Another musical weekend, a week ago already!
It began with the regular choir practice on Friday night, this time for an Evensong in the Old Catholic Church in The Hague.
On Saturday evening I went to a recital/concert in an unusual place, Steeckershil in Bleskensgraaf. Friends of friends always dreamt of having their own concert hall. After they retired, they bought and old farmhouse on a river in a small, typically Dutch village. The farmhouse has a thatched roof and inside it is a maze of rooms and stairs and steps. Probably because formerly the farmhouse was shared by cattle and people. The friends converted the hayloft into a beautiful concert hall which can take 80 -100 people under the old oak beams. There are two grand pianos in the loft plus an electronic organ. Here young and talented musicians who have often just passed their finals at the conservatory get a chance to perform. The farm has beautiful grounds, with a kitchen garden, an ornamental garden and fruit trees. It slopes down to the meandering river. All of the garden, and all the rooms in the house are open to the audience on the evening of a concert. Unfortunately on Saturday the weather was somewhat disappointing for this time of year, and so we could not enjoy our tea, coffee and cakes outside in the garden, but had them in the big living room at the back of the house, full of comfortable settees and chairs and with a view of the river and the garden. At 8 o'clock we went up the stairs for the concert. There is even a gallery, and although a bit scary to go there, the gallery affords a splendid view of the musicians. This time two young Italians, Emilio Zenodocchio flute and Alessandro Soccorsi piano, played for us. On top of being good musicians, they were very attractive too! Some have it all. It is nice to be so near the podium. There was a short introduction to each part of the programme, to the music and the composers, which made the evening even more enjoyable. I loved the programme, but then I have always been partial to the flute and tried my hand – or rather mouth – at it years ago.
During the interval there is always a buffet with finger-food, cheese and biscuits, wine, beer and soft drinks. By that time it seemed to get a bit warmer outside, so some of us enjoyed our nibbles and drinks there. The evening was mild, and as it was almost the longest day, the sky was still very light.
This is the programme:
1. S.Prokofiev (1891-1953), Sonata for flute and piano Op. 94 (1943)
2. J.S.Bach (1685-1750), Partita for flute and piano in a BWV 1013
And after the interval:
3. F.Liszt (1811-1886), Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata (piano solo)
4. C.Reinecke (1824-1910), Sonata 'Undine' Op.167 (flute and piano)
The concert is always followed by another buffet, now with fresh fruit salad and several other additions. The musicians mingle with the audience and take part in the conversation. They are charming and very gifted young men, who speak excellent English. We all hope they will be successful in their careers.
Our hostess is a dedicated cook, and her excellent preserves, jams, jellies and chutneys are for sale. It is difficult to resist the temptation and not to go home with one or more jars.
The couple owning the farmhouse-cum-concert-hall don't make a profit. They don't run a commercial institution, but try to cope with the support of sponsors and the contributions of "friends" of the foundation.
When I drive back with my friend to Rotterdam where I left my car, we deeply inhale the smell of mown grass and herbs. It is midsummer and although it is 11 o'clock the sky is still very light. It is the sort of light in which colour seems to have faded and the world looks like an old-fashioned black and white photograph, two-dimensional.
Fortunately I do not have to get up early the next morning, as Evensong is not till 5 o'clock in the afternoon. It is Open Church Day in many cities, also in The Hague. As we will be joined by the Anglican choir from Rotterdam, we start the practice at 3 o'clock. Between the practice and the service there is time for a drink and a variety of cakes provided by several choir members and supporters.
It is a surprisingly warm summer's day, and everybody seems to be outside enjoying it. Nevertheless the church is pretty full during the service. We sing the Tallis Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, which I like. The anthem is absolutely beautifully sung. A pity that the organ is at the opposite end of the choir, so that except for the hymns, we sing everything a capella. But at least we have the organ in full view.
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