Kobie Du Plessis

Upcoming Concerts:

• 11 December 2011, Christmas Carrols for Madremanya, St Stephen’s Church, 5 pm.
• 17 December 2011, 3 harpsolo’s for Goethe Concert in German Church, 6 pm, Barcelona.

Past Concerts:

• Sunday 30. October, 17:00 – Barockmuseum, Salzburg, Mirabellplatz 3. Harp & Flute Duo with Amanda du Preez.
• Friday 28 October, 19:30, Kellerstrasse 31, Grödig, Salzburg, Harp and Flute Duo with Amanda du Preez.
• October 23, 2011, Harp and Flute Duo, Salzburg Austria, flute with Amanda du Preez.
• June 2011 Concert , St. Stephen’s Church and St. George’s Church Barcelona.
• March 2011, Debussy and Gershwin, with guest artist, excellent Moldavian flautist Iulian Gogu.

KOBIE´S SOUTH AFRICA CONCERTS

• September 12, SOLO Recital for South African Harp Society at 43 Locksley Road, Robindale, Johannesburg

OCTOBER HARP AND OBOE CONCERTS

• Wednesday 13, Dutch Reformed Church WELGELEGEN,Stellenbosch
• Thursday 14, Morning, Lindbergh Arts Foundation, Muizenberg
• Friday 15, Concert Francois Smuts, Bellville
• Sunday 17, St Andrew Church,Cape Town 16h00
• Wednesday 20, Music Society, George
• Thursday 21, Music Society, Stilbaai
• Friday 22, Music Society, Hermanus

Contact Anton: anton@musicmaestros.co.za to book

• July 17 – HARP AND VIOLIN RECITAL with famous South African violinist
  Roelof Swart in KOBIE´S GARDEN, CASTELLDEFELS
  Drinks at 6 pm, CONCERT at 7 pm, Barbecue by Charl at 8 pm.
• JUNE 26. HARP SOLO RECITAL at 7 pm, St George´s Church, BARCELONA
• MAY: Harp and Oboe Concerts,in Cologne, Germany with Thekla von Dombois
• May 13 – Harp and oboe concert: Erlöserkirche, Köln-Rodenkirche
• May 14 – Harp and oboe recital Antoniter Church, Schildergasse

Free TV : Ustream

• February 12 – Kobie Plays on Three Harps in the Auditorium of the North American Institute in Via Augusta 123, at a Charity Event organised by the Barcelona Womens Network
• February 2, Kobie gives solo recital at LAS LUNAS, Sant Cugat, Barcelona

2009

• October 2, 2009 – Violin and harp duo concert with Ala Voronkova, Russian Soloist
  Performing works by Paganini, Saint Saens, Zabel and more..
  Casa Orlandai, C/Jaume Piquet, 23, Barcelona
• September 26, 2009 – Solo recital at Madremanya, Melissa’s Garden
• August 1, 2009 – Harp and flute concert of French Music with flautist Julian Gogu from Moldavia held in La Giralda, L´Arboc
• July 10 -13, 2009 – Juror in harp competition, and Guest Performer in Harfentage, Voralberg (Austria)

2008

• October 16 2008 – HARP DUO CONCERT BY NEWLY FORMED “DAMES DEL SUR”, Kobie du Plessis and Magdalena Barrera Oro, at Casa Orlandai, Calle Jaume Piquet 23, Barcelona
  
• More programmes planned with 2 harps later in November & December 2008

• Concert with Matthias Weinman, Harp and Violoncello Recital, Casa Orlandai.
• Concert for harp and ´cello with Matthias Weinman, Molle Russa.
• Concert for harp and ´cello, at Iglesia San Mattias, for Jeronimes, invited audience.

2007

• Harp and Oboe duo with Thekla von Dombois: concert in German Church, Barcelona.
• Farewell concert at the residence of Patricia Neish, for the International Women´s Club in Barcelona.
• Solo´s at Concert for International Women´s Club at Casa Orlandai.
• Concert for Harp Voice and Piano, with Soprano Michelle Cook and Pianist Alan Cook at Casa Elisende.
• Duo´s with Matthias Weinman, German Church, Barcelona.

2006
Spain:

• Concert with Jazz singer Gwen Perry at the BWN concert in the concert hall of the North American Institute, Barcelona, together with Thekla von Dombois, performing a number of Kobie´s own arrangements for harp and oboe and jazz singer.

