Prof. Denis Severin

Cello

Genève-Neuchâtel University of Music, Hochschule der Künste Bern

Biography

Denis Severin is Professor of Cello at the Geneva-Neuchâtel University of Music and the Bern University of the Arts. He is the Artistic Director of the Langenthal International String Academy (LISA) and also directs the ArtCello Festival and the Klangwelten concert series in Rheinfelden. He is also President of the “Art Without Borders” association.

His awards include the Echo Klassik Prize in 2015, a Grammy Award nomination in 2007, and a nomination at the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) in 2018; he has also received several international competition prizes.

As a soloist and chamber musician, Severin performs in the world’s most prestigious concert halls and collaborates with leading ensembles and outstanding musicians. He is a regular guest soloist and lecturer at festivals such as the Lucerne Festival, the Cello Academy Rutesheim, the Cello Biennale Amsterdam, and the CellEast Festival, to name just a few. He also serves as a jury member for several music competitions.

Severin studied at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory under Dmitri Miller. He continued his studies at the Geneva University of Music (under Daniel Grossgurin), the Basel Academy of Music (with Thomas Demenga), the École Normale de Musique de Paris (with Gary Hoffman), and the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (with Christophe Coin). He also participated in masterclasses with renowned teachers such as Janos Starker, Anner Bylsma, Natalia Gutman, Antonio Meneses, Truls Mørk, and Reinhard Latzko.

His recordings include releases on Naxos Records with Johann Sebastian Bach – Brandenburg Concertos (2007, Grammy nomination, Swiss Baroque Soloists), on Sony Classical with Sergey Rachmaninoff – Romances for Cello and Piano (with Tatiana Korsunskaya, 2009), on Panclassics with Giuseppe Maria Cambini – String Quartets (Ensemble Entr’acte, 2010), and on Musikproduktion Dabringhaus & Grimm with Luise Adolpha Le Beau – Chamber Music (Bartek Niziol, Denis Severin, Tatiana Korsunskaya, 2014; ECHO KLASSIK 2015) and MDG Musikhaus Dabringhaus & Grimm – Trios by Eduard Napravnik. A solo recording was released in 2020 on Solo Musica: Camerata Franconia with works by Schumann, Cassadó, Rachmaninoff, and Fauré.

In all his activities, Denis Severin combines exceptional musical versatility with intensive teaching, involvement in festivals and an active contribution to the promotion of young talent.

Course services

At least 3 individual lessons
Piano accompanist — a professional piano accompanist will be provided during the master class and for the performances.
Participant auditions — each participant has the opportunity to perform his / her finished repertoire for any upcoming competitions, concerts or auditions on one of the evenings during the master class. Please contact us for the wished audition by email.
Final concert — the participants of the master class can perform at the final concert after the end of the master class in order to present the program of the master class to the public and perform it publicly. One or another professor, at his discretion, will perform with the participants in duets or chamber music ensembles. The audience will present the Audience Award to the best artist of the concert under the condition, that at least ten visitors, who have purchased a ticket, attend a concert.
Career Advice — the tutor and director will be happy to advise you on topics such as studies, concerts, competitions, scholarships, auditions, management and self-management, and instrument procurement. Please contact us informally by e-mail for that.
Concert events in Berlin for the selected participants — the selected participants of the master class, chosen by the professor and the leadership of the Academy, will soon be offered a solo concert in Berlin. The date will be agreed with the artist.
Audience Award — directly after the final concert, an audience award in the amount of 50% of the entrance fees in cash as well as a certificate will be awarded to the participant selected by the audience under the condition, that at least ten visitors, who have purchased a ticket, attend a concert.
Two scholarships — with twelve or more master class participants, two scholarships in the amount of the participation fee will be awarded to two of the best students selected by the professor and the leadership of the academy after the final concert, including a certificate.

Performance with an orchestra

All participants in Berlin now have the option to perform with a chamber orchestra for the additional price of 490 € – 20 min., 700 € – 30 min. (this price includes a professional multi-angle video recording of your performance with 3 cameras). This option requires the registration of at least three participants so that the concert with chamber orchestra can take place. The decision to hold this concert will be communicated to you immediately after the minimum number of registrations for this option has been reached. Otherwise you will receive a refund for this option. Participation in the master class is not dependent on this option.

Location

BLACKMORE'S – Berlins Musikzimmer
Warmbrunner Str. 52
Berlin, 14193 | Germany

BLACKMORE'S - Berlins Musikzimmer has a chamber music hall and three more classrooms where participants can practice during the master class or longer, except during concerts. The opening hours will be announced in the invitation to the master class together with the schedule.

Accommodation

The closest hotels for the affordable price are:

Hotel St.-Michaels-Heim Sens City Hotel Albergo Hotel Villa Konstanz

Application

REGISTRATION: If you don’t register using our online registration form, please attach the following documents to your application by email or post:
– completed application form
– copy of your passport or ID
– C.V.
– artist photo
– list of the prepared works – your program

Course fees

3 Lessons

649 €

4 Lessons

799 €

5 Lessons

949 €

6 Lessons

1099 €

Passive listener

200 €

Passive listeners have access to all open lessons of the master class, as well as concerts of participants and professors.

Day pass

50 €

Holders of the day pass receive access to all open lessons of the respective master class as well as to the concerts of the participants and professors on the respective day.

With the binding registration, the entire course fee will be charged.

Welcome to the Blackmore International Мusic Academy!