A Classic Week

I had the opportunity to go not once, but twice this week to the classic mansion Glenshiel in West Cliff to hear some classical music.

On Monday night, it was for a Peace concert featuring American concert pianist Mark Damisch who performed Bartok's Six Romanian Dances, a Beethoven Sonata, the Wanderer Fantasy by Schubert, as well as some contemporary classics and even some of his own compositions.

Mark's talented daughter performed as well

Mark has traveled the world, both before his successful law career and since 2000 after he retired, performing Peace concerts for the benefit of charity. He covers all his own costs so the proceeds are pure profit for the lucky receiving organization. Mark has played over a thousand concerts and has raised over a million dollars for charities all around the world.






This performance was for the benefit of The Order of St. John, the offices of which reside at Glenshiel. Glenshiel, one of Johannesburg's famous historic homes, was built for Sir William and Lady Dalrymple in 1908. A classic in its own right, the house and stables were designed by renowned architect Sir Herbert Baker.

Glenshiel is no stranger to musical entertainment. Sir William, a mining magnate and his actress wife, Isobel were well known for their entertaining, music and tennis parties. Many a well known personality, including Princess Alice of Athlone, stayed at Glenshiel.

The grounds of Glenshiel boasted one of the first swimming pools and tennis courts ever to be built in the city. Whilst the tennis court still remains, the swimming pool has since made way for a beautiful rose garden.

And Glenshiel is no stranger to charity either. When Sir William passed away in 1941, the estate, which originally comprised 27 acres, was divided into two portions. The late Major Gordon Haggie purchased the seven acre portion on which Glenshiel and the adjoining stables were situated. He immediately loaned Glenshiel to the Order of St John so that it could be used as an auxiliary military hospital. (The Order of St John operated eleven such hospitals during the Second World War). The hospital at Glenshiel was run under the supervision of Muriel Walton, a great friend of the Haggie Family, who was also the Superintendent-in-Chief Nursing for the Order of St John.

During its three years of operation as a hospital, Glenshiel provided a restful and tranquil home to almost 2 500 soldiers who were recovering from amputations as a result of injuries sustained during the war. Numerous ramps were built and iron bars were built to protect the teak paneling from damage. The drawing room formed the main ward and during the warm summer months, beds were placed on the verandah to accommodate more patients. Just like Downton Abbey did in the First World War!


During their stay, soldiers were encouraged to participate in occupational therapy making such items as leather writing cases and sheepskin slippers. Carpentry played an important role and was excellent exercise for those patients with injured hands and arms. Many of the patients went on to become expert carpenters who walked off with numerous prizes for works exhibited at the 1945 National Eisteddfod.

Glenshiel has a history as a fundraising venue as well. Polly Ann, a Tudor Style cottage, now situated in the grounds of Glenshiel, was just one of many similar cottages which were erected to form Olde England, a fundraising initiative during the World War II. At the end of the fundraising event, Major Haggie, with the assistance of the patients, re-erected Polly Ann along with the Wishing Well and Town Sign Post.




The St John flag was ceremoniously lowered at Glenshiel on March 26, 1946 and Glenshiel once again became a stately home. In 1950, on behalf of the Haggie Trust, Major Gordon Haggie, lent Glenshiel to the Order of St John in perpetuity.



 

The Stables, which originally housed the coach house, stables and garage, was converted, with the minimum amount of alteration into a residence and became the official home of the Haggie Family, who still reside there to this day. Glenshiel was declared a national monument in 1979.





On Saturday, we returned to Glenshiel for the Charl du Plessis Trio who performed their musical collaboration called "baroque swing." The Charl du Plessis Trio is one of the most versatile and respected crossover ensembles in South Africa. The diverse style of music this ensemble performs ranges from Baroque, Latin, Swing, Classical to Funk and sets them apart from other instrumental groups. The trio consists of Steinway Artist Charl du Plessis (piano), Werner Spies (bass) and Hugo Radyn (drums).

 

Jay Gould's mansion Lyndhurst

Both performances at Glenshiel reminded me so much of the fabulous summer concerts we would attend annually at the mansions and stately homes of the golden age all around New York. Jazz at Lyndhurst in Tarrytown. Flamenco in the courtyard at Caramoor in Katonah. A chamber music quartet on the grounds of Old Westbury on Long Island. Usually held outdoors in a beautiful garden with fireflies and the smell of jasmine in the air, these were magical nights.

In New York it was summer but in South Africa it is a midwinter's night dream.