Ricardo Castro – Piano and Conducting from the Keyboard (2025–2026)
Postgraduate Piano Course for Young Pianists
Teacher: Ricardo Castro – 5 sessions
The postgraduate course in piano and conducting from the keyboard is a high-level training program at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, open to young pianists who wish to enhance their overall musical preparation, with a specific focus on conducting techniques and rehearsal strategies in chamber ensembles or orchestras, under the guidance of prominent figures in the concert world.
Numerous performance opportunities allow students to test their preparation during public concerts, whose participation is considered an integral part of the training process.
An annual internal competition (April–May) awards scholarships to the most deserving students.
The course is open to musicians holding a pre-reform (Vecchio Ordinamento) diploma or a first-level AFAM diploma, but exceptionally talented young students who have not yet obtained these qualifications may also be admitted. The postgraduate course in piano and conducting from the keyboard is a high-level program that opens the door to excellent career opportunities in the music field.
The outstanding educational quality of the advanced piano and conducting course leads to excellent professional opportunities in the music field for talented and passionate young musicians, helping them to launch high-level professional careers.
The postgraduate piano course program includes the traditional piano repertoire as well as elements related to reading and preparing an orchestral score. Pianists will work together on the approach to modern conducting techniques and rehearsal strategies for chamber groups and both chamber and symphony orchestras. No prior experience in conducting is required.
Students will have the opportunity to interact as soloist-conductors with the Scuola’s Galilei Orchestra during two periods of the course.
The lessons are divided into five collective sessions, each lasting two days, with mandatory attendance for the entire session.
Throughout the year, recitals by the best students will be organized, at the sole discretion of the teacher.
The course will be activated if a minimum number of students is reached.
The course is open to musicians holding a pre-reform (Vecchio Ordinamento) diploma or a first-level AFAM diploma, but exceptionally talented students who do not yet hold these qualifications may also be admitted.
Auditors are accepted.
To be admitted to the postgraduate course for young pianists, candidates must present:
- 1 piece by Johann Sebastian Bach;
- 1 Etude by Chopin or Liszt;
- 1 piano concerto by Bach, Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven (first movement).
young pianists
30th November 2025
A video recording of the entire program is required. The video must be uploaded as unlisted on YouTube by 30th November. The link should be sent to the following email address: v.trambusti@scuolamusica.fiesole.fi.it and cc'd to rc@ricardocastro.com
The course consists of 5 group sessions, including 3 sessions of 2 days each and 2 sessions with orchestra, according to a calendar established by the teacher. Students are required to attend all days of each session.
January 2026: 17, 18
February 2026: 15, 16
March 2026: 28, 29
May 2026: 14, 15, 16, 17 (with orchestra)
July 2026: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (with orchestra and concerts)
Individual annual registration fee (non-refundable, to be paid at the time of application and also valid for auditors): € 130.
Individual annual attendance fee, payable either in a single payment within 31th January or in monthly installments via direct debit/credit card with a 5% surcharge: € 1600.