Historical Violin

Exam in the central artistic subject (approx. 20 minutes):

• Performance of an artistic programme with at least two pieces of different styles and characters on the historic instrument. (For Historic Violoncello, performance of a mandatory piece, see below for info)
• Sight-reading
• Listening to and understanding (comprehension) of simple melody and chord sequences by singing in response / playing in response; completion of a melody on the relevant instrument
• Performance of simple cadenzas on the harpsichord
• Suitability interview based on the letter of motivation

Suggested literature for the entrance examination for Bachelor’s degrees at the level of difficulty of:

• D. Castello: from “Sonate Concertate Libro secondo" Sonata Prima, Sonata Seconda
• G. Frescobaldi:  Canzoni per Canto Solo
• G. B. Fontana: 6 Sonate per il Violino
• A. Corelli: Sonate a violino Opera Quarta Parte secondo
• A. Vivaldi: Sonatas, op. 2
• G. F. Handel: Six sonatas for violin and basso continuo
• G. P. Telemann: Sonate Metodiche
• G. P. Telemann: 12 fantasias for violin solo
• E. J. de la Guerre: Sonata in D
• J.-J. Cassanea de Mondonville: Piece de Clavecin avec Voix ou Violon op. 5
• J. F. Rebel: Piéce pour le violon

The entrance examination is used to check the candidate’s aptitude for the specific requirements of the Master’s degree, with particular consideration of their prior knowledge and skills in the practical field. The condition for admission onto the Master’s degree is a completed Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification from an Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational facility, as well as successfully passing all parts of the entrance examination.

Fulfilment of the admission requirements in terms of quality are based on the requirements of graduating with a BA in the Early Music degree at the MUK. Admission with a degree qualification that is not relevant to the subject may be linked with the condition that academic achievements from the Bachelor’s degree have to be completed in addition to the Master’s curriculum (see §10 of the Study and Examination Regulation of the articles of association).
 

Entrance exam:
1) Performance from a representative technically demanding programme, from which the committee will select pieces lasting no more than 25 minutes
- At least 3 different styles
- At least 2 instruments
- 1 solo piece without accompaniment; for historical oboe instruments, violin and historical bassoon instruments: Prelude or cadenza in classic solo concerto or classic étude
- Uninterrupted continuo (only for lute and harpsichord)

2) Prima-vista play

3) Embellishment of a musical section (is provided 60 minutes before the exam)

4) Analysis of a piece from the exam programme, taking into consideration the aspect of historical performance practice.

Then subsequent viva based on the letter of motivation and the entrance examination.

Examination in the central artistic subject (approx. 15 minutes):

• Performance of an artistic programme with at least two pieces of different styles and characters of the  candidate’s choice.
• Interview
• Examination of German proficiency for applicants who are non-native German speakers