The idea of the Keyboard Academy results from combining several of my passions: the passion of a pedagogue, the passion of a collector of early instruments and the passion of a concertizing musician. The idea is to utilize the abundant collection of different, often unconventional keyboard instruments that I own, and make it available to a broader group of interested parties.
The first realization of the Keyboard Academy idea was Marek Toporowski’s Warsaw Keyboard Workshop, organized twice in Warsaw (Music School Complex on ulica Bednarska) in 2018 and 2019. It is being continued by educational activities taking place under the auspices of the Silesian Center for the Protection of Keyboard Instruments – Fortepianarium.
These activities currently take the form of weekend courses, as well as the Marek Toporowski Summer Keyboard Academy. In the latter case, the point is to continue the workshops that previously took place in Warsaw – thus, the continuity of numeration.
Contemporary concert practice makes a strong division in the art of playing on the individual keyboard instruments. Today, the piano, harpsichord, organ and even clavichord are separate specializations. This is not in line with historical performance practice; today as well, many musicians are trying to cross these artificially-set lines.
So I invite you to take part in the educational endeavors that I organize.
... at the Slendziński Gallery in Bialystok. 4 different, sophisticated harpsichords; including a copy of an English 18th century hpsch (the only one in Poland!) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fee for the day - 50zł. (on site)
We invite you to participate in the 3rd Marek Toporowski Summer Keyboard Academy, which is a continuation of Marek Toporowski’s Warsaw Piano Workshop. We invite harpsichordists and pianists interested in the early keyboard repertoire, as well as organists. Pupils, students, all interested parties.
You can come with solo repertoire for harpsichord, clavichord, piano (works up to the early 19th century), as well as organ (classes for organ take place on the last day in Tarnowskie Góry; it is also possible to work on harmoniums and electronic organs). We also invite ensembles and participants interested in realization of basso continuo.