On 24 September, renowned musician Peter Martens, honoured with SAMA, Fiësta and Woordtrofee awards, will enchant audiences with his performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Six Suites for Solo Cello.
This musical event, titled ‘Bach Reloaded 2023,’ will feature a unique blend of classical music and premium wines from Montpellier de Tulbagh, with the picturesque Montpellier Wine Estate in Tulbagh as the backdrop.
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Peter Martens holds the distinction of being the only South African cellist to have commercially recorded all six of Bach’s Cello Suites. This upcoming performance marks his fourth appearance at the esteemed Montpellier Wine Estate, dating back to 2017.
The event will commence at 12pm with the first suite, accompanied by bubbly. Subsequently, each hour until 5pm will introduce another exquisite Bach suite paired with a wine at a different location on the estate.
The performance will end at 6pm, and attendees are invited to stay and enjoy a selection of canapés and the company of old and newfound friends.
Riëtte Eggink, a musicologist and brand ambassador for Montpellier wines, attended two events that inspired this concept.
The first inspiration came from the annual Pablo Casals Festival held in Prades, a charming mountain village in the French Pyrenees, where the Spanish-Catalan cellist Pablo Casals lived during his 23-year exile from the Franco regime. This festival, set in the historic Abbey of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa, surrounded by vineyards at the base of Canigou, left a lasting impression.
The second source of inspiration was the Cello Biennale held at the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ concert hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Every other year, this venue transforms into the global epicentre for cello music during the Cello Biennale. As part of this festival, ‘Bach & Breakfast’ is a daily highlight, featuring a different cellist performing a Bach Cello Suite each morning.
These stories inspired Lucas van Tonder, the proprietor of Montpellier Wine Estate and a dedicated music lover, to collaborate with Peter Martens, a well-known South African/Belgian cellist.
Together, they embraced the idea of staging the Bach Cello Suites within the iconic Montpellier de Tulbagh chapel, located amid the estate’s mountains and vineyards. This chapel is just one of the six locations that will host performances throughout the day.
While all venues will be easily accessible, some may be outdoors, weather permitting. Attendees are advised to wear comfortable shoes and consider bringing warm clothing, sunscreen and a hat.
Established in 1714 by two Frenchmen hailing from the city of Montpellier, Montpellier Wine Estate has a rich history.
It has earned acclaim for producing wines that reflect the integrity and character of the Tulbagh Valley terroir. Beyond its award-winning wines, Montpellier offers a tranquil retreat and an exquisite event venue.
Its charming hillside chapel, Cape Dutch homestead, reception facilities and expansive grounds with views of the surrounding mountains make it the ideal setting for unforgettable occasions.
Tickets for Bach Reloaded 2023 are priced at R600 per person, inclusive of wine and canapés. For reservations, you can contact 082 334 4334, and accommodation, dinner and breakfast packages are also available by emailing [email protected].
Details:
- Date: 24 September 2023 | 12pm
- Location: Montpellier Wine Estate | 2 Jonge Gezellen Road, Tulbagh, Western Cape
- Cost: R600
- Tickets: 082 334 4334
- Contact: [email protected]
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Picture: Montpellier de Tulbagh / Facebook