Review: 2025 Bermuda Piano Festival

July 21, 2025 | 0 Comments

[Written by Constance Ridley-Smith, Ph.D.]

Midweek in the Piano Festival, renowned concert pianist and master teacher Eteri Andjaparidze led a festival masterclass that proved to be one of the most educationally enriching events of the season. She heard and instructed three adult pianists, each of whom performed advanced classical works:

Svetlana Egorova: Beethoven’s “Pathétique” Sonata, Op. 13
Edward Rance: Chopin’s Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 31
Constance Ridley-Smith: Chopin’s Etude, Op. 10 No. 12 and Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G Minor, Op. 23 No. 5

Eteri’s instruction was knowledgeable, insightful, and encouraging. She imparted nuggets of technique that addressed often-overlooked nuances — which can make a critical difference in performance. For me, particularly useful was her guidance on how to lift the hand appropriately to execute phrasing in the Chopin Etude. She also drew attention to a recurring rhythmic motif in the Rachmaninoff — a dotted quarter note preceded by two sixteenths — a pattern that appears throughout the piece. Her emphasis on bringing this rhythm to life transformed the prelude from what could seem a pedantic, repetitive exercise into something engaging and compelling.

She repeatedly emphasized, “The markings are all in the score.”

Eteri’s teaching was on par with what I’ve received from other world-class pianists in European masterclasses — including the late Nelita True, Elisabeth Pridonoff, Niklas Sivelöv, and Luis de Moura Castro. She transformed my performance with one key tip:

“Practice the left hand like an exercise; the left hand must sing its own melody.”

And about fudging the left-hand octaves, she humorously warned, “No shortcuts – Rachmaninoff knows!”

The Master Class was a most pleasant way to spend a Wednesday afternoon, and my heartfelt thanks go out to the donors whose gifts to the festival made the lessons and masterclass tuition-free. Their generosity helped create an experience of lasting value for all who participated.

To hear my performance of the Rachmaninoff Prelude — now incorporating much of Eteri’s instruction — see the video below.