite musical program it is today. Learn more about these students and their masterclass experiences.
