We have just enjoyed the most wonderful long weekend in the Barossa, spring in full flight but the highlight for me, a mini fest of Barossa, Baroque and Beyond; performed by a group of incredibly talented young musicians, here in the Valley. Young being relative as they are experienced professional musicians of such calibre and their camaraderie so obvious, many having known each other through their studies into their professional careers as members of orchestras, string quartets and solo artists; just so wonderful to witness on stage. The intimacy of the venue; the interaction of the musicians with the audience, 4 sets of music that held us spellbound with its quality and diversity and finishing with everyone on stage together. Kirsti Hahms, local lawyer and ex Australian Opera as the soprano, Grant Dickson of local Fermentasian fame on oboe, (food and music so go together), the beautiful Sharon Draper on cello, who during the evening played many pieces with the incredibly talented Slava and Leonard Grigoryan on guitars so integral to the whole night with Cameron Hill playing violin, Jackie Hansen on bassoon, Stephen King on viola, and Dean Newcombe on clarinet. The ebullient Jane Doyle brought out wonderful personal stories as she hosted the evening; Sadly I missed the afternoon concert with Josh van Konkelenberg playing the fabulously restored organ in the local Institute, which in itself is the most amazing story let alone from what I hear an incredible concert. Such an inspiring event pulled together by non other than Margaret Lehmann of 'she you can't say no to' fame that created so many memories of the Barossa Music Festival, and gave me all the more reason to love where we live!
