Photo © Chandra Mäder
Masterclasses with Johannes Schlaefli
The masterclasses are for professional conductors and advanced conducting students and take place with various high-quality orchestras from Switzerland and Europe.
Offer:
- Generous podium time, number of participants: 6-12 persons
- Participation in all rehearsals, lessons and coaching of all other participants
- Topics: Hands-on score analysis, discussion of interpretive approaches, rehearsal techniques, video analysis, conducting technique, work on leadership style, peer-group learning.
- On the last day of the masterclass, there are final concerts or masterclass days open to the public
- Participants organize their own sheet music
Participants will be selected by means of a video recording process. The registration fee is 80 CHF (non-refundable)
Teaching language:
English, German
It is a unique opportunity to take a master class with one of the most patient and wise professors, Johannes Schlaefli, and musicians of the highest level.
Izabelė Jankauskaitė
The Masterclasses:
Masterclass Zürich
November 6-7, 2026
Application process closed
Orchestra: Alumniorchestra Zürich
Place: Zürich
Participants: 6
Works:
Strauss: Death and Transfiguration
Tchaikovsky: Violin concerto 1st movement
Masterclass Basel
November 9 - 11, 2026
Application process closed
Orchestra: Ensemble by Basel Chamber Orchestra
Place: Cultural Center Don Bosco, Basel
Participants: 6
Works:
Copland: Appalachian Spring for 13 Instruments
Brahms: Serenade Nr. 1 op. 11 (arranged for ensemble by David Walter)
Masterclass Basel
February 25 - 28, 2027
Application deadline: December 1, 2026
Orchestra: Basel Chamber Orchestra
Place: Cultural Center Don Bosco, Basel
Participants: 6
Works:
Mozart: Symphony nr 39
Mussorgsky: pictures of an exhibition (arr. Gale Joolz)
Bruckner: Symphony nr 4, 1st + 2nd movement (arr. Fergus McAlpine)
Masterclass Nürnberg
March 30 - April 2, 2027
Application deadline: January 9, 2027
Orchestra: Nürnberger Symphoniker
Place: Bayernstrasse 100, Nürnberg
Participants: 10
Works:
Beethoven Symphony nr 4, 1st +2nd movement
Dvorak: Symphony nr 9
Mahler: Symphony nr 4, 3rd movement (arr. G. Koehler)
Debussy: prelude a l’apres-midi d’un faune
Masterclass Bochum
April 12 - 16, 2027
Application deadline: January 9, 2027
Orchestra: Bochumer Symphoniker
Place: Marienplatz 1, Bochum
Participants: 6
Works:
Strauss: Don Juan
Bartok: Hungarian pictures
Dvorak: symphony nr 9
Further Classes with Johannes Schlaefli
Please use the links to apply for the following courses.
Masterclass Sofia
February 7 - 14, 2027
Application deadline december 1, 2026
Orchestra: Allegra Festival Orchestra Sofia, Bulgaria
Place: Sofia, Bulgaria
Participants: 12
Works:
Beethoven: 2nd symphony
Brahms: double-concerto
Mahler: symphony nr 4, 3rd movement
Wagner: prelude Tristan
Schumann: Ouverture op. 52
Murcia Myrtus Conducting Masterclass
April 24 - 28, 2027
application deadline: january 20, 2027
Orchestra: Myrtus Festival Orchestra
Place: Murcia, Spain
Participants: 12
Works:
Mendelssohn: fingals cave ouverture
Beethoven: piano concerto nr 3
Stravinsky: Dumbarton Oaks
Dvorak: czech Suite op. 39