26 April 2012 – write-up by Mark Hinchcliff:

Kobie du Plessis’ three-harp concert in the IEN Auditori was a wonderfully refreshing evening of dazzling musical illumination.

From the hauntingly mellow ancient airs of the medieval Celtic harp, through a wide range of international evergreens on the Austrian folkharp, to the soaring symphonic virtuosity of the concert harp, Kobie held her audience entranced and enraptured throughout.

From such a treasury of music past and present it is both difficult and unfair to single out individual items. But I shall follow Kobie’s future concert schedule keenly, hoping once again to hear the strains of Grandjany’s “3 Petit Pieces”, the ringing echoing birdcalls of the Amazonian “Pajaro Campana”, Glinka’s sparkling “Variations on a theme of Mozart”, and the loungy “Sweet Blues”, to mention but a few.

Thank you Kobie, for providing that evasive instance of “time was away and somewhere else”, with struggles and recession relegated to a transient oblivion, whilst one was seduced by an infusion of trouvere melodies, folksongs from distant lands and eras, and brilliant classical works.

Letter from President of BWN after the concert:

Dear Kobie,

On behalf of BWN and the charities that we support, thank you for your fantastic concert last night. I enjoyed the repertoire and so did all the attendees to whom I talked afterwards. We all appreciated your performance. In short, a great success! Again, thank you for collaborating with BWN and I hope that you would be available for another concert in the future.

Best,Alejandra

Alejandra Ruiz

President

www.bcnwomensnetwork.com

BWN Charity Committee wrote on 29 april:

Dear members and friends of BWN:

We had a delightful evening last Thursday with a music tour of the world

that Kobie du Plessis prepared for us with her harps. Everybody enjoyed her

music. On behalf of the charity organisations that BWN

supports, thank you very much to Kobie and to everybody who helped and

participated to make this a very enjoyable and successful event.

Sincerely,

BWN Charity Committee

Jose Miguel wrote:

Thanks a lot for the concert. It was exceptional, beautiful and … I don’t have words. I’m very happy to listen this especial music. I wrote a DVD with few videos.

“Kobie du Plessis’s three-harp concert (IEN Auditorium, Barcelona, 26 April 2012) was both delightful entertainment and a musical revelation, showing how many different kinds of music can be successfully adapted for this instrument less familiar to the general public. From traditional Welsh airs to the vibrant rhythms of Mexico and South America to Russia and France, the audience revelled in Kobie’s talent, versatility and infectious passion for her music and her harps”.

V. Collins, Barcelona.

KOBIE DU PLESSIS

“Ms. Du Plessis is the most proficient and virtuosi player of the Harp, an instrument we do not have many opportunities to listen to. With impeccable technique and feeling, she obtains a most evocative and spiritual music .

She plays three instruments: the Celtic harp, small and primitive whose sound that reminds you of the Minstrels. The Folk harp, playful and good for parties where she can play any tune. It is though, a very complicated instrument to perform with as many as seven pedals. Finally, the jewel of the crown is her huge, majestic Concert harp for classical music.

Ms Du Plessis is also a singer and with very pleasant and velvety voice accompanies some of her songs.

Her concerts are a real treat for all kind of audiences. We are very lucky in Barcelona to have such a rare and wonderful performer”.

Ana Aguilar, Barcelona, 2 May 2012.

Performing:

PROGRAMM

Josef Molnar: Fantasie mit Themen japanischer Volkslieder
Einleitiung – Tanku Bushi (Allegro)
Kusatsu-Bushi
Yosakoi-Bushi (Largo)
Berceuse – Soran-Bushi
(Allegro – Langsam und frei-Presto

Georges Bizet (1838-1875) :Minuet aus L’Arlesienne

Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) :Sonate in C-Dur
Allegro Spiritio
Larghetto
Tempo di minuetto

Arthur Wegelin (1908-) Voels op Aasvoelkop

Bernard Andres ALGUES
7 Kleine Stücke

Frans Lehar DIE LUSTIGE WITWE
Ich liebe dich, Vilia.

