Symphony in a Weekend: Mendelssohn's 'Scottish'
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About Symphony in a Weekend: Mendelssohn's 'Scottish'
Join us for this weekend course and immerse yourself in the beauty of Mendelssohn’s rousing Symphony No 3 in A minor, known as the Scottish Symphony. A wonderful opportunity to explore a symphony in-depth and experience the thrill of orchestral playing in a supportive environment.
What is the course about?
Delve deep into the orchestral beauty of Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No 3 in A minor, Op 56, known as the Scottish Symphony.
Experience the thrill of playing in an orchestra in this hands-on course led by expert players from the Tedesca Quartet: violinist Clare Bhabra, viola player Richard Muncey, cellist Jenny Curtis and violinist and conductor Nic Fallowfield. A specialist tutor will also join on the Saturday to coach our woodwind section.
Please note that woodwind seats on this course will be by assessment this year, in response to previous participant feedback and to ensure all players are stretched but not struggling. Please see the 'What we need from you' section below for information on how to audition.
What will you learn?
How will the course be taught?
Who is the course for?
We are looking for the following players: two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets (with both A and Bb instruments), two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, a timpanist and multiple players of the violin, viola, cello and double bass.
All woodwind seats will be by assessment, in response to previous participant feedback. Please see the 'What we need from you' section below for information.
Will music be provided and do you need to prepare or bring anything?
What we need from you
This year, we will be assessing for the woodwind seats on this course, in response to previous course participant feedback and to help ensure participants are stretched but not struggling. The assessment process will be rolling, to honour priority booking, with assessments reviewed in order of submission and seats allocated thus.
To be assessed for a woodwind seat please send a video recording of yourself playing the following extracts from part 1 of your instrument's part. Please email your video to courses@benslowmusic.org.
Flute
Movement I: Bars 84-111
Movement II: Bars 33-47, 87-100
Movement IV: Bars 176-182, 420-452
Oboe
Movement I: Bars 1-16, 94-111
Movement II: Bars 33-47, 83-100, upbeat 124-131, upbeat 183-188
Movement IV: Bars 168-182
Clarinet
Movement I: Bars 63-78, 84-111
Movement II: Bars 9-29, 84-100
Movement IV: Bars 102-121, 420 to 452
Bassoon
Movement I: Bars 1-16, 95-111, 140-146
Movement II: Bars 87-92, 105-122
Tempo guidance
Movement I:
Andante con moto, crotchet = 68
Allegro un poco agitato, dotted crotchet = 86
Assai animato, dotted crotchet = 100
Movement II: crotchet = 116
Movement IV:
Allegro vivacissimo, minim = 108
Allegro maestoso assai, dotted crotchet = 86
If you are unable to play at these tempi but just below, please do not worry.
Course Tutors
Tedesca Quartet
Find out moreThe Tedesca Quartet began rehearsing in January 2011 and gave its first concerts later that year, at Benslow Summer Music Festival and in the…
Nic Fallowfield
Find out more1st violin Nic Fallowfield has extensive experience as violinist, conductor and teacher. He was co-leader of Sinfonia ViVA from 1987, the year he…
Clare Bhabra
Find out moreClare Bhabra studied music at Birmingham University where she graduated in 1984 with a B.Mus and a 1st in performance. She continued her studies at…Richard Muncey
Find out moreRichard Muncey studied at the Royal College of music with Bernard Shore. Whilst there, he won the major viola prize and became a founder member of…
Jenny Curtis
Find out moreCellist Jenny Curtis studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, where she was awarded many prizes and scholarships. She took part in…
“The Tedesca lead with such a light relaxed touch, but with musical integrity and rigour. They give you enough confidence to be able to join them on a journey you didn't think possible.”
