The West Coast town of Darling is set to come alive over two weekends from 3-12 February with the 2012 Darling Music Experience; a wonderfully varied programme.

In 2012, the programme of this West Coast Classical Music Festival focuses on some of the greatest music ever written. Exemplary South African and international artists will perform fresh interpretations of classical music in the light-hearted atmosphere that has distinguished this festival since its inception in 2006.

Under the artistic directorship of Andreas Kern you can expect great music, packaged dynamically, ranging from classical solo recitals on cello, guitar, marimba and organ to a jazzed up gig by a brass quintet. Furthermore: the recorder will team up with a guitar, the cello with a piano, the marimba with a penny whistle, the lute with a piano and a most talented soprano with a festival choir. A baroque ensemble, playing on original instruments, and a trombone duo will complete the diverse programme.

The music is put into a context by a number of 30 minute talks/discussions and workshops for the children.

Performing artists include:

• Maurice Steger, the recorder virtuoso from Switzerland is one of the most influential and popular soloists of his generation
• James Grace, the South African concert guitarist is the 2011 KykNet Fiesta Award winner
• Marian Lewin, the doyenne of cellists in South Africa
• Magda de Vries, South Africa’s classical marimba player extraordinaire
• Hans Huyssen, cellist and composer- 2010 Helgaard Steyn Award winner
• Derek Gripper, groundbreaking South African guitarist
• German lutenist Uwe Grosser; the Austrian trombone duo Christian Radovan and Alois Eberl
• Soprano Maudee Montierre, winner of the Samro Overseas scholarship 2011
• Eben Wagenstroom, organ, winner of the Artscape National Youth Music Competition 2011
• and The Solid Brass Quintet.

Baroque, Bach and Bacchus:

The pairing of spirited musical performances with good food and wine form an integral part of the festival. This is reflected in the choice of venues which include wine farms in the Darling Hills and a beach restaurant close by.

Other venues include art galleries, barns and the Dutch Reformed Church with its outstanding organ. The main venue is the beautiful, century old, very intimate Darling Presbyterian Church.
This Darling Bach Festival is not only Bach but uniquely Darling. This also means that all profits will be invested in the “El Systema” inspired musical education programme “Darling Music for All”.

For more information: www.darlingmusic.org, follow us on Facebook or e-mail [email protected].

For bookings call Chanda 078 297 0221 or 022 492 3995; e-mail:[email protected]

Darling Music Experience Line-Up:

1st Weekend

FRIDAY, 3 February
19h30 | VG Kerk, Somerset Street, Darling
- DME Festival Choir sings excerpts from Magnificat and Cantata 147
- Maudee 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: R250 (includes lunch)

16h00 | The Buttery (Darling Museum), Darling, Hill Street
- Marim Bach: Magda de Vries, Marimba.
Admission: R100

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, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, Saint Saens and more.
Admission: R100

SUNDAY, 5 February
12h30 | !Khwa ttu, off R27
- 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: R100 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: R100

19h30 | Presbyterian Church
“Piano- und Lautenkunst” from Germany with Lena Seidl, piano, and Uwe Grosser, lute.
Admission: R50

2nd Weekend

FRIDAY, 10 February
19h30 | Presbyterian Church
- The Noordhoek Baroque Ensemble
“The Sound of the Eighteenth Century” Bach and Handel on original instruments.
Admission: R50

SATURDAY, 11 February
12h00 | Groote Post, off R 27 or Mamre rd
- Bach and Pentz: “The old men sparkle”
A very personal introduction to Champagne making with winemaker, Lukas Wentzel, followed by lunch at Hilda’s Kitchen.
- The ever so popular James Grace plays works by Bach, Albeniz, Tarrega, Pujol and Barrios.
Admission: R250 (includes lunch)

15h00 | !Khwa ttu Kid’s Corner:
“Use your Ears as Eyes” Guitar Workshop with Stiga Sola Molefi (tbc).
Admission: free

16h00 | NG Kerk , Darling, Pastorie Str
- Organ Recital with Eben Wagenstroom, Winner of the Artscape National Youth Music Competition 2011, including Prelude and Fugue in C major and A major, BWV 545 and 536.
- “Inventions and Improvisations” Inspired by Bach with the Austrian Trombone Duo Christian Radovan and Alois Eberl
Admission: R50

19h30 | Presbyterian Church, Darling, Pastorie Street
- “J.S. Bach and Friends on Vacation in Darling”
with the world’s leading Recorder virtuoso Maurice Steger and James Grace, Guitar
performing works by Bach, Corelli, Telemann and others.
Admission: R 100

SUNDAY, 12 February
09h00 | Presbyterian Church
- Inter-denominational Church Service with the DME Festival Choir.
Admission: free

12h00 | Strandkombuis , Yzerfontein, 16 Mile Beach
- The Tukulu Jazz Lunch.
- “J.S. Bach meets Duke Ellington and friends” with The Solid Brass Quintet.
Admission: R 280 includes lunch and Tukulu wines.

16h00 | The Planet Art Creative Center
- Kid’s Corner: “Recorder Jamboree” with Maurice Steger.
- a workshop with the world’s leading recorder player and learners of the “Darling Music for All” education initiative.
Admission: free

SEASON TICKETS are available on request: for 1 weekend / for 2 weekends.