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937): Piece en Forme de Habanera

Jacques Ibert (1890-1962): Entr’acte

Theatre of the IEN, Via Augusta 123, Barcelona
For the Charities of the BWN

Programme

KOBIE´S PROGRAM (With a Love Theme Twist!)

ON THE CELTIC HARP
Music from the Middle Ages and Beyond:
1. Lai et Rotrouenge Two Trouvère melodies of the Third Crusade (Lai:Blondel de Nesle,
Rotrouenge:Richard I,”Lion Heart”)
2. Minuet Jean-Jacques Rosseau, philosopher
3. Greensleeves Olde English Love Song
4. Aria and Rondo Charles Bochsa
ON THE AUSTRIAN FOLK HARP
Traditional Music from Various Countries:
1. Halbwalzer + Lechtaler Walzer – Austrian
2. All through the Night – Welsh
3. O Danny Boy -Irish
4 Al lê die berge nog so blou – Afrikaans
5 Medley:Kwêla,Tula,Mangwane -South African Tribal
6 Besamé -Mexican
Something more Classical:
7 ETUDE – F J DIZI

ON THE CONCERT HARP Romantic Music: 

1 FANTASIE - C SAINT SAENS 

2 LA SOURCE - A ZABEL 

3 WATCHING THE WHEAT (A love story) -J

THOMAS Modern Music: 

4 TRAVELING -MONIKA STADLER 

5 MEDLEY of 4 LOVE SONGS

Concierto de tres arpasdel26 de abrildel 2012.

29/4/12.

Berta Busquets comentó:

Querida Kobie,

Tu concierto fue excelente. Todo el mundo disfrutó mucho y cantas muy bien.

Te mando algunas de las fotos que hice después del concierto con tus amigas.

Un buen recuerdo de aquel día.

Querida Kobie,

De parte de BWN y las sociedades benéficas que mantenemos, gracias por tu concierto tan fantástico de ayer por la noche.

Disfruté del repertorio y toda la gente que estuvo allí y con quienes hablé despuésdelconcierto apreció tu actuación.

Por supuesto, un gran éxito.

De nuevo, gracias por colaborar con BWN y espero que estés disponible para otro concierto en un futuro próximo.

José Miguel escribió:
Muchas gracias por el concierto. Fue excepcional, bonito y… no tengo palabras. Estoy muy contento de escuchar esta música tan especial. He escrito un DVD

con unos pocos videos.

El concierto de tres arpas de Kobie du Plessis (IEN Auditorio,Barcelona, 26 de abrildel2012) fue un espectáculo delicioso y una revelación musical mostrandocomomuchas clases diferentes de música pueden adaptarse con éxito a este instrumento menos familiar para el público en general. Desde canciones  tradicionales de Gales hasta los ritmos vibrantes de Méjico y Sudamérica hasta Rusia y Francia, la audiencia se deleitó con el talento de Kobie, su versatilidad y su contagiosa pasión por su música y sus arpas”.

V. Collins,Barcelona.

http://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/articles/kobie-du-plessis

• “Harp Harmonies:
  The Somerset West Music Society will present a concert featuring talented and acclaimed local harpist Kobie du Plessis, with ´Classical Favourites´on three different harps, in the Somerset West Library Hall, October 31 at 20h15.
  Kobie will play popular pieces such as ´Greensleeves´and Troubadour songs on the Celtic Harp, music from the Classical era on her Austrian Harp (single action pedal) and music from the Romantic era on her Concert harp(double action pedal), which will include compositions by Zabel, Hasselmans, De Falla, and from the modern era, George Gershwin”
  District Mail, Somerset-West, South Africa




