In 2025-2026, the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles is offering a new series of themed days entitled ‘Focus on’, mainly aimed at conservatoire teachers, but also open to any artist interested in the topics covered. These training days provide an opportunity to deepen one's knowledge of a specific subject, with a view to integrating it into one's professional and teaching practice, and then to take advantage of the link established with the CMBV on this occasion to continue to explore the subject in greater depth.
This workshop offers an immersion into the world of tuning systems and temperaments used in France between 1650 and 1800. It is aimed at musicians (harpsichordists, organists, fortepianists), researchers and teachers who wish to gain a better understanding of historical tuning systems and their musical impact. Through an approach combining music theory, organology, acoustics and instrumental practice, participants will explore the main systems in use (mezzotone temperaments, French temperaments, ‘softened’ temperaments, etc.), as well as reference texts (Denis, D'Alembert, Rousseau, Rameau, etc.). The workshop will alternate between theoretical input, demonstrations on tuned instruments, auditory comparisons and practical sessions. It will highlight the aesthetic, expressive and stylistic issues involved in the choice of temperament in the interpretation of French Baroque music. Keyboard players will benefit from a specific session devoted to tuning practice.
Objectives
- Understanding the fundamentals of historical tuning systems
- Identifying the most commonly used temperaments in France in the 17th and 18th centuries and evaluating their sound in the repertoire
- Practising tuning on historical keyboards
Trainer
Jérôme Bertier, pianist, harpsichordist, improviser and tuning teacher (Versailles Grand Parc Conservatoire)
A performer and improviser, he plays the piano, harpsichord and organ. With Orkester Nord, conducted by Martin Wahlberg, he has participated in numerous productions and recordings (Mozart, La Flûte Enchantée; Grétry, Céphale et Procris; Philidor, Ernelinde; Orlandini, Arsace; Monteverdi, Les Vêpres de la Vierge), notably at the Oslo Opera House, the Palace of Versailles and the Trondheim Festival.
Passionate about theatrical collaborations, he composed and performed the music for Lisaboa Houbrechts' show Bruegel, which has been touring Europe since 2020, arranged and performed Massenet's arias for Callas, lettres et mémoires by Tom Volf (Théâtre du Châtelet), and finally created and conducted the vocal music for Médée at the Comédie-Française in 2023. Artist in residence at Bozar (Brussels), he founded the Baroque and Persian ensemble Argha/Nun with Mostafa Taleb (La Cité de la Voix 2023, Festival d'Avignon 2024, Oslo Sacred Music Festival 2025). A passionate chamber musician, he founded the Trio 1905, with which he performs at the Musée de la Musique and the Nouvelle Athènes, playing trios by Ravel, Brahms, Schumann and Mendelssohn. Since 2017, he has been premiering works by composer Brice Le Clair.
His recordings include Sufinameh with Argha/Nun (2023), Brahms' Trio Op. 8 (2022), Los Pajaros de Chile (Philharmonie de Paris, 2025) and Monteverdi's Les Vêpres (Medici.tv, 2025). Alongside his performing career, he teaches tuning at the CRR in Versailles and is developing TemperApp, an innovative digital tool for tuning early keyboards.
Training arrangements
- In-person workshop only
- Workshop conducted in French (discussions possible in English)
- Assessment methods: self-assessment and satisfaction questionnaires
- Alternating between theory, practical exercises and discussion time (questions and answers)
Programme
- Conferences
- Discussion time
- Practical application
- Documentation
Participants
- Harpsichordists
- Pianoforte players
- Organists
- Researchers and teachers welcome
Maximum 10 participants
Prerequisites
- Working professionals
- Future professionals currently in higher education (bachelor's, master's) or equivalent
- Knowledgeable amateurs welcome, subject to availability
Pricing conditions
Prices for a Theme Day (online payment via the payment link sent upon acceptance of the application):
Full fee covered: depending on coverage (contact the training centre administration for a quote)
Maximum individual contribution: €100 including VAT
Maximum individual contribution for students (up to 26 years old): €40 including VAT
CMBV workshops may be covered by continuing professional development programmes (Afdas, employers, etc.) for permanent or temporary employees.
Services included in the price:
- Access to CMBV premises (and tuning of instruments, if necessary)
- Full tuition fees (teachers, instruments, etc.) for the entire duration of the course
- Active participation in workshops
- Provision of documents and sheet music
- Loan or provision of instruments, if necessary
The following remain the responsibility of the trainees:
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation expenses (meals and lodging)
Registration
To register, please complete the form available via the link below. You will receive confirmation of your registration no later than two months before the start of the workshop.
Accessibility
The classrooms and teaching spaces are accessible to people with reduced mobility. For any disability requiring adaptation of the teaching, please specify this when registering: this information will be forwarded to the CMBV disability officer, who will contact you if necessary.
Registration deadline: 15 December 2025
