Our first masterclass of 2024 was a great success. It was led by concert pianist and chamber musician William Howard, who proved he was not just a superb pianist but also an inspiring, engaging, and insightful teacher. As one participant put it afterwards:
“I can honestly say that I learnt something in every session and have an extensive list of things to reflect upon, try and place in my practice and generally take on board.”
The workshop was held on Tuesday 11 June at the home of Simon and Jill Scott, where we benefited from being able to play their superb Bösendorfer 225 grand piano.
As usual at Club meetings, participants offered a varied programme, with works by composers ranging from Bach to Messiaen:
Simon – Berg: Piano Sonata Op.1
Nancy – Haydn: Sonata No.60 in C major Hob: XVI: 50; Chopin: Mazurka No. 36 in A minor Op.59 No.1
Fran – Chopin: Nouvelle Étude No 2 in A flat KK 2 b/3 No 2
Steven – Bach: Toccata in E minor BWV 914
Mark – Messiaen: Vingt regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus XI: La première communion de la Vierge
Michelle – Bach: Sarabande from the E minor Partita
Anne – Clara Schumann: Pièces Fugitives Op.15 No.1
Matthew – Chopin: Prelude in A flat, Op.28 No.17; Prelude in F sharp Op.28 No.13
About William Howard
William Howard (see https://www.williamhoward.co.uk/biography) has a wide range of musical interests and repertoire, and in particular is passionate about 19th century piano repertoire, especially Schubert, Chopin, Schumann and Fauré. He also has a strong interest in Czech piano music and has been particularly acclaimed for his performance of Janáček. He has recorded over 40 CDs as a soloist or chamber musician.
Willilam Howard will be running a course “Creative Practising – How to Keep Your Piano Practice Fresh” on 25–27 October at Jackdaws – see https://www.jackdaws.org.uk/events/3645/
Bath-based international concert pianist Nurry Lee wowed the audience at her sell-out show in Keynsham who duly rewarded her with a standing ovation.
The 28-year-old South Korean-British pianist, who spent her early years in Bristol and Bath, flew in from Prague for the concert at The Space on Saturday which was hosted by Keynsham Concerts, the voluntary, not-for-profit group who bring sell-out, high-quality classical music concerts to the town, including the acclaimed Stringfever concert in March.
Nurry is regarded as one of the most dynamic pianists of her generation. She began studying the piano aged six with her mother, and three years later won her first concerto competition.
She studied at Wells Cathedral School and completed her undergraduate and Masters degrees at the Royal College of Music. She was accepted at the prestigious Korea National University of Arts in Seoul and completed her Artistic Diploma at the Royal Northern College of Music.
Nurry, who spends her time between Bath and London, has toured internationally and last year gave a sell-out performance at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Mickleburgh Musical Instruments sponsored Nurry’s Keynsham recital, at which she showed her incredible range, beginning with three technically challenging etudes by Chopin and then enchanting the audience with her renditions of works including Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Ravel and Liszt and Chopin’s 10-minute Ballade No 1 in G Minor (the soundtrack from the film The Pianist).
If you missed Nurry in Keynsham, you can catch her this coming Saturday (1st June) when she will be playing two concerts at Burdall’s Yard in Bath. The first, Childhood Memories, draws on contemporary music including covers of Disney.
The second performance of the night will include great classical works, including some of the most virtuosic pieces in the piano repertoire.
Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin Mahler Rückert-Lieder Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 in B minor (Pathétique)
The Clifton International Festival of Music 2024 is brought to a close with singing sensation Helen Charlston and the Bristol Symphony Orchestra.
BBC Music Magazine’s Vocal award winner 2023 delights in Mahler’s profoundly moving Rückert-Lieder, a collection of five songs based on poems by Friedrich Rückert, which delve into themes of love, loss, and existential reflection with profound intensity.
The dynamism of Bristol Symphony Orchestra will be on full display as they present Tchaikovsky’s deeply personal Symphony no. 6 in B minor, known as the ‘Pathétique’, known for its passionate melodies and harmonic intensity, reflecting the deeply personal struggles of the composer.
The programme also features Maurice Ravel’s “Le Tombeau de Couperin”, a heartfelt tribute to François Couperin and fallen friends of World War I. The work blends Baroque influences with Ravel’s unique harmonic palette to create a work of profound beauty.
Following the success of last year’s visit to Bristol by Dr Alton Chung Ming Chan, Bristol Piano Club is delighted to welcome Alton back this August.
Alton will be running the following during his stay:
1. A course at Jackdaws in Frome on Fri 23rd/Sat 24th and Sun 25th August.- Details below. (Places bookable directly with Jackdaws).
2. Masterclasses at Henleaze United Reform Church on Monday 26th August, with places for players costing £45 and for observers costing £15. (To include costs for hall hire and insurance) The day will run from 11- 16.00 hrs. We will break for lunch and have our usual lovely ‘pot luck’ bring and share food and drink.
At the end of the day Alton will be giving us an informal recital.
Booking is open now via Leonora and payment is required advance by Monday 12th August please.
3. Private lessons in Keynsham (at Leonora’s house) on Tuesday 27th August. The lessons will last 30 mins and cost £30 each. Booking is open now via Leonora and payment is required in advance by Tuesday 13th August please.
Please contact Leonora on 07973802739 or leonora.bristolpiano@yahoo.com to book for the masterclasses and private lessons, or for any queries.
My latest recording has just been released on Blue Cloud, a new Orchid Classics label. If you’d like to listen to it you can find all the streaming links here. The new album consists of sixteen very beautiful romantic nocturnes by different composers together with a postlude (Lantern) written specially for the album by Howard Skempton. I hope this selection will have the same appeal as my two albums of piano Love Songs, which have now clocked up over 15 million streams between them. Please pass on the details to anyone you think might like this. Many thanks, William
William Howard – 16 Nocturnes and a LanternListen to 16 Nocturnes and a Lantern by William Howard.
‘Very, very skilfully and intelligently programmed’ Katy Hamilton, BBC Record Review Saturday 18th May
‘Katy Hamilton loves the way William Howard leads us through this recital. It’s beautifully designed…’ Andrew McGregor, BBC Record Review Saturday 18th May
Bristol Piano Club 