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Apr 30, 2013

The signing of the official Abdication document today.

The New King of The Netherlands!

Apr 29, 2013

André Rieu Waltzing at The King's Ball


Soundcheck today Mirusia's Twitter. "Notice my Orange pants and André's Orange Blazer!"
Waltzing at The King’s Ball
Tomorrow evening on the Museum square in Amsterdam, André Rieu will pay homage to the new King Willem-Alexander with his "Coronation Waltz." "I am quite nervous, because it is a huge honor to close the festivities in the Capital City." 
The Limburger: April 29 by Peter van de Berg - The chance that the "Coronation Waltz" of André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra will be sung along tomorrow evening on the Museum Square in Amsterdam, in contrast to the official "King’s Song" by John Ewbank, will be extremely great. The composition in reality is instrumental, but the lyrics of the pieces used are virtually known by everyone. This past week André Rieu has been rehearsing with his orchestra quite a lot in his studio in Maastricht, for the very important performance in the Capital City. In the meantime he has also experienced the commotion about the especially composed song by John Ewbank. "At this moment there are very more important issues in the Netherlands to be dealt with than the controversy about this song. I would have done it differently, but that is a question of taste. John Ewbank received an assignment, and due to that his hands were tied. And artists do not like that. That’s why I understand his reaction very well." 
Photo from Bela's Facebook Today
Rieu’s "Coronation Waltz" starts off very stately, but quickly changes happily into well known melodies such as "Orange on High" and Piet Hein and the silver fleet. It would be very odd if the masses on the Museum Square, with several alcoholic beverages behind their molars, would not automatically raise their arms in the air during the King’s Ball. "I immediately decided to keep it simple with melodies everyone knows. That is my way of doing things. It has to become a party. But there will probably also be some emotional moments. It would not surprise me if occasionally a tear was shed." Rieu addresses the song "Time to Say Goodbye" which is portrayed as a symbol to bid farewell to Queen Beatrix. During it, the concert images which were recorded earlier during the Royal Inauguration will be projected on the big screens. Didn’t he want to present during the ceremonies in the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)? "Tuesday I am going to concentrate on the performance. And I always do that in the same manner by resting. And in between we are busy with the actual images. There is plenty to do." That André Rieu was invited by Mayor Eberhard van der Laan to close the festivities on the Museum Square, was for him an enormous honor. And in the meantime the stand-alone violinist from Maastricht has been performing concerts all over the world. "I am proud that I am allowed to perform against the backdrops of the Concert building and the Rijksmuseum. History is being formed on a very special day. And that is something you do not experience every day."
It was first the intention that Rieu would erect
Photo from Carla's Facebook Today
his Greek Temple stage (the stage he always uses at his Vrijthof concerts) in Amsterdam. "That actually never happened. Everything had to be donated and that was just not possible. But a nice solution arose with a nicely decorated stage where you see the Rijksmuseum as a backdrop."

Today the violinist will personally meet the Royal Couple. He is really looking forward to that. "We are not allowed to rehearse in the evening. The official banquette is then taking place in the Rijksmuseum. I propose they open a window. First we will the "Wilhelmus" (National Anthem). But none of that is allowed. I will meet Willem-Alexander and Maxima in the afternoon. I am still going to ask it again." Rieu understand that there are many rules associated with the event. A few years ago when he performed for Queen Beatrix in the Valkenburg caves, it was much the same. "There was controversy whether we could play the Limburg Anthem for the Queen or not. I did it anyway and she sung happily along. Music relaxes people."
View from stage on Vincenzo's FB Today
Although the NOS (Dutch TV) will be reporting the festivities the entire day, André Rieu’s King’s Ball will not be aired live. The concert will be aired on Nederland 1 after midnight on TV, following the program of Pauw and Witteman. (Talk-show hosts) "The NOS indicated they would bring lots of equipment, 7 cameras in all. I said: "We’ll record everything ourselves then." So we’ll bring in our own crew, who has access to 27 cameras in order to record everything that will take place on the Museum Square." In any case, Rieu will be ready. "I am quite nervous. You have to experience it. Would the Royal couple attend unannounced? I do not think so. That would create many problems with security. But if that would really happen, it would of course be totally insane." 
The nation Post Code lottery organized the events on the Museum Square in Amsterdam. There are approximately 3000 seats and 5000 standing places available. Entrance fee is 10 Euros with the proceeds going to a good cause. Tickets are still available.
Thank you to John for this and Translating it

