Youngest Brother of André Rieu Created a Children's Book, "Marie" Jean Philippe, " I did not want to live like André any more" ...
After having traveled with his brother for six years, Jean-Philippe Rieu decided to continue on his own. André's youngest brother (52) wanted to spend more time with his three children. "I wasn't even a father from a distance any more, I was just distance and not a father ... I did not want to go on like that".
Jean-Philippe lives in Eijsden, a town near Maastricht, close to the Belgian border. He created his own show "Azur, fantasies with passion", with which he is touring around in theaters. In it he plays his own compositions while making magic with light, images, words and poems. My wife Magda convinced me to make my own performances. I always said that I'd never give concerts myself, but now I am in the spotlight ...
Rieu has also created a children's book about a fairy named "Marie" with an added DVD. It is about dreams and pure friendship. The book arose out of the stories he used to tell his children at bedtime when they were little. Jean Paul (17), Roos (14) and Jerom (12). The name Marie was chosen for the book because all three of his children have Marie as a middle name.
Rieu talks about his (and André's) mother,"She is 89 years old, lives very close by and we see her often ... the children prefer to go to her home to study in a quiet atmosphere for their exams. She is very alert, still lives on her own, and last summer she drove by herself in her own car all the way to our house in France."
Of his family, Jean-Philippe says, we consisted of six children, of which four of us became musicians.
In speaking of his work with his brother André, Jean-Philippe says, "it was a wonderful time. I directed 12 DVDs and I am very proud of my brother. I decided to stop because I missed my children so much. He and I don't have contact very often, for we both are very busy. André did not yet know about the release of my book. I decided to tell him after my presentation. It is a good book for his grandchildren now ...
Thank you to Ineke for translating and sending this to us.
5 comments:
Aren't the boys in the Rieu family real romantics? I specially was thrilled to read something about Andre's mother. Andre has talked about his father, but never about his mother. I am happy she has such a good condition on her age.
Love,
Ineke.
I've always wondered about his mother, too. About all we've heard about her so far is that she hollered at Andre to stop dreaming & practice his scales ;-). What a good mother; and we have the benefit of her skills today! I'm glad to hear that she is so robust & doing well.
Imagine how much pride and happiness "Mother Rieu" has as she witnessed the success of her children, and her grandchildren, and the arrival of the great grandchildren! On the other hand, they should be proud that she's still capable to do so much at 89.
Marie sounds like a good book even for adults!
I always had the idea that Andre was close to his mother. I have seen pictures of him...mother and son while growing up on background films. Summers in France and traveling in Venice, etc. Interviews by Ivo Niehe (sp?) and in some of the family 'movies' that his father filmed.
I remember reading that an older woman attended a Vrijthof concert with Marc and it was assumed she was Andre's mother. And didn't I hear that she still rides a bicycle to purchase her groceries? Andre's grandmother lived to be past 100 years. Sounds like the senior Mrs. Rieu inherited those genes and hopefully Andre did also!!
Laurie
This is wonderful, I have watery eyes and this interview brings us closer to the Rieu Clan and now the matriach. Andre and siblings may have grown up in a strict musical family but it seems it made them fine human beings as they are, talented and giving so much to the world. Their Mother did a fine job. Much thanks for posting this article.
Martha
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