Scheduled just before la rentrée for the 2025-26 school year, this institute takes place at Wienerissimo, a wonderful 17th century mansion in Ahun, a medieval town in central France easily accessible by rail or car. Participants will gather for Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lessons, Awareness Through Piano Movement (ATPM) lessons, individual technique & repertoire lessons, and to relax playing 4-, 6-, and even 8-hands music selected from our hostess Elisa Weiner's extensive library in the evenings. There will be lively discussion of all aspects of the institute, and indeed of piano playing in general at Elisa's table, famed for her haute cuisine. All meals are taken en groupe.
You will love life at Wienerissimo , an elegant musician's retreat situated in a medieval town filled with ancient churches, with numerous practice pianos to be found throughout the house. Ahun - The Dining Room
Are you hesitant to attend? Feel you are not advanced enough? Not well-enough prepared? Don't worry; Alan welcomes you no matter what your ability, no matter what the state of your program. The Institute really is open to all interested pianists:
There is no limit to improvement!
Alan Fraser teaches in French or English as you prefer.
This schedule may be modified according to the needs of the group.
The seminar-ATPM format is new. Alan will begin by lecturing on a topic, then field some questions about the material, and then create an Awareness Through Piano Movement lesson that grows out of that lecture's focus.
Lessons are 45 minutes with a few minutes at the end for Q & A, and a short break. You are free to observe the lessons for the entire day, or take a break to do a little bit of practicing or just rest. All sessions are videotaped and offered free of charge to participants for future reference.
In addition to Institute participants, the concert is generally attended by a small group of the local villagers, music lovers who are more wont to enjoy than criticize. It's not so much a concert performance as a chance to try out the new techniques you've been investigating all week, a chance to spread your wings for the first time among friends.
BY CAR
BY TRAIN
The train from Paris Austerlitz to La Souterraine takes under 3 hours; from there take a bus directly to Ahun, unless we can arrange to pick you up by car.
From the Ahun bus stop it is just a few minutes' walk to:
All participants live in residence at Wienerissimo, with full board. Elisa has generously offered us all the student rate, making the cost very reasonable. For overflow participants, there is a cottage at our disposal, as well as several bed & breakfasts nearby.
Wienerissimo offers three levels of lodging quality:
Please contact Christophe Rind to reserve your room and discuss your lodging needs.
Lodging and meal fees are paid directly to Wienerissimo on site; they are separate from and in addition to the Institute registration fee.
MEALS
Elisa's establishment offers us all meals:
COMBINE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE DAYS
To combine active and passive registrations, hit the back button on your browser to add another purchase item during the same payment procedure. For instance, if you want to attend for five days but only have three individual lessons, purchase three Active Participant days and two Passive Participant days for a total of five.
Click on your preferred option below to pay by credit card at our retail partner, Stripe.com.
After registering, please return here to fill out the REGISTRATION QUESTIONNAIRE.
ALAN FRASER
Canadian pianist Alan Fraser gives master classes and recitals worldwide and conducts ongoing research and refinement on the ideas put forth in his books on piano technique:
If you have concerns or questions about your participation in the institute and would like to address them directly to Alan Fraser, send him an email.
ELISA WIENER
Elisa Wiener is an excellent classical pianist who had a long and influential career in France as a teacher and Conservatoire director. She has known many of France's most eminent pianists, singers, instrumental musicians, actors, poets and painters, and is a treasure trove of stories about, and insights into, France's unique culture of a certain epoch. We often spend evenings playing piano four hands, six hands or even eight hands with Elisa, digging into her vast collection of pianistic memorabilia.
Visit the medieval lanes and byways of AHUN, a 13th century village with its special charm and churches dating from the 13th-16th centuries. This village feels as if it has been untouched by time, and Elisa with her insights into 20th century pianism combined with a wonderful elan in the kitchen, offers unbeatable hospitality.
Cancellation Policy
If you must cancel your registration, reimbursement will be as follows: Cancellations more than two months before Institute opening date: 100% reimbursement. Cancellations more than one month before Institute opening date: 75% reimbursement. Cancellations more than two weeks before Institute opening date: 50% reimbursement. Cancellations more than one week before Institute opening date: 25% reimbursement. Cancellations less than one week before Institute opening date: no reimbursement except in cases of doctor-certified illness or acts of God. We reserve the right to cancel the institute due to insufficient enrolment; in this event, all registration fees are fully refundable.
Find an Institute near you.
Photo albums from past Institutes.
Become a Craft of Piano certified piano teacher.
Extensive data base of Alan Fraser teaching videos