Apr 28, 2013

Queens Day Netherlands/André Rieu Museum Square


QUEENS DAY AND ROYAL INAUGURATION, AMSTERDAM
The official ceremonies will take place around the Dam Square. At 10AM, the current Queen Beatrix will sign a document of resignation at the Royal PalaceWith this, Willem-Alexander is the new King. Shortly after this (around 10.30 AM), the new King and his family will address the crowds on the Dam Square from the Balcony of The Royal Palace on Dam Square.
READ ABOUT DAM SQUARE ON WIKIPEDIA

DAM SQUARE LIVE WEBCAM
Text Under Webcam Translated to English
HD PTZ camera Amsterdam Dam, after 15 sec. you can choose a different camera position:
Overview | Pedestrian crossing Madame Tussauds | Entrance to Palace | Balcony on Palace
New Church | Dam Monument [zoom] | Dam monument back | Beehive
Majestic | Europub | Junction Cafe black | Damstraat

INAUGURATION OF KING WILLEM-ALEXANDER 
STREAMED LIVE ON APRIL 30
(Now Showing Countdown to Events)
Amsterdam Schedule of Events Translated to English
A 14-hour live-stream of the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander and festivities in Amsterdam.
10:00 AM - Drawing the instrument of Abdication
10: 30 AM-Balcony scene with Princess Beatrix and the new King and his family
2:00 PM - Inauguration in the new Church
7: 30 PM - King song from Ahoy in Rotterdam and on the river IJ, followed by the King on the IJ
9:30 PM - Concert André Rieu on the Museumplein

I have posted these links for those interested in the events on Tuesday, including André's appearance ~ Enjoy!

André Rieu The Highlight of My Career

André Rieu: April 30th The Highlight in My Career
THE HAGUE - de Gelderlander April 26: The King's Ball is imminent and André van Duin, André Rieu and Martijn Fischer (in his role as André Hazes) have a lot in store for the royal couple. Rieu looks on ahead for BuzzR. 
"We are going to give a two-hour concert, which is completely adapted to the events of that day. First of course we play the "Wilhelmus" our national anthem. I think that's a wonderful composition, which I would like to perform very often so I like to take advantage of the opportunity,'' says the composer.
"In addition to that we also play of course the most beautiful waltz ever written for a prince, the truly majestic Kaiser waltz by Johann Strauss. As a tribute to our Queen Beatrix's we will play "Time to Say Goodbye." And especially for our future Queen Máxima, "Do not Cry for me Argentina." These last two songs will be sung by soprano Mirusia Louwerse, who will fly over especially from Australia. And then it will become a large celebration of recognition, with waltzes, happy marches, opera medleys ... wonderful, I look forward to it all!'' he continues.
An Important Day
Rieu already knows that April 30 will be the highlight for him. "It is an important day for the Netherlands, the inauguration of a king is a historic event, and that I am allowed to perform at such a special occasion touches me very deeply. It will be a highlight in my career, and also for my orchestra of course." 
The violinist is also looking forward with anticipation towards the reign of Willem-Alexander. '' It will be very different than what we were used to, I guess. Primarily since we now will have a king and a queen. Something really special. I'm a romantic, which is known, and it is noticeable by everything on our stage, so a royal couple really speaks to my imagination. 
"And as a romantic who prefers performing on the Vrijthof, André will need some time to adjust to the Museumplein." Every year at our summer concerts I call out that the Vrijthof is the most beautiful square in the Netherlands, but who knows ... I might need to rethink my opinion. No, just kidding. The Museumplein is especially very large, so it's nice that many people will be able to come on that day, but the Vrijthof is of course much more intimate, with those beautiful medieval churches on one side, and the sociable terraces all around."
Thanks to Ineke for sending this and John Translating it. 

