Darling Musical Experience: weekend one

Escape to the country for the classics

Come see with your ears as Bach and friends go on vacation to West Coast gem of darling. The Darling Classical Music Festival takes place over two successive weekends of summer performances in February.

The Darling Music Experience, a brainchild of conductor David Tidboald, composer Hendrik Hofmeyr and music enthusiast Alfred Legner, was launched in 2006 with the aim to organise small concerts in a rural setting for both lovers of classical and more popular music.

Under the artistic directorship of South African born German pianist Andreas Kern the music on offer varies between classical and contemporary chamber music, popular choir works and Jazz, bringing together community ensembles and soloists with well known national and international musicians.

A change of scenery

The venues for the concerts vary between pretty wine estates, Darling’s lovely old Presbyterian Church, village barns, and even a Vlei. Delicious local food and the well known Darling wines play an integral role in the DME and enhances the whole experience for you, the concertgoer.

For our kids we have introduced the DME Musical Rally, a fun event to encouraging them “to use their ears as eyes”.

In a nutshell: our idea is to freshen the image of classical music and increase its accessibility to all sectors of the West Coast, Cape Town and beyond and to celebrate the good things in life.

Why not make a weekend out of it and find some accommodation out that side of the world.

The First Weekend
Click here for the first weekend lineup ( 2 - 5 February) 

Friday, 3 February

• 19h30 | VG Kerk | Somerset Street, Darling

The DME Festival Choir sings excerpts from Magnificat and Cantata 147- Moudee Montierre, Soprano, winner of the Samro Overseas Scholarship 2011, and Lisa Engelbrecht, Piano, perform excerpts of the Anna Magadalena song book, Cantata BWV 51 etc.

The Darling Music for All Initiative Progress Report

Admission: free (donations welcome)

Saturday, 4 February

• 11h00 | Groote Post | off R 27 or Mamre rd

The Groote Post Matinee“Baroque Music for Modern Players” with Magda de Vries, Marimba, and Tyrone Appollis, Penny Whistle followed by lunch at Hilda’s Kitchen.

Admission: R 250p/p (includes lunch)

• 16h00 | The Buttery (Darling Museum) | Darling, Hill Street

Marim Bach: Magda de Vries, Marimba.

Admission: R 100p/p

• 19h30 | Presbyterian Church, Darling | Pastorie Street

Cello Concerto: Marian Lewin, the doyenne of cellists in South Africa, and Darling’s favourite pianist Tertia Visser play Bach, Bloch, Mendelsohn, Rachmaninoff, Saint Saens and more.

Admission: R 100p/p

Sunday, 5 February

• 12h30 | !Khwa ttu San educational centre | off R 27

The Darling Cellars Classic Lunch in cooperation with The Square Restaurant/ Vineyard Hotel, Newlands. Hans Huyssen, Cello, plays Bach’s Cello Suites No 1 and 2.

Admission: R 100 plus cost for set menu

• 17h00 | Maritz Studio Gallery, Darling | 5 Nemesia Street

“Baroque meets African Classical Music” Derek Gripper, Guitar, plays Bach and Toumani Diabete.

Admission: R 100p/p

• 19h30 | Presbyterian Church

“Piano- und Lautenkunst” from Germany (tbc) with Lena Seidl, piano, and Uwe Grosser, lute.

Admission: R 50p/p

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