Author: psychicalwaysa53a93fa7b

Matthew and Leo organised a Club afternoon at Southmead Hospital on Saturday November 29th. We played on the Bluthner baby grand in the atrium from 1 to 5 pm and patients, visitors and staff were treated to a huge variety of music from Christmas themed duets to baroque and 20th century and much in between. And we had Sarah playing her cello and Chris brought his tuba, wow! A sizable and appreciative audience had built up by the time we finally had to pack up and leave. I am sure we will be back for more performances next year.

The Club Christmas party was held at Jan and Jonathan’s just over a week later and around twenty five of us enjoyed more Christmas music as well as a superb buffet. A huge thanks to Jan and Jonathan for their work in preparing and hosting – very much appreciated!!

Twenty of us gathered in the Henleaze Trinity URC for the Club AGM (to be reported on later) followed by the normal play and socialise meeting. We enjoyed the mellow sounds from the Yamaha C3 with a variety of piano music from the 19^th to the 21^th century. Plus some delicious home baking.

Bristol Piano Club November 2025
Performer	Composer	Piece
Matthew	Joby Talbot	Cloud Watching
Juliana	Beethoven	Sonata in D minor, op. 31, no. 17, 2nd mvt
Chris	Johnny Mercer & Henry Mancini	Moon River
RJ	Coldplay, Aikii, Ed Sheeran misc.	A Sky Full of Stars, Viva La Vida, Wake Me Up, Shape of You
Simon H	Charles Tebbs	Airships
Anne K	Grieg	Air from Holberg Suite
Steve B	Carrara	No Time to Die
Boyang	D J Okawari	Flower Dance
Jean	Bartok	No. 1 from Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm
Richard	Cui	Waltz in E minor, op. 32
Simon S	Ancliffe	Sorrento

One of our members heard James Lisney play the last three Beethoven piano sonatas at a piano summer school in France earlier this year and this recital comes highly recommended. Acclaimed British pianist James is playing op. 109, 110 and 111 at St Georges on Tuesday 18th November at 7:30 pm. Should be very special indeed!

BPC members had a lovely afternoon of piano music at Jan’s house as always. Several of us had been to the Nurry Lee masterclass the previous weekend so we were keen to share our thoughts and demonstrate our improvements!

Bristol Piano Club October 2025
Performer	Composer	Piece
Peter H	Scarlatti	Sonata in D major K 96
Richard	Brahms	Intermezzo op. 119 no. 1
Anne K	Boëly	Valse Romantique op. 13 no. 15
	Tchaikovsky	October from The Seasons
Simon H	Jules Massenet	Melodie no. 5 from op. 10
Jonathan	Astor Piazzolla	Extasis Tango
	Granados	Spanish Dance
Chris UW	Handel	Allemande from Suite in D minor
Jan	Bach	Gavotte I from English Suite III

Calling all Club pianists! Entries are now being accepted for the Bristol Festival of Music, Speech and Drama, 7 – 31 March 2026. There are lots of classes for adult pianists playing a wide variety of types of music – something for everyone. So, if you’ve been inspired by the recent Chopin Competition, now is your chance to get in the limelight. More details on the website.

Bristol Piano Club held a Masterclass day run by International Concert Pianist Nurry Lee at Leonora and Paul’s home in Keynsham on Sunday Oct 19th.  https://www.nurrylee.com

A very interesting selection of pieces were played that included an ensemble for piano and euphonium.

Nurry listened intently to all the pieces and gave valuable feedback, so everyone now has plenty of practise to do!

The whole day was most enjoyable, full of shared music, along with expert tuition and mutual support. Not to forget our  shared lunch and social time meeting with friends old and new. 

Playlist:

Natalie  G  Flat Impromptu by Schubert .

Leonora – Paul Lovatt- Cooper – With Hs First Breath – Piano accompaniment for Baritone piece. Leonora (piano) Chris UW (baritone) 

Richard W.-  Brahms –  Intermezzo Op 119.

Jean W. – Bach  – Chromatic Fantasie in D minor.

Fran – York Bowen – Prelude in E flat.

Simon H. Debussy   – Arabesque No 1.

Chris UW  Handel  – Allemande and Courante 2nd and 3rd Movts. from Suite in D minor ABRM grade 7.

Robin  – Chopin  – Polonaise ) Op 26 No 1.

  

Club members gave a two hour recital to residents at the St Monica’s Retirement Home on Cote Lane near the Downs. The recital included a variety of works from the 18th to the 20th centuries, baroque to light. All introduced and performed with aplomb to an enthusiastic audience on the Petrof concert grand recently used by no less an artist than Peter Donohoe. Following excellent feedback from the residents we have been invited back to give another concert next year.

The programme, a photo of (most of) the Club members who played, and the St Monica’s poster are shown below:

Many congratulations to Bristol Piano Club member Nancy who has just gained a MMus with distinction from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Her examination recital included Ravel’s Sonatine, Chopin’s Barcarolle and Schumann’s Humoreske. We look forward to hearing one or more of these at a meeting in the near future!

I’m very sorry to have to inform Club members of the death of Ernest Woolford. Ernest died in hospital on Tuesday following a fall. He was ninety nine and had been one of the first members of the Club some twenty years ago. I recall reading about his performances at Liszt Society meetings over fifty years ago, never imagining that I would meet him many years later at a residential Chopin weekend, then at an EPTA conference and, latterly, over several years at the Piano Club. He achieved a level of playing that very few amateurs ever manage and had played many major piano concertos with orchestras as well as much of the solo literature from memory in recitals. Following a stroke a couple of years ago he had to restrict his playing to his left hand alone. I’m sure that those who heard him will always remember the astonishing courage and character displayed in those performances. I’ll post more about Ernest at a later date. His funeral is likely to be in early November. I’ll pass on details when I get them. He will be sorely missed at our meetings.

Simon S.

Recital

Local concert pianist and founder of the Schubert Ensemble William Howard is giving a recital at the Victoria Rooms, Whiteladies Road, Bristol on Friday, October 24th, 1:15 – 2:00 pm.

The programme consists of Janáček’s 1905 Sonata, Judith Weir’s The Art of Touching the Keyboard, Chopin’s Mazurka in A minor and  Ballade No.4 in F minor. 

£5 admission charge (UoB students and staff can attend free of charge, with presentation of valid UCard). The admission charge can be paid in advance via the University online shop page or in person on the day of the concert, via card payment.

Please note, cash payments are not accepted.

Doors close promptly at 1.15 pm. Latecomers will not be admitted.

Masterclass

Sunday, 18th January, 2026, 10:00 – 5:00. An informal piano masterclass workshop day with William Howard, one of Britain’s leading classical pianists, open to all piano enthusiasts. Up to nine places are available for intermediate and advanced pianists who wish to perform prepared repertoire. Non-playing observers are also very welcome.

The teaching sessions will be approximately 30 minutes long. Each will focus on interpretation, performance and technique although participants are welcome to offer other topics for discussion during the day.

Performing participants £75 (plus booking fee) to include tea and coffee.

Non-performing participants £40 (plus booking fee) for the whole day, or £20 per half day session (10am-1pm or 2pm to 5pm).

To book your place please email office@tetburygoodsshed.co.uk or telephone the office on 01666 505496 directly.

Please note places are limited to nine participants for the day.

When booking please give your age, approximate level of ability (e.g. Grade 6 to 8, Diploma, Professional) and the work that you would like to play (this can be done nearer the time if you have not yet decided).

If you are under 18 years of age, an accompanying adult can attend the day free of charge.