The tenth Trasimeno Music Festival will be held from July 5th to July 11th 2014. The location is on Lake Trasimeno in the heart of Umbria. It is just twenty minutes from the beautiful historic city of Perugia. The Artistic Director, renowned British Canadian concert pianist Angela Hewitt, established the festival in 2005. She participates in most concerts, presenting a varied programme of solo recitals. The concerts also feature chamber music and concerto performances.

Angela Hewitt is offering a second series of master classes in Italy this year (the first series took place in 2010) which will no doubt prove to be both inspiring and hugely enjoyable. It’s the ideal opportunity for young players to work with one of the world’s leading pianists.

The master classes will occur from July 14^th to July 19^th 2014. They will be held at the Liceo Artistico “Leoncillo Leonardi” in Spoleto. All classes will be conducted in English. Selected participants must prepare a large programme to include a major work by J.S. Bach (or two preludes and fugues), a Beethoven sonata, a work by either Chopin or Schumann, a French work, two own choice pieces (excluding Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Scriabin, or Medtner), a Bach concerto and a Mozart concerto (all but the Bach concerto must be prepared from memory). Students may also be asked to learn a ‘quick study’ piece at short notice too, and they will all receive at least four 45 minute lessons with Angela Hewitt over the six-day period. During the week, a selection of students who applied as auditors can perform one piece from their repertoire. This will provide a further opportunity for these students.

This course is primarily for outstanding students, but it will also be a fascinating and beneficial experience for all those interested in piano playing including both amateur and professional pianists. It’s possible to attend all the master classes as an auditor plus the final concert for just 150 Euros (75 Euros for students under 25), daily passes can be obtained for 30 Euros (15 Euros for students under 25) or a three-hour session can be enjoyed for 15 Euros (or 7.50 Euros for students under 25).

A week of sumptuous piano playing set in a stunning location is surely a welcome addition to any Summer holiday.  Find out more information about the course here.

You can enjoy my interview with Angela, which was recorded last year at Jaques Samuel Pianos in London, here.