Apr 26, 2013

André Rieu Discusses Sports

The Limburger April 24, 2013: In this section of the news paper a famous sports follower is allowed to shed light on current developments. He is all about everything and anything involved in the field of sports. He in turn has passed the baton on to someone who can give his views next week. But today André Rieu.
The Relay 
ANDRÉ RIEU 
Violinist and Orchestra Leader
You have received the relay baton from René Meulensteen, assistant coach of Manchester United. Manager Alex Ferguson, who together with United grabbed the Premier League title on Monday, raves about your music. Don’t you think it is about time for a concert in "Old Trafford" commonly known as the "Theater of Dreams"?
"Who knows what all will still happen in England. In December we completed a totally sold out concert tour throughout England and Ireland. Manchester was one of the cities on the tour. In December we will return, and again the tour is almost sold out again. So, who knows whether Old Trafford is a good idea or not."
Your popularity rose enormously after you played the "Second Waltz" at the Ajax-Bavaria Munich game in 1995, the year in which the Amsterdam team won the Champions League. Is Ajax’s title in danger this year?
"Back then Ajax was very important to me. I played the "Second Waltz" during the rest period of that match. And since Ajax was in the lead with a 2-0 score, the entire stadium sang deliriously along and waved flags with joy. These images are still seen all over the world. And yes, they will win the title again."  
You and your orchestra have just returned from Brazil. Have you noticed that the people there are already under the spell of impending World Cup Soccer?
There is no nation that is so involved with soccer as the Brazilians. They are really soccer fanatics. In Rio de Janeiro I called out the four names of the city’s soccer clubs to see which club would receive the loudest applause. In Rio Flamingo won hands down. I did the same in Sao Paulo and there Corinthians won. It was nice to be able to do that every evening. The audience who still had tears in their eyes from listening to the "Ave Maria", beautifully sung by our wonderful soprano Kimmie Skote from South Africa, jumped the next second on their chairs in order to cheer for their beloved soccer club. Just because I called out that club’s name. Wonderful."
And will they give team "Orange" a chance at the World Cup?
"They do not speak about team "Orange" at all. Only about Brazilian soccer."
Do you during you travels follow the performances of MVV (Maastricht Soccer Club), the club from your hometown?
"I think that MVV does alright. As long as they work out and practice a lot, and focus. Then everything will fall into place."
The play-offs threaten to become a small Limburg championship. MVV, Fortuna Sittard, VVV and RODA JC will more than likely become the four in the play-offs. Who will be victorious?
"All four."
Do you still watch bicycle races after the deluge of doping stories?
"Occasionally I watch. Yes. Unfortunately I do not have an abundance of time."
In the Spring classics, the leading Dutch cyclists have not played a major in many years. And not again this year. Is the Netherlands still a cycling country?"
"Of Course. It will happen again. Shortly there will be a wave of young talents, who will not want to relinquish anything. Just believe me."
Who would be more popular in Gemany? Sebastian Vettel, three time world champion Formula 1, and last weekend’s winner of Bahrein’s Grand Prix, or the "King of the Waltz" André Rieu?
"Haha, Vettel in car sports and I in music, I think. I like to watch Formula 1. If I was not a violinist, racing would appeal to me. Marjorie, my wife, is happy I am a violinist."
Back to soccer: would you be willing to play the roof off the Geusselt (Maastricht’s Soccer Stadium), should MVV be able to fill the stadium?"
"Seems like an exciting prospect! When will it take place? I’ll mark it in my calendar."
In closing, to whom will you pass the baton on?
"I would very much like to pass the baton on to my personal trainer, Ruud Gransier. He has helped to ensure that I returned to tip-top condition. The last years I had neglected my body and did not work out anymore. No time for working out, that does not happen again. I plan my schedule around my workout, and not the other way around. According to Ruud, this profession is also like a top sport. You need assistance with that. And according to me, he is the best." By Roel Wiche
Thanks To John for this and Translating it

Apr 22, 2013


From Today's Courier Mail Magazine
Mirusia is off to sing for the King: I am so grateful for the opportunity that André Rieu has given me, to sing at the coronation of the new King Willem Alexander in Amsterdam on Tuesday. (Taken from Mirusia's Facebook Page) 

Apr 20, 2013

André Rieu on Coffee Time (English Subtitles)


Koffietijd ... Coffee Time
RTL 4 Morning Program of April 4th 2013. 
The interviewer meets with André on the Museum Square in Amsterdam.
 Click HERE To Watch The Video With ENGLISH Subtitles.

