Thirteen of us came together on a beautiful afternoon at Marion’s house in Cam for the August Club meeting. Many thanks again to Simon H for prepping the piano so nicely and to all who contributed to the delicious buffet with many homemade items. And, most of all, to Marion who generously hosted, in the absence of Len, her house, piano and garden. It really was a lovely event and we are all very grateful to her.
Bristol Piano Club August 2026
Performer
Composer
Piece
Chris
Oswald Russell
Jamaican Dance No. 2
Anne K
Bach
Largo from D minor Organ Concerto
C. Franck
Danse Lente
Simon S
Bach
Fugue in Bb minor, Bk II, WTK
King
June Night on Marlow Reach
Nancy
Schubert
Scherzo and Trio from Sonata in A, D 959
Richard
Debussy
Hommage à Rameau (Images, Bk II)
Peter
JS Bach
Sarabande from French Suite No. 2
Chopin
Mazurka in Bb major, op. 7 no. 1
Bartok
Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm No. 6 from Mikrokosmos Bk 6
The next piano workshop will be in Bedminster at Fran’s on the evening of Friday, September 25th, 7 – 9 pm. Numbers are restricted to 5 plus Fran. If you are interested let Simon know. For more details of our Club workshops see the website page.
Despite a wet start to Sunday morning, by 3 pm the weather was glorious and twenty three of us gathered at Cheryl and Bryans for the Club Summer Party, Graham and Margaret having passed on the baton last year. We enjoyed some excellent playing on the just-tuned Kawai (many thanks Simon H!) which sounded very beautiful – a lovely rounded tone from where I was sitting. New members Kim and Jeff bravely played their first pieces at a club meeting and did very well indeed. We look forward to hearing much more from them in the years to come! After a couple of hours of music we drifted out to the garden. Delicious aromas wafted from the BBQ with Bryan and Simon managing the charcoal and cooking process superbly. More hours of conversation and dining followed by outdoor table tennis, croquet and swing-bat. A fantastic event and our huge thanks to wonderful hosts Cheryl and Bryan for all their hard work!
Piano Club member Matthew O’Connor is performing in his group, Phonseca, this weekend at the Keynsham Music Festival. Phonseca are on the top stage on Sunday 12 noon. If you’re in the area why not pop along and support them?
Our June meeting was held in Graham and Margaret’s beautiful home and extensive gardens. There was a varied and extensive programme of music performed on the lovely old Bechstein grand before we adjourned to the lawn marquee for a meal and drinks. An afternoon and evening full of delights and moments to treasure – many, many thanks to Graham and Margaret and sons, James and Tim, for their magnificent hospitality.
Come along and entertain the residents in their retirement home with light-hearted musical fare on Sunday afternoon, December 20th, 2026. Contact Leo for further details nearer the time.
Twenty of us attended the Club meeting at Brian and Dorette’s for another afternoon and evening of music making and socialising. We welcomed two potential new members – Jeff and Ilaha, enjoyed the playing of newish members Julie, Natalie and Nickie as well as the contributions of other seasoned veterans! Many thanks to Brian and Dorette for their amazing warmth and hospitality.
Bristol Piano Club Playlist – May 2026
Performer
Composer
Piece
Mark
Debussy
Sarabande from Pour le Piano
Charles
Fauré
Nocturne No.4 in E♭
Peter
Strayhorn/ Ellington
Take the ‘A’ Train
Jason Rebello
Dark Avenger
Anne
Haydn
Adagio in G major from Piano Trio No.2
Julie
Bach
Fugue in G, BWV 902
Samuel Wesley
Waltz from Sonata in B ♭ Op.5 No.2
Fran
Lennon
Imagine
Bach
Prelude in D major, BWV 925 (from 18 Kleine Praeludien)
Join other Bristol Piano Club members for an informal masterclass to be led by Helen Reid, one of Bristol’s leading teachers.
When: Friday 16 October 2026, 10:00–16:00 Location: Stoke Bishop, Bristol (venue details provided on booking) Fees – Members: £50 (playing), £12 (observers); Fees – Non-members – £60 (playing), £12 (observers). The non-member fee includes a complimentary BPC membership for the remainder of the year. Lunch: participants should bring a packed lunch
Up to eight places are available for pianists who will perform a piece of prepared repertoire. The teaching sessions will be approximately 30 minutes long per pianist, and will focus on interpretation, performance, and technique, but all participants are welcome to offer other topics for discussion during the day.
Up to eight places are available for pianists who will perform a piece of prepared repertoire. The teaching sessions will be approximately 30 minutes long per pianist, and will focus on interpretation, performance, and technique, but all participants are welcome to offer other topics for discussion during the day.
In addition to the participants, there will be places available for a small number of observers at £12 for the day.
Helen Reid (see https://helenreidpiano.com) is a former BBC Young Musician of the Year keyboard finalist, and currently pursues a busy career teaching and performing around the UK. As well as performing as a soloist, she is in demand as an accompanist, and regularly performs with the Bristol Ensemble and other chamber groups. Helen works with advanced piano students, both privately and at the University of Bristol.
Helen has given recitals all around in England, at venues including the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Fairfield Halls and Blackheath Halls, London, St. George’s, Bristol, Cheltenham, the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester and the Aldeburgh and Buxton Festivals. She has performed in Spain, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Performances have included Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and the world premiere of David Matthews’ Piano Concerto at Dartington International Summer Festival, a work written for Helen.
To reserve a place or for further details, do not reply to this email but contact Club member Mark Ware at mark@markwareconsulting.com or on 07973 824378.
(NB, the fee shown is provisional, assuming the full number of 8 attendees; it may be slightly higher if demand is lower, and will be finalised as soon as numbers are known)
Leo and Paul’s kitchen/ music salon was at peak capacity yesterday afternoon for an amazing afternoon of piano music on their magnificent Yamaha grand. We welcomed Kim to the Club for a trial meeting and are pleased to announce she will be joining. Thanks to everyone who brought food and drink to the buffet and, most of all to Leo and Paul for being such warm and generous hosts!
Bristol Piano Club Playlist April 2026
Performer
Composer
Piece
Simon S
Alban Berg
Sonata op. 1
Eric Coates
Green Hills of Somerset & The Sleepy Lagoon
Anne K
Mozart
Fantasia in D minor
Field
Nocturne no. 16
Kathryn
Chopin
Barcarolle, op. 60
Richard
Tchaikovsky
April from The Seasons
Jean W
Wild/ Gershwin
‘Somebody Loves Me’ from Seven Virtuoso Etudes after Gershwin
Kay
Fauré
Andante Moderato, no. 5 from Eight Short Pieces, op. 84
Bristol Piano Club 