Re-scheduled for 15th January 2022!

The Practising the Piano Online Academy recently celebrated its fifth birthday, but unfortunately we had to postpone the special day of events that we had planned for the 16th of October. We are delighted to announce that we have rescheduled for Saturday 15th January at the Fidelio Cafe in central London!

The day kicks-off with a performance workshop in which six pianists will perform a work of their choice for Graham Fitch and an audience of observers. Graham will then provide each performer with individual tuition, including feedback on style, technique, practice methods or help on any specific questions they have.

Following on from the performance workshop are three special lecture-performances by Graham and Penelope Roskell on bringing Baroque music to life, Mozart’s piano sonata in B-flat (K333) and Schubert’s last sonata (D960).

This promises to be a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a variety of inspiring and informative piano-themed events in a charming, easily accessible venue. However, if you can’t join us in London, you can also watch online as we will be streaming and recording the sessions!

Online Academy birthday bash presenters
Graham Fitch & Penelope Roskell

Schedule

10:00 – Doors open and coffee / tea

10:30 – Performance workshop

12:45 – Brunch / lunch break

14:00 – Lecture-performance (Graham Fitch)

15:00 – Coffee / tea break

15:15 – Lecture-performance (Masayuki Tayama)

16:15 – Coffee / tea break

16:30 – Lecture-performance (Penelope Roskell)

After the last presentation (approx. 17:30), our guests are invited to join us in the downstairs bar for drinks and snacks.

The venue

The Fidelio Cafe is a musically-themed cafe in central London (Clerkenwell) which brings together the magic of great music and authentic culinary creations into an informal, friendly environment. Recreating the atmosphere of the salons of yesteryear, the cafe has featured a prestigious list of artists such as Stephen Hough, Peter Donohoe and Angela Hewitt! Click here for more information about the venue and for the address.

Food & drink

Refreshments will be available during the various breaks from the cafe’s menu giving you the flexibility to enjoy whatever you wish throughout the day’s proceedings. A special menu will be available on this day. Click here to view a sample menu.

Safety policy

We do ask that you are both double vaccinated and have a negative lateral flow test result within 24 hours of the event. As a further precaution, we have deliberately limited numbers to well below those permitted for the venue under current guidance. Further information on the venue’s safety policy and measures is available here.

Sessions & content

Performance Workshop

This event is Graham’s take on a traditional masterclass and is an in-person version of our online performance workshop format. Each performer will have 20 minutes to present a work of their choice (or part thereof) and to work with Graham on specific problems or obtain general feedback on matters such as style, interpretation, technique and practice methods.

Lecture-presentations

The afternoon comprises three lecture-presentations. In the first session, “Bringing Baroque Music to Life”, Graham Fitch presents a rough guide to playing baroque music stylistically and expressively on the piano using works by Bach, Couperin, Rameau and Purcell to illustrate.

This will be followed by a presentation by Graham on Mozart’s Sonata in B flat, K.333, exploring how the sonata is  constructed and how to meet the interpretative and stylistic challenges it presents.

In the last session, Penelope Roskell will perform movements from Schubert’s last sonata (D960) and share some insights on texture, voicing, harmony and what she particularly loves about this monumental work.

Ticket options & prices

In-person tickets are now sold out, but you are most welcome to join us online. We may also have some cancellations in the run up to the event therefore please contact us to see if we have any availability if you’d like to join us in person.

The following links can be used to book an online ticket:

  • Full day – £40 (£24 for Online Academy subscribers), click here to purchase
  • Performance workshop – £25 (£15 for Online Academy subscribers) – click here to purchase
  • Afternoon sessions – £30 (£18 for Online Academy subscribers) – click here to purchase

We will be recording the sessions in addition to streaming them therefore online tickets will also enable you to watch the recordings at your convenience after the event.

Please click here to contact us if you have any further questions or need any additional information.