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Degree Standard period of study Language of instruction Language certificates
Master of Music 4 semesters German B 1 (GER)

Qualifying exam

  • Main subject

    Artistic-practical exam
    Duration: 30 minutes
    A written programme must be brought to the examination.

    • One solo piece for piano or harpsichord of your choice (approx. 3-5 minutes)
    • Sight-reading of an easy to moderately difficult piece
    • Performance of one or more pieces with an instrumentalist without prior rehearsal

    For the main subject piano, the following works must be prepared:

    • F. Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata 1st movement (for viola, violoncello or double bass)
    • W. A. Mozart: Violin Concerto in A major No. 5 KV 219 1st movement
    • W. A. Mozart: Flute Concerto in G major K. 313, 1st movement
    • J. Brahms: Sonata in E flat major (for clarinet or viola and piano) Op. 120 No. 2 1st movement
    • F. Poulenc: Sonata for oboe and piano 1st movement

    For the main subject Historical Keyboards the following works must be prepared (on harpsichord):

    • J. S. Bach: Sonata in C minor BWV 1017 for harpsichord obbligato and violin
    • J. S. Bach: Overture in B minor BWV 1067 in the version for flute and harpsichord (Breitkopf)
    • J. S. Bach: Violin Concerto in A minor BWV 1041 (Bärenreiter)
    • A. Vivaldi: Concerto for flute and strings "La Notte" (Schott)
    • C. P. E. Bach: Flute Concerto in G major Wq 169 (Musica Rara)

    Basso Continuo:

    • G. A. Pandolfi Mealli: "La Bernabea" for recorder/violin and b. c. (Doblinger)
    • G. B. Fontana: "Sonata seconda" for violin solo and b. c. (Musedita)
    • Corelli: Sonata op. 5 no. 6 in A major for violin and b. c.
    • J. S. Bach: Sonata for violin and b. c. in E minor BWV 1023

    The examination board selects the pieces to be performed.

    Assessment criteria

    • ability to accompany instrumentalists (balance, breathing, attentiveness)
    • ability to prepare short notice repertoire
    • accompanying skills (in terms of pianistic technique, sound, flexibility)
    • good ability of sight-reading
    • stylistic knowledge
    • creative ability
    • the ability to communicate musical ideas
    • stage presence
    • artistic individuality and expressiveness

Application process

Find out more on our application and admissions page.

for studies starting in winter semester 2021/22Subject-specific study and examination regulations (German)

The subject-specific study and examination regulations form the legal basis for your degree programme. They contain all the information you need to know about your studies, including module descriptions and how your grades are calculated.

Professional field for which the degree programme qualifies

The Master's degree in Instrumental Accompaniment prepares students for a future career in which they will work primarily as an accompanist in a conservatory, opera house, music school or as a freelance pianist.

In addition to solo and chamber music concerts and teaching, accompaniment is another area of the pianist's professional life that offers a wide range of opportunities. Instrumentalists rely on accompanists to rehearse and perform their repertoire.

This places high demands on graduates in terms of both artistic ability and personality, as well as the ability to grasp quickly and in depth the requirements of a wide instrumental repertoire, to convey musical content and to help instrumentalists in all aspects.

Any more questions? Our student service will be happy to help you!