- Piano
L'Académie musicale de Villecroze, in partnership with Royaumont Foundation – La Grange Fleuret Library, is offering a piano masterclass led by Jean-Frédéric Neuburger.
This masterclass will focus on two main complementary themes:
- the Classical and Romantic repertoire, beginning with Johann Sebastian Bach;
- 20th- and 21st-century music, notably through a partnership with the Bibliothèque La Grange Fleuret and the Claude Helffer Collection.
The masterclass will take place at the Académie musicale de Villecroze from Monday, 15 March to Wednesday, 24 March 2027. It will conclude with a final concert given by the participants on Tuesday, 23 March 2027, at the Académie musicale de Villecroze.
This session will provide young pianists with an exceptional setting in which to prepare for concerts and international competitions, while also deepening their work on the repertoire for two pianos and concertos, thanks to the availability of two Steinway pianos for the lessons.
In addition, a selection of excerpts from works from the Claude Helffer Collection will be sent to the selected participants. This sample, consisting mainly of French musical works annotated and studied by Claude Helffer, may serve as a source of inspiration for piano students.
Two lecture-workshops, presented by Gabriela Elgarrista, will complement the masterclass, enabling participants to discover Claude Helffer and his influence on the field of Classical and Contemporary piano performance:
1. A presentation of Claude Helffer as a multifaceted figure, his place among the leading performers and teachers of the 20th and 21st centuries, and his approach to the repertoire will provide an opportunity to discover the richness of the Collection and the works selected by Jean-Frédéric Neuburger, as well as the perspectives they offer to today's young pianists.
2. A workshop devoted to Claude Helffer's critical edition of Claude Debussy's Études, designed to raise participants' awareness of source analysis and of the critical perspective performers bring to a musical work.
The partnership with the Royaumont Foundation – Bibliothèque La Grange Fleuret may, where appropriate, continue beyond the masterclass, notably through concerts or collaborative projects involving some of the pianists participating in Jean-Frédéric Neuburger's masterclass and the Claude Helffer Collection.
Masterclass tuition, individual lessons, accommodation, and meals on site are fully covered by the Académie during the 10 day timeframe.
Only transportation to the Académie is the participant’s responsibility. Students living abroad who encounter difficulties and are unable to afford a plane ticket may apply for financial assistance to cover part of their travel expenses; each request is carefully considered.
Applications open: September 16, 2026
Application deadline: December 16, 2026