From: greg dickinson
Date: Sat, Dec 5, 2009
After twenty-four hours of travel including two subway-rides, two flights with a long layover in between, three train-rides winding through wine country, and a midnight shuttle, we had finally arrived in Vianden, Luxembourg. It’s a town of about 1700 people and dates back to medieval times. Change has been minimal in the past several centuries and there is a real castle situated atop a large hill at the center of the town where some of our concerts were held. Surrounded by history and breath-taking scenery, I would live with Carter’s Woodwind Quintet, Tower’s Island Prelude, Mozart’s Piano Quintet, an aria from Bach’s Cantata 204, and Cimarosa’s Gloria Patri Initially, I felt like I was in a sink or swim scenario but managed to fall in love with Vianden and all of this music along the way.
Getting to know the oboe again was challenging and exciting all at the same time. At one time, I had been a bigger oboe-dork than most. I had slept, ate, and breathed cane shavings and Ferling etudes, but I’d fully abandoned it only to be thrown back in to the mix full-time now with six (plus!) hours of performance, practice, and rehearsal daily. It was, to say the least, an upset to my daily routine. I was lucky to be with my supportive and patient partner, but meeting Bert Lucarelli in Luxembourg was a true and timely blessing.
I enjoyed watching him working with other students. It was obvious how much he cared about the music he was teaching and that he wanted them to take joy in what they were doing. He somehow made the most boring interval excercises interesting. In chamber music coachings, he showed an appreciation and depth of knowledge in all aspects of music making often speaking to string players about bowings or singers about diction, and not just how to play the oboe well. Most memorable, was a coaching on the Cimarosa Gloria Patri in which he worked with a young soprano who was struggling with confidence and command of the stage.By taking her in his arms and nearly dancing with her while she was singing, he showed her that she needed to “be” the music, something more than just executing the notes with solid technique, intonation, and efficient breath control.
In my four lessons, we worked on fundamentals: tone production, breathing, vibrato, technique, and shaping a line, but what I took away will keep me thinking for a lifetime. His manner of delivery was frank, but all of his comments were gently couched and easy to swallow. He spoke eloquently on the Bach Partita in regard to phrasing and style debunking some “myths” about the right way to play baroque music and Bach in particular. I will always remember playing duets from Bach’s orchestral works at the ends of my lessons and how he could make the oboe sing.
Apart from lessons, Dan and I had a great time at the festival. It was an amazing place to celebrate our anniversary together. The accommodations were more than adequate and the hospitality that we experienced was second to none. And the food! Spreads of cured meats, yogurt, pastries, breads, cereals, and fresh fruit for breakfast were followed by three-course, sit-down, full-service meals everyday at lunch. We sampled local delicacies like whole roasted river trout along with French and German classics like Beouf Bourgignon and pan-fried schnitzel with potato salad. I, of course, also sampled the local wines – one of my favorites was a Rivaner from the local vineyards. It had delicious fresh apricot fruit balanced with a crisp mouthwatering finish that made me want to eat every last bit of my luxurious lunches, eventually putting on ten pounds over the course of our time there. In fact, I had to buy a new suit before I could return to work.
Both Dan and I played more concerts in two weeks than we had initially bargained for, but performing again was exhilarating for me. We had some great coachings with many amazingly talented people and played in some beautiful old churches and, most exciting, the castle on top of the hill at a concert for local and foreign dignitaries. The festival ultimately fostered a familial atmosphere and a good time was had by all. New friendships were made and romance blossomed all around us.We departed fully satisfied.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, but we made many memories and can't wait to return!
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This year, I went to the Vianden International Music Festival. Vianden is a very beautiful town. The temperature is very comfortable. It is a nice place for people who do not want to stay in a hot city in the summer. The town people were very nice and the town is very safe. The hotel was also great. Every day, the restaurant in the hotel serves delicious breakfast and lunch. It’s a great place for a summer vacation.
The most important thing was my musical experience. It was a pleasure for me to go to this festival. I have gained a lot musical experience through this event. This festival gathered young musicians and professional musician from everywhere around the world. I have also made many friends. Everyone in the festival is extremely talented. The students were able to play a piece just after a few days of rehearsals. We also got to see the faculties play together, something we don’t see a lot, even in music schools. The performances were very sophisticated, and the people attended, even the local people, applauded very warmly for all the performers. The students played very often. There is almost a performance every day. Everybody played at least twice. Some students even got to play five times! I got to play in the medieval Vianden Castle. It was the first castle I’ve ever been in (There is no castles in New York City). Not many people have the chance to play in a castle. We also got to go to the Trinitarier Church, where all the organ pieces were played. Some students also had the chance to play in Germany. There was Klezmer evening in the Ancien Cinema, which was a traditional Jewish music.
Many courses were offered in this festival. Every rehearsal and lessons are 45 min. long. There were French, German, and Italian diction class for the singers, but non-singers were also welcomed. A morning breathing class takes place every morning. During the two weeks, there were four private lessons and two studio class. There was also chamber music. The students would rehearse by themselves first, and then a faculty would come and coach. Extra private lessons can be also scheduled.