Apr 10, 2013

André Rieu Owns His Own Village in Maastricht



André Rieu Owns His Own Little Village
Castle in the scaffolds
April 7, 2013-By Doris Zonneveld: In the meantime André Rieu has amassed his own little district in Maastricht. The world renowned violinist owns no less than 34 properties, one of which is the castle "Huis de Torentjes", six buildings in close proximity to the castle and numerous parcels of land. His castle is being renovated. And that could bring surprises since André’s neighbor once found a real treasure in the cellar.
André owns at least 34 properties in Maastricht
We can justifiably speak about a small real estate empire on the southern slopes of the Saint Peter’s hill in Maastricht. Andre Rieu, who sold 30 million albums and DVD worldwide, has over the years acquired his own little neighborhood. In the center of that, his own mansion, the castle "Huis, de Torentjes." besides the castle he also owns six structures in the near vicinity. One of the structures was previously the the residence of the castle’s caretaker, adorned with  beautiful stairs. 
Rieu also built a studio elsewhere, while another structure was being demolished, but recently has been rebuilt. Possibilities are that son Pierre, the vice-president of Rieu Productions, is living there. For support and as a mainstay André prefers to have him in the neighborhood, just like his other son Marc. He is an artist and that is not exactly earning him a fortune, but reported he lives in the white villa at the base of the castle for free. (Marc has since moved away to another city) In that manner, Marc and Pierre share in the wealth of their parents. André Rieu owns no less than 23 private properties in Maastricht and another 11 designated as commercial, including large land parcels. Thus the violinist owns a large part of his beloved Limburg town where he was born.
Castle "Huis de Torentjes" dates back to 1526, requires a lot of maintenance and that is the reason why the violinist is currently having it totally renovated. The entire castle, up to and including the square tower on the roof is encased in scaffolding, and everyone is very busy, trying to have everything finished before the violinist opens its door this summer to the public. A special Rieu concert arrangement could be purchased for 789 Euros per person, which included a visit to the castle.
It is obvious that André is trying to impress his guests and that he wants his castle to be ready to perfection. Since Rieu’s castle is very old, it may contain some hidden treasures. One of André’s neighbors found a real treasure some years ago underneath the basement stairs. It consisted of a Cologne jar containing 346 golden and 1611 silver coins from a bygone time. And with sewer works on André’s street, they once found an underground limestone wall, a drainage gutter, stone construction elements and two fragments of a gravestone dating back to 1734. They also found rail track remains and a small tunnel for a rail track. It seems that the part of the Saint Peters hill where Rieu now resides was at one time a part of an early sand stone pit. There could even be more hidden treasures in the violinist’s castle or on his properties which these renovations might bring to light.
This summer André will conduct seven concerts on the Vrijthof in Maastricht for the ninth time in a row. Rieu’s tour schedule is filled to the brim. Prior to his Vrijthof series he will be performing in Brazil, Denmark, Chile and Argentina. After his Maastricht concerts he will depart for Mexico, Australia, Turkey and Ireland, with the 2013 concert tour ending in England. For Christmas, he is just like every year, home, but even before the 1st of January there are already concerts scheduled for Germany, followed by Poland, Switzerland and Austria. Everything up until May 2014 has already been confirmed, and then to think that Rieu only plays in the largest stadiums. 
In 2012 half a million people attended a total of 99 concerts by Rieu and his orchestra, which earned him 40 million Euros. Thus he ended up in tenth place of the most money making tours of 2012, a list compiled by the leading American music magazine "Billboard." Rieu remained ahead of world stars like Justin Bieber, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Barbara Streisand.
Rieu’s packed full tour schedule however can also have a downside, because in 2012 he experienced a puzzling phenomenon because he was overworked. He was dealing with a stubborn virus infection on his equilibrium which caused dizziness attacks. He was literally unable to appear on stage. As his son Pierre said: "He does not dare to go on stage." Because of his weakened resistance, he initially was not able to overcome this virus, resulting in cancelled concerts worldwide. In the meantime he has found a way to release his stresses and he seems to be as fit as before. All his hard work is now finally earning him some money. A few years ago, he was on the brink of bankruptcy. That was due to the out of control high costs overrun, and as compared with the tens of millions in revenue, there are also tens of millions in expenses. He also placed his very expensive Stradivarius violin up for collateral. 
 "The public probably did not realize how bad it was" he said later when speaking about this. In 2011 there was again a profit of over 3 million Euros.
Thanks to Ineke for sending this and John Translating it for us.

