French Connection Academy & Festival
July 4-8
Odense - Denmark
July 4th
Masterclasses Impro & Violin
Impro & Violin Masterclass w. Jean-Baptiste Doulcet, Anna Agafia Egholm & Niklas Walentin
Experience an exclusive public masterclass in one of Denmark’s most elegant historic halls, where three prominent soloists guide selected young talents in violin and improvisation. The masterclass is taught by Anna Agafia Egholm, winner of the Nielsen and Tibor Varga competitions, awarded the Clef d’Or with her debut album, and known for her rich color palette and soloist roles with, among others, the Munich Symphony. Niklas Walentin, a three-time winner of the Carl Nielsen Competition, member of Trio Vitruvi (Carnegie Hall, Mariinsky), and known for his charismatic tone and international reach. Jean-Baptiste Doulcet, co-founder of FCA and prize winner of the Long-Thibaud competition (4th place) as well as the Clara Haskil Prize. He is known for his extensive experience with improvisation for concerts and silent films.
Date: July 4, 14:00–17:00 Location: Festsalen, Odense City Hall
House Concert
Insight into the artistic process
This is not a conventional concert, but a unique insight into the learning process for future soloists. The audience is given the opportunity to witness how talents work on excerpts of sonatas and concertos that will later be performed at competitions and concerts in other countries. The focus of this concert lies on the work: technical polishing, artistic interpretation, and direct communication with the audience in a supportive yet professional atmosphere. The evening is dedicated to experiencing how artistic voices develop as talents work on the repertoire and refine their expression in preparation for major concert halls.
Date: July 4, 18:00–19:00 Location: Festsalen, Odense City Hall
Lecture
Fantastic Andersen
A lecture about H.C. Andersen and his international presence, and how his travels to France and contact with musicians and composers helped shape his works and the relationship between Danish and French culture. The lecture is presented by Catherine Lefebvre, cultural attaché at the Royal Danish Embassy in Paris and director of La Fondation Danoise. With a background as former director of the Karen Blixen Museum and experienced curator where she has contributed to big exhibitions such as Venice Biennale and Documenta, she brings a unique perspective on Andersen’s role as a cultural ambassador and his dialogue with the French art world.
Date: July 4, 20:30–21:30 Location: Festsalen, Odense Town Hall
July 5th
Masterclass Viola, Violin & Piano
Viola, Violin & Piano Masterclass w. Françoise Gneri, Katrine Gislinge & Augustin Dumay
Experience an exclusive public masterclass in one of Denmark’s most elegant historic halls, where three prominent soloists guide selected young talents through chamber music repertoire with a focus on viola, violin, and piano. The masterclass is taught by Françoise Gneri, soloist at the Opéra de Paris, founder of Collectif Fractales, and known for her versatile work as a chamber musician. Katrine Gislinge, one of Denmark’s most acclaimed pianists, known for her poetic interpretations of Mozart and collaborations with names such as Gidon Kremer and Gustavo Dudamel. Augustin Dumay, one of the most significant violinists of our time, active conductor, music director of the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie and professor at The Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel.
Date: July 5, 14:00–17:00 Location: Festsalen, Odense City Hall
House Concert
Insight into the artistic process
This is not a conventional concert, but a unique insight into the learning process for future soloists. The audience is given the opportunity to witness how talents work on excerpts of sonatas and concertos that will later be performed at competitions and concerts in other countries. The focus of this concert lies on the work: technical polishing, artistic interpretation, and direct communication with the audience in a supportive yet professional atmosphere. The evening is dedicated to experiencing how artistic voices develop as talents work on the repertoire and refine their expression in preparation for major concert halls.
Date: July 5, 18:00–19:00 Location: Festsalen, Odense City Hall
July 6th
Masterclasses Piano & Cello
Piano & Cello Masterclass w. Alexandre Kantorow & Bjørg Lewis
Experience an exclusive public masterclass in one of Denmark’s most elegant historic halls, where two of the most acclaimed soloists of our time work with selected young talents on piano and cello. The masterclass is taught by Alexandre Kantorow, the first French person ever to win both the gold medal and the Grand Prix at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 2019. He is the recipient of the Gilmore Artist Award and was appointed Chevalier of the French National Order of Merit, with a career spanning from Carnegie Hall to the Paris Olympics. Bjørg Lewis, co-founder of the award-winning Vertavo String Quartet. She is known for her long career as a soloist and chamber musician and has performed in the world’s leading concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and Musikverein. We are proud to host Alexandre Kantorow’s teaching debut in Odense.
Date: July 6, 14:00–17:00 Location: Festsalen, Odense Town Hall
House Concert
Insight into the artistic process
This is not a conventional concert, but a unique insight into the learning process for future soloists. The audience is given the opportunity to witness how talents work on excerpts of sonatas and concertos that will later be performed at competitions and concerts in other countries. The focus of this concert lies on the work: technical polishing, artistic interpretation, and direct communication with the audience in a supportive yet professional atmosphere. The evening is dedicated to experiencing how artistic voices develop as talents work on the repertoire and refine their expression in preparation for major concert halls.
