The meeting of the Bristol Piano Club was a lovely musical occasion. We welcomed potential new member Nicky who delighted us with a couple of her own compositions! Musical performances ranged from Handel and Bach through Beethoven and Chopin to Gershwin and Bartok – to name but a few! Followed by congenial conversation and tasty savoury and sweet dishes – to the accompaniment of an entertaining selection of on-the-spur duet pieces.
We look forward to the April meeting at Leo and Paul’s in Keynsham.
One of the UK’s foremost piano technicians and restorers (a friend of our chairman) expects to have a 1980’s Steinway model ‘A’ grand piano ready and available for sale in about a year’s time. It will be ‘as new’ mechanically. The piano is 6′ 2 ” long. Not sure what the price will be but it will certainly be a lot less than new. If you think you could be interested contact Simon Scott for more details (or use the contact address on the website).
Fifteen of us made it to Leo and Paul’s for an afternoon and early evening of music and fellowship. Leo’s six foot Yamaha grand (tuned for the occasion by Simon H) was in sparkling form and much enjoyed. A huge variety of music was performed and congratulations to Julie for playing to us so beautifully for the first time.
…. looking to 2026 – we have participants coming from New York and from Hong Kong and we have a new gîte, just opposite the Marie in our beautiful village of Edon. This is currently having a complete refurbishment and will offer four spacious en-suite guest rooms in addition to our beautiful accommodation at the Presbytery.
The number of pianist participants will continue to be limited to seven – this is the magic number that enables everyone to play on a daily basis to either Helen or myself and which keeps our courses bespoke and personal.
There has been a small increase in the fee for next year by £100 in order to reflect the increase in food costs and travel for our guest performers. Course fees for participants will be set at £1700 and partners are welcomed at £425.
Once you arrive at Le Maillard everything is paid for which includes accommodation, food, wine, two private lessons, trips out, restaurant dinners, yoga, concerts and, new for next year, ‘conversation cafe’ with Sofie (not our Daschund, although her French is coming along) but our new resident French teacher in the village.
We are accepting deposits of £850 for participants and £200 for partners and will need this to secure your place.
With seasonal illnesses affecting not a few of us, a select group of seven met at Jan and Jonathan’s for our first meeting of the new year. We enjoyed the real warmth of their welcome and the log fires after the cold and wet outside. We remembered Len Miller who died last week and some of the music was played in tribute to him. Our thoughts are with Marion and Jack at this very sad time.
Despite our limited numbers there was a lot of music played on the Danemann grand and the meeting lasted over four hours. A great start to 2026 and our thanks again to Jan and Jonathan for being such wonderful hosts.
Playlist – January 2026
Performer
Composer
Piece
Simon S
Fauré
Nocturne in Db, op. 63
Ernest Fischer
A Little Piece of Lace (Foxtrot)
Eric Coates
Last Love
Trad. arr Harold Potter
Two Guitars
Brian
Joseph Kosma
Autumn Leaves
Arr. Pete Churchill
Abide with Me (in memory of Len Miller)
Pam Wedgwood
Forgotten Dreams, Wild Poppies & Flinders St
Richard
Chopin
Study in E major, op. 10, no. 3
Jonathan
Fauré
Romance sans Paroles, op. 17 no. 3
Copland
No. 2 from Four Piano Blues
Jan
J S Bach
Gigue from English Suite No. 2 in A minor
Jean
Earl Wild
The Man I Love No. 3 from Seven Virtuoso Etudes after Gershwin
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!!
Bristol Piano Club 