Apr 8, 2013

André Rieu in Australia May 2013

André Rieu To Visit Australia in May

April 9, 2013: Andre Rieu is heading Down Under for a week-long promotional tour to coincide with Mother's Day.The classical violinist will visit Sydney and Melbourne in May to promote his new album Mother and Child and new DVD Live in Brazil, it was announced on Tuesday. 
Fans will have the chance to meet the "King of the Waltz" at the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney between 10am to 12 noon on Saturday, May 11. 
Rieu will bring his John Strauss Orchestra to Australia in October for And The Waltz Goes On national concert tour.

Apr 7, 2013

Queens Day 2013 on The Vrijthof

Changing of The Throne Viewable Via Screen on The Vrijthof

The changing of the Throne in Amsterdam can directly be followed in Maastricht via a big screen on the VrijthofIt is one of the many activities that the Committee "Orange" has planned for April 30th, in Maastricht.

After the changing of the throne the "Grameer" (the largest bell of Saint Servaas Basilica) will ring and can be 
heard throughout the inner city. City Carillon player Frank Steijns will play the Coronation Waltz on the town hall's carillon and a there will be a flag parade on the Vrijthof. The City Park will host aFree Market.

Queens Day will end with a Big Fireworks display above the River Maas.
Thank You to John for the Translation

ROYAL RIEU IN TEARS


King’s Waltz For The First King’s Day 
ROYAL RIEU IN TEARS

The Telegraaf, Privé by Wilma Nanninga: The tears flow over André Rieu’s bespectacled face. The sounds of his majestically orchestrated King’s Waltz are bringing him to tears. And the maestro of the violin is also being touched by the voice of the Dutch-Australian soprano Mirusia Louwerse, who sang "Don’t Cry for me Argentina" especially for princess Maxima. He sobs gently when playing his CD on his laptop while his orchestra plays "You’ll Never Walk Alone" later intended for Willem-Alexander. "I believe in a Monarchy." When I am in a Republic, I always say: "Elect a Queen, just like we did. Many of your problems would be solved. And I truly believe that."


André shows his sensitive face. It is the sensitive and intimate side of the otherwise happy Limburg concert master. The man who travels the entire world with an orchestra of at least fifty members has just returned from Canada, and is letting us listen to the specifically created music for the abdication.

On April 30, "Royal Rieu" will be performing on the Amsterdam Museum Square. He rubs his emotions from his eyes. "On stage I am in charge and I cannot afford such a misty look. But music really does that to me. Right now I am just letting it happen." The master violinist removed his shoes, and in a tailor’s style is sitting on top of a sleeping bag clad small couch in his dressing room, just prior to a performance for a charitable event. The lights in the star’s dressing room in the Beatrix Theater in Utrecht have been lowered. The atmosphere is intimate. "This is one of the three identical small couches" he says smilingly in an effort to change the mood. "Each one is in a different part of the world. They follow me because prior to a concert and right after dinner, I always take a nap in a familiar place. That way I can always feel at home. It is necessary. I always think about my health. Together with my son Pierre, we work out three times a week with weights. And then when my personal trainer comes by we move the cars out of the garage and we do our workout." 

André is not only emotionally affected by music, he still has problems with jet-lag after a long flight from Canada. On top of that and after a meeting with his financial advisors earlier this morning, he also has the responsibilities of his gigantic orchestra resting on his shoulders. "Everything is still running fine. Our company is healthy. But the responsibility for my fifty or so orchestra members sometimes weighs heavier than at other times. That depends on the frame of mind. We did very well in Canada. And the American tour went well, although I had hoped to earn more. The American market is always difficult, and I lost a lot to the concert organizers."

