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The Genius of Marc-André Hamelin

Unearth piano gold with renowned virtuoso Marc-André Hamelin

Immerse yourself in the highest level of piano artistry and craftsmanship. Learn from a living legend’s practice routines, personal anecdotes, and insights on composition, performance, and the meaning of music.

Peer into the mind of a once-in-a-generation artist.

Marc-André Hamelin stands at the pinnacle of technical achievement at the piano. Technique being the infusion of mechanism and musical purpose, as Hamelin himself insists. Are there secrets to his craft? How does he resolve pianistic challenges in his mind? How has that translated to his magic at the keyboard?

Now you can find out. Exclusively on tonebase, Hamelin sheds light on his mastery in two compelling interviews and a detailed multi-part tutorial. Delve into his practice techniques and compositional thinking, approaches to repertoire both popular and obscure, and personal revelations about the music...and refuel the engine of your own musical ambitions.

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    Hear about Hamelin’s epiphanies, from inspired encounters with mentors earlier in his career, to musical moments that showed him what was possible and reshaped his artistry.
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    Learn the peculiar, yet brilliantly effective "symmetrical inversion" practice method, plus other unique exercises Hamelin adapted from historical pedagogy to build his monumental technique.
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    Absorb Hamelin’s influences, from Godowsky’s Chopin arrangements and C.P.E. Bach’s “audacity” to the legacy of pianist-composers from Liszt to Rachmaninoff, and gain inspiration for your own journey.
meet YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Marc-André Hamelin

Few pianists ever achieve the notoriety and rare musical insight earned by Marc-André Hamelin. His oeuvre spans universally-beloved masterworks to obscure gems, and he continues to propel piano art music into a bold future.

Hamelin was born in 1961 in Montreal, Canada. He began to study piano at the age of 5 under the influence of his father, who was a passionate amateur pianist. In his youth, he was exposed to the works of Alkan, Godowsky, and Sorabji. He would later study under renowned teachers like Yvonne Hubert, Harvey Weedon, and the late Russell Sherman.

Since winning first prize in the 1985 Carnegie Hall International American Music Competition at the age of 24, Hamelin has enjoyed a groundbreaking international career as a recitalist, orchestral soloist, chamber musician, and exclusive recording artist for Hyperion Records. He also has more than 30 compositions to his name, many of which push the human limits of piano virtuosity.

Hamelin’s dedication to reviving lesser-known works — in addition to his storied career and contributions to contemporary music — underscore his status as an Officer of the Order of Canada. He is the recipient of 7 Juno awards and 11 GRAMMY nominations, and has earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the German Record Critics’ Association.

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Principles of the Taubman Approach

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Chopin Étude Training

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Intermezzo, Op. 118 No. 2 (Brahms)

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Inside Mozart's Piano Sonatas

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Music Theory Basics

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Intro to J. S. Bach’s Keyboard Music

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Prelude in G Minor, Op. 23 No. 5 (Rachmaninoff)

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Clair de lune (Debussy)

with Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

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Music Theory at the Piano

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"Moonlight Sonata" (Beethoven)

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Fantaisie-Impromptu, Op. 66 (Chopin)

with Leann Osterkamp

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Sonata in C Major, K. 545 (Mozart)

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