XXIII International Masterclass for Pianists

The first half of the course focuses on Chopin's works for piano and cello. Otherwise, a freely chosen repertoire for solo piano.

Preparation for entrance, diploma and concert examinations, concerts and piano competitions.

Course Times

Sat 24 Sep to Thu 29 Sep 2016, 10.00am – 1.00pm and 4.00pm – 7.00pm daily, Literaturhaus / Kennedy-Haus. Free admission for visitors.

Tutor

Martin Kasík

Martin Kasik, born in Moravia in 1976, has devoted himself to the piano since the age of four. He studied in Ostrava with Monika Tugenliebová and in Prague with Ivan Klánský. He further refined his skills in masterclasses with Lazar Berman, Eugen Indjic, Christian Zacharias, Paul Badura-Skoda and others.

He has received first prizes and awards at major national and international piano competitions, including at the 1998 Prague Spring International Piano Competition, the 1999 Young Concert Artists Competition in New York, the 2000 Prix Davidoff, and the 2002 Harmonie Magazine Award.

The first prize in New York in particular catapulted the then 23-year-old Kasík straight into an international concert career. He now performs with renowned orchestras in the world's great concert halls. He has undertaken several highly successful concert tours through the USA, Canada and Japan, and made his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Pinchas Zukerman.

With a remarkably wide-ranging repertoire, Martin Kasik also performs in solo recitals and various chamber music ensembles, having earned an outstanding reputation as an interpreter of Chopin. Numerous radio recordings and television appearances are complemented by an impressive number of CD recordings, some of which have won awards.

Since 2008 Martin Kasik has been President of the Chopin Festival in Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad), and since 2009 he has taught piano at the Prague Conservatory. He also teaches at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.

Conditions of Participation

Applicants, students and graduates of universities, academies and conservatories, as well as privately taught students, are eligible to participate. Places are limited — early registration is recommended.

Course fee €300 (deposit €100, non-refundable; the remainder is due at the start of the course).