Even though this festival took place in Vianden, the town is easily access through buses and trains. In Luxembourg City, the train station is connected with trains and high-speed lines. When I came to the festival, I landed in Paris, and then took the TGV to Luxembourg. I also got to visit Brussels. The festival organized an excursion to Luxembourg City and Trier, one of the oldest towns in Germany.
I would like to say thank you to every staff and faculty who made this festival possible. Even though this festival was only two weeks long, I have gained lots of musical experience and became more mature as a musician. I had fun during my stay at Europe, and I wish more people would come to the festival and experience music deeper.
Yibiao Wang
September 2010
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From: Youjin Ko
Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010
This year, I had an unforgettable experience at Vianden Music Festival! It was my first time in Europe and I didn't know what to expect.
On the first day, when we stepped out of the plane, we were conveniently welcomed by Karen and a bus took all of us straight to the hotel.
Everyone was pleasantly surprised with the hotel and our rooms. The hotel was at the perfect distance to the school and had a great view of the beautiful Vianden Castle. The friendly hotel staff and clean rooms were the perfect place to rest after hours of rehearsal and practice. Rehearsal sessions all were very helpful and mind-opening. The professors did their best to help us prepare the music in a short amount of time. Even by sacraficing some of their lunch times to schedule extra rehearsals! Everyone was so supportive of all of us. The concerts were also great to be a part of and enjoyable to listen to. This was such an amazing experience, and I will never be able to forget it. Thanks to all staff and professors!
Youjin Ko
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From:
Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2010
"Under the leadership of the gifted Semyon Rozin, the Vianden Music Festival is unique among Europe's many summer training programs in that it provides each student first-hand experience in performances of chamber music, opera and musical theater with teachers of the first rank. Beyond that, the accommodations and cuisine are excellent, the town of Vianden is charming, clean, peaceful and friendly and the historic sites of the area are well worth getting to know. I highly recommend students of all types of music to seriously consider this new and wonderful training program.
Nicholas Muni
Stage Director
Artist-in-Residence and Professor of Opera
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
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From:
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Sent: Monday, October 04, 2010
There are very few moments that truly change one’s life. The Vianden International Music Festival undoubtedly changed mine. I was given the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment filled with people who are as passionate about music as I am. I discovered so much about how far my music can take me, and how far I can go if I believe in myself. Having this experience inspired me to make my own opportunities and to challenge myself throughout life in any way I can.
Sincerely,
Georgia
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From: Ji-Hyun Kim
Sent: Wednesday, November 3, 2010
What an experience! When Dr. Caroline Hartig suggested this festival to me early this year, a lot of the aspects of this particular festival seemed like it was what I would benefit the most from. As I was then finishing my doctorate degree in music performance with a specialization in contemporary music, spending my two weeks of summer at this non-competitive solo and chamber music festival held in Luxembourg sounded too good to be true. In my past years of studying violin, I have attended (and also taught at) numerous music festivals and camps in countries such as South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. In majority of the cases, these musical activities were set in competitive settings, concentrating more on solo and orchestral performances than in chamber music (unless the festival itself is specifically designed for "ONLY" chamber music). With the Vianden Music Festival, what fancied me the most was the "flexibility" in the choice of repertoire, number of ensembles, choice of "floating" between faculty members, and working out the daily schedule around the given rehearsal times. The only issue I had with attending this festival was the financial portion as I was scheduled to teach summer classes. However, after sending in my CV and audition recording, the director Mr. Semyon Rozin has helped me tremendously in finding every possible way to provide the financial support to have me attend the festival. Through receiving this help, we have worked out a slightly different schedule from other participants, performing 7 different chamber repertoire in 12 days! Also, Mr. Andrew Campbell, the chamber music director, was very supportive in the idea of premiering some 21st-Century American music as well as other more traditional repertoire. Working with Mr. Rozin as the concertmistress of his orchestra was another really enjoyable experience in addition to my rather "full" schedule of chamber rehearsals.
I believe that all of the participants would agree with me on the fact that the musical aspects were not the "only" thing that made this festival such a wonderful experience. The quality of the accommodation and rehearsal/concert facilities have exceeded my expectations by far, and the food was absolutely delicious. The local people as well as the important guests we met at the special reception were very kind and generous (who would've guessed that we would have the assistant mayor as our chauffeur!). The local audience I have encountered on the Klezmer Evening were very easy-going and welcoming, which made my first Klezmer debut more enjoyable than stressful. The very last night of the festival was a true blast! After the final concert, all participants and faculties were invited to the Ancien Cinema Cafe by Mr. Rozin, and had a great farewell evening. I have made numerous new friends among participants, but what I think I would treasure the most would be the new positive connections I have made with the faculty members. The fact that I just began teaching in college level may have influenced this also, but it couldn't have been possible without the "openness" of those faculty members. As I am now moving forward in my teaching and performing career as a full-time professional, I hope to have my students experience this amazing opportunity at Vianden in the years to come.
- Ji Hyun Kim from Michigan, U.S.A.
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Ji Hyun Kim, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola
Spring Arbor University
Artist-Teacher in Residence
Jackson Symphony Orchestra
Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Vianden International Music Festival was an amazing experience. To be able to study such wonderful music in beautiful Vianden, Luxembourg with world renown musicians and teachers was simply incredible. I learned so much from my time in Vianden and had such awesome performing opportunities, I will carry those lessons and experiences with me always.
-Nicole
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