Inaugural Gala Concert ...

Our inaugural concert in Stellenbosch was such a wonderful evening and a night I will remember for many years to come.

There was a lovely atmosphere which included the children from the Hout Bay Music Project performing in the foyer of the hall. Those beautiful voices resonating to the accompaniment of strings.

We were honoured to have such fine musicians perform at this inaugural concert; David Juritz - Leader of the London Mozart Players, Suzanne Martens - Leader of the Amici Quartet, Gareth Lubbe - Principal viola of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig, Germany and Peter Martens - cellist of the Amici Quartet.

It was a full house and one of the most interesting aspects was that a large portion of the audience were there more for their affinities to what the Quartet of Peace represents than for the music. It was wonderful to chat to a lot of them after the concert and hear how much they enjoyed hearing the instruments and that string quartet music will now be a gendre that they will listen too!

At the end of the main concert there were solo tributes to each Nobel Laureate in turn. The violins being accompanied by Jane Theron on harp.

The lights were dimmed and it was so moving, not only the heart warming music but to be reminded of how far we have come as a country!

Last week on the 17th, November there was a concert in Leipzig played in the famous St. Thomas Church were J. S. Bach is buried.

The musicians said it was an inspiring experience playing Art of the Fugue with the great Master in earshot!

 

Our other exciting news is that we have three new musicians that have joined the group. Samson Diamond, Xandi van Dijk and Abel Selacoe. Their profiles are on our web site www.quartetofpeace.com

We are thrilled to have them on board and so looking forward to hear them play together!

Below is a video of the Stellenbosch concert. I have included a few excerpts and not the entire works. I do not have footage of the entire concert including the first solo tribute to Chief Albert Luthuli so have included the sound recording of that tribute with visuals of the making of the instruments.

The video below is best viewed in HD and full screen. For email subscribers the video can viewed by clicking here: Inaugural Gala Concert