MASTER’S DEGREE IN MUSICOLOGY AND PERFORMING ARTS LM-45 – VIOLIN

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Objectives: At the end of the second year of the Master’s Degree specialisation in Violin, students are expected to have achieved professional-level technical and artistic mastery, with particular emphasis on the in-depth study of the solo repertoire, expressive phrasing, and sound control, including a rich tone, precise vibrato, and expressive bow technique.

Particular attention is devoted to historical and contemporary repertoire, the refinement of orchestral excerpts, and advanced performance practices. The programme promotes the development of independent interpretative skills, critical analysis of musical texts, and awareness of historical and stylistic contexts.

Great importance is given to technical and emotional control in public performance, the development of a personal expressive language, and the acquisition of advanced historical, aesthetic, and analytical knowledge at Master’s level.

Special focus is placed on the development of a mature artistic profile, the ability to approach repertoire with originality of interpretation, stage presence, and reciprocal listening within orchestral performance, enhancing expressive communication and emotional impact.

Career Opportunities:

1. Professional Solo Concert Performer: The programme prepares violinists for careers as prominent solo performers in national and international concert settings, developing the technical and interpretative skills required to perform in prestigious concert series, music festivals, and major artistic events. Students develop a personal and mature artistic language, create concert programmes of high cultural value, and manage performances according to international professional standards.
2. Performer in High-Level Chamber Music Ensembles: Chamber music represents one of the highest levels of specialisation for a Master’s-level violinist. The programme provides students with the skills required to collaborate within prestigious chamber ensembles, developing advanced collaborative abilities, interpretative flexibility, and a high level of ensemble sensitivity.
3. Member of Chamber and Symphony Orchestras: Students acquire the specific skills necessary to perform in leading orchestras at both national and international levels, with particular attention to sight-reading, musical leadership, and integration within the collective orchestral sound.
4. Orchestral Performer in Musical Theatre Ensembles: The programme provides advanced preparation for professional activity in pit orchestras of prestigious opera houses and ballet companies, enabling students to approach specialised repertoire with stylistic flexibility and professional competence.
5. Music Teacher and Educator: The Master’s Degree programme prepares violinists for teaching activities in conservatoires, academies, and music institutions, transmitting the technical and artistic skills acquired at an advanced level.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

• Advanced instrumental mastery: in-depth and conscious knowledge of violin performance techniques, with interpretative autonomy and the ability to creatively solve technical challenges;
• Specialist knowledge of repertoire: systematic study of the solo repertoire from the Baroque period to contemporary music, with awareness of historical and stylistic performance practices;
• Independent interpretative skills: development of a distinctive artistic personality, with the ability to critically analyse musical texts and formulate conscious interpretative choices;
• Advanced chamber music and orchestral skills: ability to interact with authority within different musical ensembles, developing musical leadership and collaborative sensitivity;
• Perceptive and analytical development: enhancement of critical listening, memorisation, and structural analysis skills applied to repertoire study;
• Master’s-level theoretical and analytical competencies: acquisition of advanced knowledge of organisational, compositional, and analytical models in music and their relationship with historical performance practice;
• Professional technical and emotional control: mastery of specific techniques for managing posture, emotional response, and public performance at an advanced level;
• Advanced historical and aesthetic awareness: in-depth knowledge of the stylistic, historical, and aesthetic aspects of music, both from a general perspective and with specific reference to violin performance;
• Artistic research and project development skills: development of autonomy in repertoire research, concert programme planning, and the creation of original artistic pathways.

This course description is subject to updates by the professor responsible for the course.

YEAR I	ECTS	Teaching Hours	Study Hours	SSD	TAF	Attendance	Delivery Method	Mandatory
Italian Literature	12	72	228	L-FIL-LET/10	Characterising	Compulsory	Synchronous	Yes
History of Music I	12	72	228	L-ART/07	Characterising	Compulsory	Synchronous	Yes
Solo Violin Performance Practice I / Performing Arts Disciplines	12	24	276	L-ART/05	Characterising	Compulsory attendance in person	Individual lessons	Yes
Violin Repertoire Practice with Orchestra I / Performing Arts Disciplines	12	18	282	L-ART/05	Music and Performing Arts	Compulsory attendance in person	Group lessons	Yes
Ensemble Music Performance Practice / Performing Arts Disciplines	6	9	141	L-ART/05	Music and Performing Arts	Compulsory attendance in person	Group lessons	Yes
History and Elements of Musical Instrumentation and Orchestration	6	36	114	L-ART/07	Music and Performing Arts	Compulsory	Synchronous	Yes
TOTAL	60

 

YEAR II	ECTS	Teaching Hours	Study Hours	Academic Discipline (SSD)	Type of Activity (TAF)	Attendance	Delivery Method	Mandatory
German Literature	12	72	228	L-LIN/13	Characterising	Compulsory	Synchronous	Yes
History of Music II	12	72	228	L-ART/07	Characterising	Compulsory	Synchronous	Yes
Solo Violin Performance Practice II / Performing Arts Disciplines	12	24	276	L-ART/05	Characterising	Compulsory attendance in person	Individual lessons	Yes
Violin Repertoire Practice with Orchestra II / Performing Arts Disciplines	12	18	282	L-ART/05	Music and Performing Arts	Compulsory attendance in person	Group lessons	Yes
Final Examination	12		300					Yes
TOTAL	60

MAIN INSTRUMENT COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• Prerequisites: Admission to the Master’s Degree in Musicology and Performing Arts (LM-45) through an audition examination is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance and Performing Arts (L-3) or equivalent qualification.
• Demonstrated advanced technical and artistic skills.

TEACHING METHODS AND ASSESSMENT

Teaching Methods: Individual one-to-one lessons.

Assessment Methods:

1. Intermediate Examination (MAIN INSTRUMENT PERFORMANCE PRACTICE 1) at the end of the first year.

Main requirements: Performance of three pieces, to be agreed upon with the Professor, with a total duration of approximately 35–40 minutes, including:

• A short virtuosic piece;
• The first movement of a sonata or concerto from the Classical period onwards;
• A piece for solo instrument (J. S. Bach).

2. Master’s Degree Final Examination (MAIN INSTRUMENT                               PERFORMANCE PRACTICE 2) at the end of the second year.

Programme: A recital programme lasting approximately one hour, with compositions selected by the candidate in agreement with the Professor, representing at least three of the following repertoire areas*:

a) Baroque
b) Classical period
c) Romantic period
d) Historical twentieth-century repertoire
e) Modern repertoire (compositions after 1945) or Contemporary repertoire

The examination programme must include:

• The first movement of a concerto;
• A virtuosic piece.

Notes: Reductions for violin and piano of virtuosic pieces and concert works are permitted.

Critical Presentation: A brief presentation (in written form or oral dissertation) of the performed programme, including analytical, historical, and musicological considerations, as well as the aesthetic and motivational reasons underlying the choice of repertoire.

The presentation must be agreed upon, approved, and supervised by one of the Professors responsible for theoretical subjects.

* The concert is included among the three compositions representing the selected historical periods and, depending on the work and with prior authorisation from the Professor and the Director, it may also be considered as the virtuosic piece.

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