• “WA Mozart´s ´Concerto for Harp and Flute´ was not only a pleasure to listen to, but also to perceive, thanks to picturesque harp played so gracefully by Kobie.The interaction with the flute(Corvin) was excellent.Counter melodies, part playing, imitations and parallel movements were executed with delicate sensitivity”
  The Volksblad, Bloemfontein, South Africa ***
• “It was pure pleasure to hear Corvin Matei´s clear tone of the flute and
  the soothing harp sounds by Kobie du Plessis”The Burger, Cape Town, South Africa ***
• “One of the most inspiring instrumental combinations is that of harp and flute, as this recital of the Syrinx Duo amply demonstrated.Here was equality of both instruments, with empeccable ensemble”
  Cape Times, Cape Town, South Africa
• “The beautiful flute… and the sincere harp wonderfully interpreted
  the masterly music of Debussy”
  The Burger, Cape Town, South Africa ***
• “On 5 May will be in the Ontmoetings Church in Geleen a concert of the
  Vocal Ensemble Canto con Fueco with harpist Kobie du Plessis and violinist Ingrid Holleman. There are pieces chosen specifically for choir accompanied by harp, as well as music for violin and harp by Bachofen,Tournier, and Debusssy”
  The Trompetter, Geleen, The Netherlands ***
• “Harp Sounds Tomorrow in Church, Stellenbosch: Tomorrow night Kobie du Plessis gives a solo recital in the Church of Stellenbosch-Welgelegen.Kobie and her family lives in Barcelona, Spain, where she is broadening her repertoire of Spanish Harp music.Her concert programme includes works of Handel, Mozart,Saint-Saens, Debussy and Gershwin.”
  The Burger, Cape Town, South Africa ***
• “Concert: String Orchestra of the University of Cape Town under baton of Anmari vd Westhuizen, Baxter Concert Hall, Cape Town:
  It is a long time that the listener misses the harp in local concert halls.Kobie du Plessis performed regularly since the middle eighties to 2000 in the Western Cape, afterwards moving to the Netherlands (Now living in Spain).
  Her part was big yesterday evening.Only a small group of strings accompanied her in the JC Bach´s three- part Concerto no.6, for Harp, Violins and Cello´s.The … audience would have recognized “God save the Queen” in the sparkling Finale.
  Kobie and the strings continued with the Danse Sacrae et Profane by Debussy,….
  Was wonderfully executed by the Soloist and strings which were in excellent balance with each other”
  The Burger, Cape Town, South Africa ***
• (Afrikaans) In hierdie jaar vind ´n besondere uitvoering in Goodnow plaas.Vir die eerste keer in Goodnow se honderjarige bestaan word ´n harpuitvoering in die saal gehoor.Die soliste was Kobie du Plessis.
  (English Translation) In this year a special recital took place in the Goodnow.For the first time in its hundred years of existence,a harp recital was heard in the hall.The soloist was Kobie du Plessis.
  Hoofstuk 21, Die Musieklewe Van Wellington

*** freely translated into English

Below is a selection of light music that Kobie can include in her repertoire for your event …

Maria Elena(latin-american)

Tulips from Amsterdam
Song from ‘Moulin Rouge”
Smoke gets in your eyes
Domino
Amapola

Villavicencio- South American – A R Ortiz
Una Noche(Guarania) -A R Ortiz
Fascinating Rhythm – G Gershwin
But not for me – G Gershwin
Satin Doll – J Mercer

Embracable You – G Gershwin
Memories – A L Webber
All I ask of You – A L Webber
My cup runneth over – from ‘I do I do’ – H Schmidt
Bewitched – R Rodgers

C’Est Magnifique – C Porter
Try to Remember – H Schmidt
Danny Boy -Ireland
Greensleeves – England
My love is like a red red rose – England

Scarborough Fair – England
O’er the Sea to Skye- Scotland
Skater’s Waltz- E Waldteufel

Strauss Waltz Medley- J Strauss
May Song – Granados
Spanish Dance – Granados
Spanish Eyes
Morning has broken

Can’t help falling in love
Those were the day
Exodus- theme – E Gold
Love Story-Theme F Lai
Moon River – H Mancini

Romeo and Juliet- theme – N Rota
Cielito Lindo – Mexican folk song
Dark Eyes – Russian folk son
Santa Lucia – Italian folk song
Songs my Mother taught me -A Dvorak
Romance de Amor – Spanish folk song

Love’s old sweet song – J Molloy
Hava Naghila
Raindrops keep falling on my head
Love changes everything – A L Webber
Perhaps Love – J Denver