CRYING
"On the other side though, I was with David Foster a big promoter in Los Angeles and he told me that even the huge world stars in the region are changing over to smaller venues, simply because they cannot fill them. So there too, it is crying in the towels with the entertainment industries. And the audiences turn every dollar over twice. This silly Limburger is jealousy looked upon. We still fill huge stadiums with people who travel over 600 miles just to see our orchestra live. That is something to be proud of. The glass is therefore half full, and not half empty."

André stops for a minute and then explains: "The sales for our concerts in South America have slowed considerably. Because of that we did not perform for three months. But of course I continued to pay everyone’s salary. There are no less than thirteen couples in our orchestra. Entire families depend on their earnings. Everyone has a mortgage. That I continue to pay salaries is because I feel that it is necessary. With soap series on TV, the actors I believe have a yearly contract, and every now and then they receive unemployment, to prevent a permanent state of employment. I am old fashioned. I always want the best around me. So I continue to pay them, even though there is no work."

André van Duin enters the dressing room. He heard us talking about his namesake’s orchestra. "Great professionals. As Mr. Wijdbeens I participated a couple of times on the Vrijthof in Maastricht. (John’s note: To my knowledge, André van Duin has never performed on the Vrijthof with André, but he did perform with him in the Arena in Amsterdam) There I put André to the side and then conducted. The entire orchestra played effortless higher or lower notes. It was crazy. I tried that once with the Metropolitan Orchestra, but with those people it did not go as easily. And now we are going to do that again on the Museum Square. We will be there together, the two Andrés, along with Martijn Fischer who unprecedentedly plays André Hazes in the musical "She believes in Me." So, what will we be doing? Of course "Oranje Boven" (Orange on high), a Hazes-medley and André’s King’s Waltz.

Helicopter
André Rieu says, "I want to play that one at the beginning. When the royal helicopter takes off from Java Island. It is a medley of patriotic songs. It will erupt. First "In naam van Oranje doe open de Poort" (In the name of Orange, open the gate) then softly with piccolos "Oranje Boven" (Orange on High), then the Zilvervloot (Silver fleet) on the bagpipe." He starts the CD in his laptop again. In no time at all two Andrés are conducting in the dressing room.

The Limburg violin master composed the King’s Waltz spontaneously right after the British Royal House had requested a "Coronation Waltz". "Buckingham Palace" called due to the upcoming jubilee of Queen Elizabeth. I composed something very special for that. For those specialties I always work together with my first violinist Frank Steijns. When we heard this about Willem-Alexander, we immediately continued the effort. Next week we’ll meet with Amsterdam Mayor Eberhard van der Laan about the precise sequence of things to follow. The way it stands right now we are slated for a one and a half hour program."

When André van Duin returned to his own dressing room, the concert master reflects back on his finances again. In 2010 when André was first disabled due to a virus infection on his equilibrium, it caused him to come close to the financial abyss: "I was even willing to sell my Stradivarius. That currently is not necessary. I have been able to get caught up in my finances, but still have not had the time to build new and large reserves. So then I really feel the pinch when I have to pay salaries for three months while at that time I am not earning any monies directly." André Rieu smiles: "Will my new CD help us there? Universal Record Company is continually becoming happier with us. Every year we release a new CD and the sales are phenomenal. Furthermore, for the last ten years we have been in the top ten of most charts for the most selling artists in the world."

"My wife Marjorie and I do not live a jet-setters life. We do not wear expensive jewelry or clothing. The only thing I afforded myself was an expensive Mercedes. Because I love to drive. I also like to watch formula-1 races. I was reading about a Mercedes that could do 224 mph. I bought that one but it seems they had installed a limiter on it. If I wanted to remove that, I needed to follow a course and pay 4000 Euros. It drove me crazy." ... He grins, "After some proper negotiations, it has been removed. You do not notice anything special on the car, and I can use the car to just go shopping with Marjorie to buy sugar or something. But I did take the car up to 186 mph on the German Autobahn. That was insane.!" Reflecting back: "Indeed, those are  the only moments in my life when I do not listen to music. Only the music of the engine."