Date: July 6, 18:00–19:00 Location: Festsalen, Odense City Hall
July 7th
Prize Concert Vol. 1
Concert & Prize Ceremony
The first concluding concert for the French Connection Academy takes place in Odense City Hall. The program presents 42 students from around the world performing a wide spectrum of chamber music and solo works, inspired by the richness of the world. The repertoire is chosen to show the width of the students’ technical talent and ability to interpret. The academy’s students have received guidance from international professors, including Alexandre Kantorow, Katrine Gislinge, Augustin Dumay, Anna Agafia Egholm, Niklas Walentin, Bjørg Lewis, Françoise Gneri, and Jean-Baptiste Doulcet. The concert ends with an awards ceremony where selected talents will receive invitations for festivals, professional equipment and much more. After the concert, the audience is invited to a reception where refreshments will be served and there is an opportunity for exchange between musicians and the public.
Date: July 7, 15:00–17:00 Location: Festsalen, Odense City Hall
Prize Concert Vol. 2
Concert & Prize Ceremony
The second concluding concert for the French Connection Academy takes place in Odense City Hall. The program presents 42 students from around the world performing a wide spectrum of chamber music and solo works, inspired by the richness of the world. The repertoire is chosen to show the width of the students’ technical talent and ability to interpret. The academy’s students have received guidance from international professors, including Alexandre Kantorow, Katrine Gislinge, Augustin Dumay, Anna Agafia Egholm, Niklas Walentin, Bjørg Lewis, Françoise Gneri, and Jean-Baptiste Doulcet. The concert ends with an awards ceremony where selected talents will receive invitations for festivals, professional equipment and much more. Before the concert begins, the audience is invited to a reception where refreshments will be served and there is an opportunity for exchange between musicians and the public.
Date: July 7, 17:00–20:00 Location: Festsalen, Odense City Hall
Festival Day
Fantastic Andersen • JULY 8TH
Andersen's Fairy Tales
Tales, improvisations & Paper Cutting
In connection with French Connection Academy’s 2026 theme, Fantastic Andersen, a special morning is arranged for local children in Odense City Hall. The purpose is to explore H.C. Andersen’s universe in a way that connects fair tales with music and visual art. The activity is based on Andersen’s own art form: paper cutting. Children will have the opportunity to create their own paper cuts while simultaneously experiencing live readings of the fairytales. Music plays a central role in the experience. During the reading, piano improvisations will be played, creating a soundscape that brings the stories to life. Family members are more than welcome to participate.
Date: July 8, 10:00–11:30 Location:Festsalen, Odense City Hall
Creative Concert at Café ODEON
Concert & Drawing
A creative concert for families, inviting everyone to be a co-creator of art. Three young talented pianists who are part of the academy will play live music. During the concerts, children and adults have the opportunity to let themselves be inspired by the melodies and draw with paper and pencil in a relaxed café atmosphere. There is space to enjoy relaxed family time while simultaneously creating your own artworks to the sound of beautiful classical music from the heart.
Date: July 8, 13:30–15:00 Location: Café ODEON
3 Young Pianists
Concert with romantic repertoire
Experience a captivating afternoon with music from the heart. In celebration of the French Connection Academy & Festival 2026, Alliance Française in collaboration with Valgmenigheden invites you to a special concert in collaboration with FCA. Three young, exceptionally talented pianists specially selected for this occasion will perform a selection of romantic piano repertoire. The concert offers an intimate and present experience within the beautiful surroundings of Valgmenigheden in Odense. The music is curated to reflect the fairytales and poems of H.C. Andersen. After the concert it is possible to ask the artists questions and hear the french language.
Date: July 8, 14:30–16:00 Location: Valgmenigheden
Grand finale concert
Fantastic Andersen
The festival concludes with a concert conducted by Hannah Howard Andresen and hosted by no other than Soeren Le Schmidt.
The program is a musical interpretation of H.C. Andersen’s life and works. The orchestra consists of strings from French Connection Academy as well as acclaimed musicians such as Alexandre Kantorow, Augustin Dumay, Anna Agafia Egholm, Niklas Walentin, Emilie Callesen Doulcet, Françoise Gneri, Bjørg Lewis, and Jean-Baptiste Doulcet. World star Alexandre Kantorow won the Tchaikovsky Competition in 2019 and received the Gilmore Artist Award in 2023. He has previously performed at major events such as the Paris Olympics and at top venues like Carnegie Hall.
Together, the string orchestra performs works associated with Andersen’s fairytales and his poems, set to music composed by, among others, Weyse and Grieg, arranged specifically for string ensemble, and a new composition inspired by the fairy tale The Nightingale, composed by Jean-Baptiste Doulcet. The professors will perform classics such as C. Franck’s Sonata for violin and piano and the Piano Quintet in F minor by Brahms.
The concert is recorded and broadcast live on DR P2. It is subsequently transmitted on France Musique.
Date: July 8, 19:00–20:15 Location: Odense Town Hall, Festsalen
Find your tickets
FREE ENTRY TO MOSTfca-EVENTS for children u. 18 Years old & music students
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Every membership acquired up to and during the academy is directly financing the execution of FCA 2026.
* The 9 events includes everything except the festival day.
Practical Information
LOCATIONS
All locations are handicap friendly