The workshop in harmony for the piano held by Massimiliano Génot offers in-depth study of the historical practice of harmony and counterpoint following the tradition of the Italian school (above all Naples and Bologna) in order to extend the student’s piano skills, in performance, interpretation and composition.
The course aims to revisit and expand on a specific historical didactic method, which was used in teaching piano during the classical-romantic era, died out towards the end of the nineteenth century, and can be summarized under the name of Harmony for the Piano. This methodology originated from the eighteenth-century system of teaching composition through partimenti, typical of the Naples school: conservatory students were trained to be able to realise immediately, on the keyboard, the development of any given theme, using the skills in harmony and counterpoint acquired (Sanguinetti 2022).
The study and application of these harmonic-contrapuntal patterns can prove to be very useful, even today, in extending the skills of piano students on different levels. By developing the capacity to identify these patterns,
- on the level of performance, the student acquires the ability to assimilate and memorise pieces more rapidly
- on the level of interpretation, it enables them to understand the historical genealogy of the language of classical and romantic music, and thus to decode all the structures deriving from the Galante Style. (R. Gierdingen 2007)
- on the level of composition, it allows them to learn the basic vocabulary of harmony in order to create short forms of studies and preludes.
The workshop will be held at the Academy and consists of group lessons of 3 hours for a total of 5 sessions from November to May (the first lesson is scheduled for November 19), which will explore the themes listed in the study plan.
Applications are open to candidates up to 30 years of age, who must be enrolled in at least a first level degree course at a Conservatory. The commission reserves the right to accept any student who shows exceptional talent, even though they do not meet the above-mentioned requirements.
On Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 1.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. in the Academy concert hall, M° Génot will hold a public presentation of the course (Admission is free | Booking for the presentation by 31/10: specializzazione@accademiadimusica.it).
Applications for enrolment in the workshop must be received by our office no later than November 10, 2025, using the form below.
Enrolment fee*:
€ 50
Tuition fees*:
€ 250
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*PAYMENTS
The enrolment fee must be paid annually. It is non-refundable. The receipt proving that payment has been effected must be attached to your application to enrol.
The tuition fee is to be paid only after the student has been admitted, according to the instructions that will be sent by the school office.
Payment of enrolment and tuition fees must be made by bank transfer using the following bank details:
BANK: Intesa San Paolo
ACCOUNT HOLDER: Fondazione Accademia di Musica ETS
IBAN: IT71X0306909606100000101696
SWIFT/BIC: BCITITMM
ADDRESS: Piazza Paolo Ferrari, 10 – 10121 Milano