Thank you to Ineke for sending this and John Translating it.

Apr 5, 2013

André Rieu With The Jostiband on Stage in Maastricht!


André Rieu With The Jostiband on Stage
April 5-The Limburger: André Rieu surprised the Jostiband with an invitation to perform together with him on the Vrijthof in Maastricht. That was the reason for the world renowned violinist's visit to the rehearsal of the band. This is what the Jostiband revealed via twitter. André Rieu performs traditionally with his Johann Strauss orchestra in his hometown of Maastricht, this time in June and July. The precise day and how many times the Jostiband will perform is not yet known.
Thanks to John for this and the Translation 

André Rieu Interview ( English Translation) on Kings Waltz


John has translated the Interview André did with Giel Beelen about his new CD and King's Waltz so that we all can know what André is saying in it. It was long and not an easy task, so a special THANK YOU to John!

The New Anthem

Giel: The real news is being written by the man who is opposite from me. André Rieu, good morning.
André: Hallo Giel
Giel: I feel honored that I am allowed to ...the new national anthem.
André: the new national anthem.
Giel: Yes, it is so. I am going to make it the highlight of our talk. I am going to delay that a little. First I would like to talk about new things with which you are busy. Then last time we spoke, we talked about Limburg and I have never received so many international reactions in my mailbox as then. Really, when I was speaking with you on the phone, we were connected to your studio, your castle and then there was for the first time the sound of Jermain Jackson, and you’ve noticed it too, whenever you are working with the Jackson, than pfffd.
Andre: Yep
Giel: Unbelievable reactions.
André: Really? It was extremely nice to write that in.
Giel: And when will that be released?
André: Well, we are going to work with him on the Vrijthof, and then afterward there might be a plan for a CD named “André Rieu and friends” and he will be part of that.
Giel: First a little piece of music. I keep interrupting you, but not with Jermain Jackson. Still acceptable in the Netherlands, “Autumn leaves”
André: Yes
Giel: The summer will be here shortly, but we can also listen to other things, in a matter of speaking ...
The man with the hammer, “Triny Lopez!!!!” Does he still perform?
André: Absolutely, he’s as fit as a puppy. Really!!
Giel: And how did you make contact with him?
André: I do not know, Jermain was there and suddenly someone said: “What do you think about Triny Lopez
André?" I said “Of course, bring him on” and three days later he was here.
Giel: Fantastic!! That’s the way to make friends!!
André: Can you see us jumping already?
Giel: Precisely … and now totally!!! That is going to be quite an evening on the Vrijthof.
André: And when I play the sun shines.
Giel: When you play the sun shines ...But that is for your orchestra ...which orchestra is this?
André: My orchestra, they can do it all!!
Giel: That is different, that takes some getting used to.
André: Yes, but they adjust right away ...
Giel: The brass section must have been happy?
André: Yes they were, and also the percussionists …
Giel: OK, that is musses for the future, André Rieu and Friends of course … and now we are ... at the end of the month
André: 30 April
Giel: 30 April, and you will almost go crazy, the amount of information regarding this date and how many King’s songs there are, holy
André: Is that a fact? I did not know that
Giel: Yes, I spoke with Ilse yesterday and there is a song by Johnny Eubank, it’s a piano song which Guus Meeuweson is working on, and it will become a sort of united artists, and the real “cool” individual will not participate, but what you produced, or what you are going to produce is simply a new national Anthem…..
André: Yes….it happened like this. The British asked if I would compose a waltz for their Queen, which we did.
Giel: You are doing that too?
André: yes
Giel: traitor …
André: Traitor!?!? Come on now, I travel the entire world!
Giel: Yes, I know … that is true
André: So we thought, let’s do a Waltz for Willem-Alexander and Maxima
Giel: And they asked you to do that?
André: No ... that was not asked at all
Giel: They did not ask you at all??
André: No they did not ask that at all … we just did it ... just like that.
Giel: What a sweetheart you are 
André: I just composed it, nothing more, and I just sent it on and the record company said WHOOOOOH
Giel: Wait a minute, for the same amount of money you would have to perform on the Museum square, the King’s square, that all came together later on?
André: yes