South Africa:

• Solo performance in the Dutch Reformed Church Tamboerskloof, Cape Town.
• Concerts on celtic harp in the Moederkerk, Somerset West.

2005

• Hosted internationally famous harpist Edward Witsenburg in Barcelona for individual lessons and masterclasses.
• Performed in trio with Edward Witsenburg and Magdalena Barera Oro in Barcelona at The Arts Centre Real.
• Performed at the Licieu Opera Theatre in Barcelona: in a quintet, a work of Martinu.
• Accompanied a women´s choir of the Palau de la Musica in a work of Janaçe.
• Concert in the Castle, Castelldefels, in duo with oboist Thekla von Dombois.
• Duo recital with Thekla in German Church Barcelona.

2004
Spain:

• Kobie performed solo´s, duo´s with oboist Thekla von Dombois and accompanied a singer in a Chamber Concert in honor of the International Women´s Club, in the residence of the Consul General of the USA.
• She and Thekla von Dombois formed a Harp and Oboe Duo ensemble.
• Solo Recital at the house of Marta Anglada.
• Gave a solo recital at the St George´s Church of Barcelona.
• Concert with Oboe and Cello, German Church of Barcelona.

South Africa Concert tour to South Africa,Western Cape:

• 6 solo recitals at various locations.
• 1 recital with a singer.
• 2 concerto´s : the 6th Concerto of Johann Christian Bach, and the Danse Sacre et Profane of Debussy with the UCT String orchestra, in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch and in the Baxter Hall,Cape Town.

2003

• Kobie performed for ´South Africa House´ in a New Years´ concert in Amsterdam with South African oboist Kobus Malan.
• Performed her own arrangements for harp and melodic instrument with Peter vd Wateren, at the lecturers concert (docentenconcert) in Stadskanaal, Zuid Groningen.
• Performed with the String ensemble of Ingrid Holleman various works for string ensemble and harp.
• Moved to Spain with her family (at the end of July).

2002

• Kobie gave duo concerts for harp and violin, (with Ingrid Holleman), performing works of Spohr, Backhoven, Tournier, etc. in Geleen and Limbricht.
• Concert with the Women´s choir “Canta con fueco” in Geleen, playing Gustav Holst´s “ Hymns of the Rig Veda” and “Two Eastern Pictures”.
• Played concert with the Harmonie W Posterholt, Roermond.
• Toured to Valencia, Spain, as harpist in the Harmonie Concordia of Melick, winning the First prize in the Yearly Competition for Wind Orchestras in Valencia.
• Solo harp concert in Zuid Afrika Huis (South Africa House), Amsterdam.
• Concert with Dutch soprano Maja Schermerhorn in Amsterdam, performing South African songs by S le Roux Marais, as well as songs for harp and voice by
• Britten, Schumann, Ravel, etc.

2001

• In Holland she performed various times for the South African Ambassador Priscilla Jana in The Hague, Netherlands, at the Embassy as well as at the SA Residency, The Hague.
• She also performed on one occasion for the Dutch Princess, Margriet, as well as for the wife of South African President Thabu Mbeki.
• She featured as an Ad hoc harpist with the Kerkrade Symphony Orchestra performing in an Opera concert in Eindhoven, and the Spring Concert in Kerkrade, Limburg Theatre.

2000

• Kobie moved in the beginning of that year to the Netherlands with her husband Charl and two children, Suemari and Chris.
• In August she gave a solo recital in the famous Grachten Festival in Amsterdam, representing her country. It was the first concert sold out weeks before the event!

1999 AND BEFORE (IN SOUTH AFRICA)

• Kobie was co-founder of the Cape Harp Society, which promotes the harp in South Africa as well as harp concerts throughout the Western Cape. It is affiliated with the South African Harp Society.
• Kobie performed in the ¨Syrinx¨ flute and harp duo with CTSO Principal flautist Corvin Matei: they were soloists in Mozart´s harp and flute concerto with the CTSO, Cape Town; also with the Free State Performing Arts Orchestra.The Syrinx duo recorded a cassette for flute and harp. Kobie recorded a cassette called ´Harp music for Christmas´.
• Solo and duo broadcasts on national radio, duo and trio (harp, flute and viola) concerts at various important venues like Nederburg, Oude Meester, and the Nico Malan Theatre, Cape Town.
• For two years she performed as first harpist on ad hoc basis in the Cape Town Symphony orchestra. She performed as soloist win the Stellenbosch String Orchestra.
• Besides freelancing in the Cape Town symphony orchestra and the Cape Perfoming Arts board opera and ballet orchestra, Kobie freelanced for the Free State Orchestra and the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra in Durban.
• She performed as harpist in the orchestra performing for Pavarotti when he gave his concert in front 27 000 people in Stellenbosch.
• In May 1999 she toured the Transvaal giving various concerts in Johannesburg and Pretoria, as well as broadcasts (interviews and music of her cd as well as live performance from a church in Johannesburg) for the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
• Kobie gave various solo recitals on her three harps throughout the Western Cape as well as harp and flute recitals. Solo recital 1 October ´the harp in spring´- music in the gallery – arts association of Bellville gallery.
• She recorded a compact disc with Corvin Matei called “En Bateau” – Music for flute and harp, by the Syrinx duo. At the end of 1999 the disc was sold out in South Africa.

