Best conservatoires/teachers for technical training

[russda_man]

I am doing a year at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, but after that I really want to go to Russia to study, as I have heard that it is one of the best places in the world for technical training, which is what I want more than anything at the moment! Does anyone have any idea about the conservatoires over there? I know about the St Petersburg and Moscow Cons being the top ones, but does anyone have any other ideas about anywhere else? I also know Paris is supposed to be good. Then there is the option of private teachers, which I know little about! Your comments would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[a-sharp]

What exactly is "technical" training? (Forgive my naivete)... I mean - Would you really want to be a purely technical musician? I personally feel there is an abundance of purely technical musicians. Music to me is not about mechanics (entirely), it's about feeling & emotion. Without the latter element(s), the "technic" is effectively useless (JMNSHO)....

Anyway - I don't think the really good schools would leave out that element (I would hope.....)

Good luck (sorry - no suggestions). Julliard?

[russda_man]

What exactly is "technical" training? (Forgive my naivete)... I mean - Would you really want to be a purely technical musician? I personally feel there is an abundance of purely technical musicians. Music to me is not about mechanics (entirely), it's about feeling & emotion. Without the latter element(s), the "technic" is effectively useless (JMNSHO)....

Anyway - I don't think the really good schools would leave out that element (I would hope.....)

Good luck (sorry - no suggestions). Julliard?

I think I have the musicality within me already, it's only because I am already thinking a few years ahead and am trying to get some ideas and info. Technical training is what I have lacked all my life, but I guess I am just attracted to the severity of the training in Russia. I am already learning all of the Liszt studies (trans, Paganinni etc), Prok etudes, Chopin etudes, Bach Preludes and Fugues, Cortot Rational Principles of piano technique and Beringer exercises, because I want to be a virtuoso. If I can have the virtuosity this would only help with the emotion and musicality. Julliard is also on my list, btw. Thanks.

[faulty_damper]

Clearly someone has fallen victim to the "Russian (or Rushin' ) School" propaganda.

I recommend going German because they took control over most of Europe in the early part of the 20th century.  They were ruthless.

You can't go wrong with American because they were and still are dominant in the world.

And NEVER go with French!


FYI, the reason why Juilliard is a "good" music school is because they only accept good students to begin with.  Just like my doctor only has healthy patients.

[Kassaa]

Everybody thinks he or she is musical, you need a very good teacher to let that musicality develop.

[russda_man]

Clearly someone has fallen victim to the "Russian (or Rushin' ) School" propaganda.

I recommend going German because they took control over most of Europe in the early part of the 20th century.  They were ruthless.

You can't go wrong with American because they were and still are dominant in the world.

And NEVER go with French!


FYI, the reason why Juilliard is a "good" music school is because they only accept good students to begin with.  Just like my doctor only has healthy patients.

Thank you for your advice. I was actually talking to a chinese student at Trinity about Moscow Conservatory, and he was saying that in audition you have to be able to play scales very very fast, I can't remember how fast he said. Maybe the Russian school is too much speed, technique, etc. Can you recommend any German Schools/conservatories? Or any other American places. Bearing in mind and I should have said this earlier, I am 28! But I am already at quite a high level. Thanks.

[franz_]

Gor for a teacher, and not for a school. F.e. there are many Russian teachers in Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium.

[richard black]

If you want to go abroad and be adventurous, the conservatoire in Tbilisi, Georgia, has lots of very good teachers and an amazingly high standard of piano playing all round. Only drawback is learning the Georgian language, which is beautiful but utterly remote from all others (own alphabet too) - quite a few Georgians speak English but by no means all. My wife is Georgian (and a pianist) so I've met a few of the Cons. bods through her.

[russda_man]

If you want to go abroad and be adventurous, the conservatoire in Tbilisi, Georgia, has lots of very good teachers and an amazingly high standard of piano playing all round. Only drawback is learning the Georgian language, which is beautiful but utterly remote from all others (own alphabet too) - quite a few Georgians speak English but by no means all. My wife is Georgian (and a pianist) so I've met a few of the Cons. bods through her.

Ok thanks for that.