Our first masterclass of 2025 repeated the successes of last year’s events. It was led by pianist and teacher Helen Reid, who showed again that she was not just an excellent pianist but also an inspiring, engaging, and insightful teacher. As participants put it afterwards:
“[there was] lots of excellent musical/piano wisdom” – “[Helen] was great – gentle but intentional, sincerely encouraging and with lots of very useful practical and inspirational tips for teaching and playing alike.”
The workshop was held on Thursday 10 July at the home of Simon and Jill Scott, where we benefited from being able to play their superb, and newly restored, Bösendorfer 225 grand piano.
As usual at Club meetings, participants offered a varied programme, with works by composers ranging from Bach to Florence Price and her pupil Margaret Bonds:
Fran – Bach: Invention No.8 in F; Galuppi: Sonata in D, 1st mvt (Adagio)
Ruth – Schubert : Sonata in A minor Opus post. 164 D 537
Kay – Debussy: Reverie
Robin – Margaret Bonds: Troubled Water
Simon S – Fauré: Nocturne No.11 F♯ minor
Jean W – Florence Price: Fantasie nègre No. 1 in E minor
Jean A – Beethoven: Sonata in A♭ Op.26, 1st mvt (Andante con Variazioni)
About Helen Reid
Helen Reid (see https://helenreidpiano.com](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.
Future events
The Piano Club is planning another masterclass in November, with details to be announced soon – watch this space!
William Howard, who has also led a masterclass for the Club, will be running his course “Creative Practising – How to Keep Your Piano Practice Fresh” again this year on 25–27 October at Jackdaws – see https://www.jackdaws.org.uk/events/3705/
Bristol Piano Club 