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Performing:

Edward Witsenberg

Magedalena Barrera-Oro

Kobie Du Plessis

(… full programme)

Performing:

Thekla Von Dombois

Kobie Du Plessis

(… full programme)

Kobie du Plessis was born in South Africa to parents who encouraged culture. Her father was English Inspector of Schools in the Orange Free State, and her mother was a painter who exhibited widely and also performed as singer.

Kobie started with the piano at the age of seven, and from the age of nine started winning awards and scholarships with the piano at Eisteddfods and music exams.

She started on the Celtic Harp when she was twelve years old. She also performed with this harp in the Free State Youth Woodwind Orchestra.

Kobie attended the University of Pretoria to study harp at the Conservatorium under Rosalind Dunbar (who studied in Belgium and Holland under Phia Berghout) where she majored in performance. In her third year she won the Pretorium Trust Scholarship for outstanding performance. During her studies, Kobie joined the SABC Junior Orchestra and twice accompanied them on tour to South America. She performed the Debussy Dances with the orchestra in the Teatro Solis in Montevideo (Uruguay) as well as in South Africa. She also performed with the South African Youth Orchestra.

After her studies Kobie took harp lessons with Kathleen Alister, doyenne of harp in South Africa. Kobie also started teaching piano and harp. After marrying Charl du Plessis, she moved to the Western Cape with her husband and started freelancing in the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra (CTSO) and Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB).

Kobie formed a duo, Syrinx Duo, with principal flautist of the CTSO at that time, Corvin Matei. Together they recorded a compact disc with classical music for flute and harp. Syrinx Duo performed the Mozart Concerto for Harp and Flute for the 25th Anniversary of the Free State Orchestra (PACOFS) as well as with the CTSO. They also broadcast with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

Kobie performed with various chamber music groups in the Western Cape. She also broadcast solo music for the SABC. She was frequently asked to free-lance in the Durban Orchestra and regularly performed solos with the Stellenbosch Chamber Orchestra. While Kobie was free-lancing as first harpist for the CTSO, the orchestra accompanied Pavarotti when he performed in the Stellenbosch.

Kobie taught harp for must of the time, especially the Celtic Harp, which was more readily available to students. She also taught her daughter Suemari first on the Celtic Harp and later on the Concert Harp. Her son Chris plays the violin. Kobie arranged many pieces for harp and violin for her two children. Later she formed a duo with a violinist, Roelof Swart, with whom she performed for four years.

Kobie started arranging light and contemporary music to for solo harp as well as duos with a flute or violin for the purpose of performing at special events such as weddings, at exhibitions etc.

In 2001 Kobie moved overseas with her family. They first lived in Holland, where she performed in Amsterdam for the Grachten Festival as representative of her country. She repeatedly performed for the South African Embassy in The Hague. Kobie also performed with local musicians and choirs near Maastricht, where she lived. After two and a half years the family moved to Barcelona.

In 2004 she returned to the Western Cape where she performed two concerti with a string orchestra. She gave five solo recitals and one concert with a singer.

In 2005 Kobie performed in a Chamber Music Group at the Liceau Theatre in Barcelona. She also received her mentor and world famous harpist Edward Witsenburg at her home. Together with Edward Witsenburg and Magdalena Barera Oro, Kobie partook in a three harps concert.

Recently Kobie developed an interest in traditional Spanish and Catalan harp music. Her latest interest is in Irish Celtic music. She has three harps, a Celtic, Austrian Folk and a Concert Harp. She likes to perform using one or a combination of her harps, which in combination with her diverse collection of music demonstrates all the different colours of sounds of the harps.