Giel: Fantastic!!! And that too will become quite a spectacle, yes André Rieu and friends will too, but differently. And I understand you will be performing with two other Andrés
André: yes, the three Andrés, that was a wish by Joop van Ende who said we have to bring the three Andrés on stage. First I will play the “King’s Waltz” then the 
“ Willhelmus” (Dutch national Anthem) and then “Oranje Boven” (Orange on High) with André.
Giel: André van Duin
André: And then we’ll do another piece in between, I don’t know exactly what.
Giel: André hazes
André: And then we’ll have “She believes in me” with Martijn Fisher and then we do a nice intonation with the percussions and then André will join us ...
Giel: It will be quite an affair
André: I think so too
Giel: you say it is the King’s Waltz, but actually it is a medley
André: yes, it starts very majestically.
Giel: I have aired that a couple of times already, but I kept talking through it.
André: Oh and you are going to do that again too?
Giel: No I will not do that his time, No, no, no, no in that aspect it is more in the line of history, and it is the first time that the entire Netherlands can listen, it is one of the few times that we play a real classical piece of music
André: Oh, that is nice I look forward to it …
Giel: a lot of classical are incorporated, Oranje boven (Orange on high) the Silver Fleet, I am thinking that Martijn as André Hazes could also sing along “We Love the Oranges”(The royal house)
André: No I think that when the entire Museum Square … let it all hang out …
Giel: And the beginning: “In the name of orange, open the gate” I do not know that ...
André: You don’t know that?? That is a very well known Dutch song ...
Giel: that is a real classic.
André: Yes, they open the gate and then you see them enter…
Giel: you are totally imagining that … you see them coming.
André: Yes, I do
Giel: OK, I am going to it, this is it, for the first time on Dutch radio, a new song, the King’s Waltz by André Rieu and the Johann Strauß orchestra!!! “The Coronation Waltz” and give it a big applause which really belongs with it!!!For the first time on Dutch radio and I am not the only one and I have received many text message from people who had goose bumps with this piece. I’ll place my hands on my heart “Long live the King!!!!” Quite a different feeling, this Coronation Waltz, better than the old national Anthem. And there are people who believe this became the “Efteling Radio”. Goose bumps, this piece makes me proud to be Dutch!!! This is IT!! I know it, in the afternoon we have a meeting of all the DJ’s together. As far as I am concerned this should become a mega hit ... and we’ll play just the Coronation Waltz for the entire week.
André: Go right ahead!!
Giel: Shall I make it into a remake?? Cool not??
André: Very nice!!
Giles: the remix is already here … André, how neat. There are people who say that you are not quite a businessman
André: That could be possible
Giel: yes, there are two airplanes that carry all the instruments and a lots of goings on, but I think you are tops, because a complete CD will be released “Rieu Royal” and all the songs are there, the King’s Waltz, the “Wilhelmus” on the Amsterdam Canals, the Second Waltz for those who do not have that yet, and you thought for Maxima “Don’t cry for me Argentina”
André: Absolutely…
Giel: an entire CD. That shouts with big letters “PLATINUM” I’ll play one more piece from the Rieu Royal, it is all about the coronation, but it is time to say goodbye André and I hope to speak with you again before 30 April
André: We’ll play that for Queen Beatrix
Giel: Precisely … I’ll try just like any other Dutchman to be there ... it will be extremely busy.
André: No, we’ll present very nice images, images about Beatrix.
Giel: Will there be a DVD?
André: I think so, yes …
Giel: So I don’t think we need to be smashed up against the first row …
André: It will be pleasant.
Giel: So we all won’t need to be waltzing. André thanks, it was an honor for me to play the waltz. As the very first one
André: happy to have been here.
Giel: Fleur, to be the very first ...
Fleur: I am getting excited

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Pierre and André September 30, 2016 Maastricht

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Photo Taken at Mexico City Concert ~ September 2013

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"Hello to all my fans on The Harmony Parlor!"


Soundcheck in Maastricht 2013 (RTL Photo)



Maastricht 2012 ~ "André on The Theater Steps" by Bee

Maastricht 2012 ~ "André and Pierre on The Theater Steps" by Bee

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