A medley of 5 well-known Afrikaans traditional folk songs:   Simon het 'n diamant,  Oukraalliedjie,  Aanstap Rooies,  Kinders moenie in die water mors nie,  Die kat kom weer.

Simon het 'n diamant:  Tells of Simon's "diamond" in Johannesburg.  Then it describes the wedding with ribbons flying and shoes creaking on the dance floor.  

Oukraalliedjie:  Oukraal is a camping site in South Africa.  The song is about singing together, with our instruments, about the water streams and the deer and never being bored at Oukraal.  

Aanstap Rooies: This relates to the pioneering years when families trekked with teams of Red Afrikaner Oxen.

Kinders moenie in die water mors nie:  Children, do not play in the water because it comes from far and the adults and elderly wants to drink it.  

Die kat kom weer:  A very non-sensical and comical song.  It tells the story of Jan Wilson who had a cat who didn't want to leave him.  He goes to the reverend for advice, but is told to let the cat stay.  So, they put the cat on a ship, loaded with 12000 tons, to Ceylon.  The ship sinks, all perish, except the cat.   Then he puts the cat on a airship, to send him to the man in the moon.  The airship bursts with a huge bang and they find the operator 10 miles away- dead.  But...the cat comes again.  A farmer swears he's going to shoot the cat, he waits him in with this old rifle, but the next day there are only skin and bones, and...the cat comes again.  
Last verse:  The cat sits on the stoep (veranda) and eats a bit of cheese.  There comes a Scotsman, making a big noise.  The cat blinks, surprised- the Scot plays Brittania!  And the cat dies from shock and fright.  But.  His spirit comes, it doesn't want to wait, it comes again the very next day.  He comes again, believe me, it's true.  The other day, morrow.........the cat was there again!

Afrikaans Folk Song Medley

This is a live recording from last night's performance by my ensemble which is made up of students aged 14-17 and myself.  2 Cellos, 2 guitars, 1 violin and 1 recorder.  This is a very special piece for our group, and I think it's becoming our signature piece...  

The lyrics to this beautiful piece: HalleluYah!  For the Lord God Almighty reigns.  Holy is the Lord God Almighty, Amen.

Agnus Dei

This is another recording from a recent concert with my ensemble (2 cellos, 2 guitars, 1 recorder, 1 violin).  This lovely renaissance piece was apparently written by King Henry VII when he was around 18 years old...

Pastime With Good Company

Also from our recent concert and in the spirit of the oncoming Christmas season, my ensemble's version of Oh holy night.

Oh Holy Night

Live recording from our concert "An evening in Paris", the "Pariser Tango".

Pariser Tango

Rejoice greatly from the Messiah, by GF Handel.

In the spirit of the festive season:  a live recording from a Christmas concert several years ago.  Listening to this now I hear so many imperfections, but we were young and just starting out.  I smile at the memory of us peeking out from backstage, looking at the packed hall, a bit nervous and very excited to have been invited to perform at this annual event.  

This is still one of my favourite arias to sing and the organist is still my favourite to work with.  

My apologies for all the extra noises- it was recorded from the audience on a mp3 recorder...

Rejoice Greatly - Handel

Little Road to Bethlehem - Michael Head

This beautiful lullabye is from the same Christmas Concert than the Rejoice aria.  Once again my apologies for all the extra noises.

Little Road To Bethlehem

I Dreamed A Dream - Les Miserables

From our concert 28 Nov 2013.

This lively song is attributed to King Henry VIII.

Instruments: 2 Cellos, 2 Guitars, Recorder, Violin.

Pastime With Good Company (complete)

From our concert, 28 November 2013.

A few young girls and myself sang the Afrikaans version of Silent Night. 

Stille Nag

The name says it all, doesn't it?  To me, life is filled with song.  I'm always singing, humming, or at the very least have a melody in my head, even if I don't utter a single audible sound- though if you watch carefully you will probably spy fingers or feet moving to a rhythm...
I'm a trained classical singer, it's what I do best, though I chose not to pursue a full time performance career.  I also play piano and cello.  
I love talking about music and recently found that I like writing about music too.  I love to introduce people to the wonder of classical music and see them evolve into passionate lovers thereof, it gives me great joy.  

A-Life-Of-Song

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