Tuesday, September 01, 2015

Nederburg Concert with the Esperanza Trio at the Nederburg Manor House, Paarl

We love classical music and opera and, sadly, our busy life does not allow us enough time to go to as many concerts and recitals as we would love. So, when we were invited to an early evening recital at Nederburg on Sunday, we jumped at the opportunity to hear the Esperanza Trio play some excellent chamber music in the Manor House. The concert finished at 7 and was followed by a simple supper of soup and canapés, accompanied by some good Nederburg wines, all of which are included in the price. There are three more concerts in the series for which you can book: www. concerts@distell.co.za or from Webtickets. They are held on the last Sunday of each month, except for the last which will be on Saturday 21st November and will be the Picnic concert. It was the perfect evening for a concert, wet and cold
The Nederburg Manor House, which houses the Red Table restaurant, in the rain
A view from the terrace of the huge marquee that has been erected for the Nederburg Wine Auction which will be held over the weekend of the 12th and 13th of September. We will be attending.
The interior of the restaurant with a nice fire burning in the fireplace
It is a lovely terrace on a sunny day
An old Dutch master hanging in the main room. It looks like it needs some restoration, the colours would come up beautifully if it was handled properly.
There were glasses of Monis sherry to welcome us, Pale dry (our choice) Medium and Cream. It is nice to see sherry served, it has slipped from people's attention very badly and makes a wonderful aperitif. There were also alternatives for people not wanting alcohol
The pianist's assistant waiting patiently
The Esperanza Trio. The concert began with Weber's Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano, Op. 63. Liesl Stoltz is the flautist, Polina Budukova the cellist and Kerryn Wisniewski is on piano
Flying fingers on the Yamaha grand piano. The next two pieces were Hans Andrè Stamm's Suite for Flute, Cello and Piano and Hendrik Hofmeyr's Notturno Elegiaco
At interval some bobotie spring rolls were served with a coriander chilli dip
And we enjoyed a glass of Nederburg Brut MCC
The cello was made by the internationally acclaimed South African luthier, Dawne Haddad, who was in the audience. It has a magnificent bronze sound
The trio take a bow for the next piece which was Three Watercolours by Philippe Gaubert which we enjoyed enormously.
The last piece was by Astor Piazzola: Four Season of Buenos Aires. He was an ambassador of tango music, but also wrote classical music like this
Two soups were on offer, a thick vegetable (John) and a creamy chicken and mushroom (Lynne)
And there was a huge selection of small bites. Of special mention were very crisp coated, succulent fishcakes, beef Carpaccio on small biscuits, and small smoked chicken salads
Everyone enjoying supper
We had met the chef Edmore Ruzoza last year and he remembered us and came to say hello
Chef with the organiser of the evening Annetjie Hopkins
Four of the 6 wines on offer. They were very good with the food, especially the 2013 Beautiful Lady Gewürztraminer with the soup and the Ingenuity white and red blends with the canapés.. A lovely evening. Driving home however, in pelting sheets of rain, was not much fun
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2015

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