Lectures

Duo Savigni on Arranging Romantic Repertoire for Guitar and Fortepiano

📅 Saturday, March 15

⏰ 10:00-11:00

Explore the art of arranging Romantic repertoire for guitar and fortepiano with Duo Savigni. In this engaging lecture, the duo will share their insights into transforming iconic works from the Romantic era into captivating performances for this unique instrumental pairing. Discover the challenges and creative decisions involved in adapting lush orchestral compositions for guitar and piano, as well as the nuances of blending these two instruments to maintain the emotional depth and beauty of the original works. Perfect for musicians, arrangers, and lovers of Romantic music, this session offers valuable techniques for enriching your own arrangements.

The Art of Arranging by a Performer

📅 Monday, March 17

⏰ 10:00

During this one-hour interactive lecture, Maarten Vandenbemden, professor of applied harmony for guitar at KCB, introduces the guiding principles for arranging for classical guitar. Illustrated by live music examples, we discover the difference between 'transcription' and 'arrangement', how arranging is a process of 'reduction' or of 'orchestration' and how the guitar stubbornly refuses to follow any guiding principle. This lecture was originally developed for the Volterra Project Guitar Summer Institute, www.volterraguitar.org.

Servaas Verbergt on Harmony for Dummies

📅 Wednesday, March 19

⏰ 10:00-11:00

Dušan Bogdanović - The Art of Arranging: A Composer’s Perspective

📅 Thursday, March 20

⏰ 10:00-11:30

Enjoy a rich program of captivating solo and chamber music pieces by the renowned composer, Dušan Bogdanović. This performance highlights Bogdanović’s unique style, blending intricate harmonies and rhythmic complexity. Performed by the talented students of the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel (KCB), this concert promises to be an unforgettable celebration of contemporary classical music, offering a deep dive into the innovative works of one of the most respected figures in modern guitar composition.

Luca Isolani 'Beyond the Strings: Exploring Improvisation on Classical Guitar'

📅 Friday, March 21

⏰ 10:00-11:00

Improvisation has long been a cornerstone of musical expression, widely embraced as both a compositional and performance tool in Eastern traditions and jazz. In recent years, more and more classical musicians have begun integrating improvisation into their practice—whether in the rehearsal room, on stage, or in ensemble settings. This workshop invites participants to explore how improvisation can enhance their daily musical practice. Through spontaneous examples and excerpts from the guitar repertoire, we will focus on improvisation as a complementary tool for musical interpretation, helping musicians develop a deeper connection with their instrument and a more personal approach to performance.