The Traveling
Judge
.
Frank
Visser is a TV personality who has been hosting the "Traveling Judge" show for
many years.
He travels the country with his team of legal
advisors to assist the public in legal
matters.
Text: Bea Kastrop - Photo: Roger Veldman: For this issue, Mr.
Visser wanted to do an interview with André Rieu, a man he admires for various
reasons. And André Rieu and his wife Marjorie's would not miss the opportunity
for an interview with the "Traveling Judge." Here is a conversation between
the two men who both had the courage to go their own way.
Mr. Visser: "We both actually turned against
the elite. If twenty years ago you would have said that you wanted to go to an
André Rieu concert, you would be dismissed as a commoner. You have never let
that bother you and ultimately you now mean more to classical music than the
whole avant-garde music placed together. This in fact really has no influence at
all. When I started the "Traveling Judge", the legal elite also looked down upon
that and me. But it never occurred to me not to do that just because of it. "
Rieu: "Some time ago I met Geert Mak, who
basically told me the exact same thing. He, as a serious historian was also
looked down upon by the elite. It was again too popular, you understand. If the
majority likes something, you as a critic can easily distinguish something by
breaking it down. For us it's just a matter of persevering. "
Mr.Visser:"Exactly, as long as we have the
time to live".
Rieu: 'What the h…..?! You're only 64! You are
just beginning! Do you get enough exercise?"
Mr. Visser: "More than you, I think."
Rieu: 'More than me? I have a personal trainer
and three times a week, for two hours at the time I am exercising. I have been
doing it for three years now and it is fantastic. I am a different person! "
Mr. Visser: "I also participate in athletics.
At the gym. And when I come home from my sculpting, I too take a shower, you
know!"
To The Moon
Mr. Visser: "Do you sometimes dream of
something totally different? Something you would still like to do or experience?
"
Rieu: "No. I am living my dream. For me freedom
is one of the most important things in life. Freedom of thought, of action, of
"being". I do not have a boss and I can do whatever I want. My dream was to make
music with my orchestra and along with that see the world, but not as a tourist.
Now I travel around the world with a bunch of friends and I think it's a very
nice life. Perhaps there might still be one thing ... If I could ever go to the
moon ...
Mr. Visser: "That does not tell me anything at
all. What do you need to do on the moon? "
Rieu: "When you look from the moon to the
earth, you see no more boundaries, no black or white, no rich or poor. I like to
place things into perspective and that is placing things literally into
perspective. Then it's just our earth. To me it seems like a fantastic
experience. "
Mr. Visser: "I used to dream of becoming an
actor. If I were still young I would become an actor. As a "Traveling Judge"
this is the closest I can come to the performing arts, hahaha. Originally a
lawsuit was for a large part just like a theater. And the funny thing was that
once someone entered the arena, the class difference was gone. Everyone could
speak their mind. Even the little man. That also takes place with the "Traveling
Judge" and people naturally feel that it should be that way. "
Rieu: "We really are in agreement with that.
The abolition of that elitist thing. I've never did it for the success. I still
don’t. I played in the Limburg Symphony Orchestra, where my father was the
conductor. And I was missing something, but I did not know what. Later on I
discovered that it was the sheer distance from the public which bothered me. I
wanted to make music for the cleaning lady, the professor, young and old, for
everyone. Music is the form of art which touches all hearts. My wife Marjorie
played a very important role in that quest. Without her I would now be lying in
the gutter! I mean that seriously! Classical music creates a lot of victims.
Because the stress is so high. Today, the musicians have to compete against
those perfect recording outfits. "
Needing a Drink?
Rieu: "You have to make decisions which have a
profound impact on people's lives. Does that create a lot of stress? "
Mr.Visser: 'Sometimes. I do think it is
extremely important that you have a close relationship. If you don’t, you will
see in our profession, and indeed also in television, and then alcohol becomes a
danger. Before I met my wife, I definitely was antisocial. In the sense of just
doing what I wanted to: just studying and working. I had no interest in friends
and going out for me was a waste of my time. Through a good wife and a normal
family life you do get ... many of those highly paid lawyers all have a few
marriages behind him. They work till late at night and then after a few drinks
go home. Now I must admit that sometimes after a lengthy hearing as the
"Traveling Judge" I too need a drink. The concentration is then so great! And
you are just no longer part of this world."
Rieu: When I'm on the Vrijthof and I see all
these people enjoying them selves... that makes me so happy. Then after such an
evening I too need some red wine to come back to earth again, though. And not
just I. My entire group."
Thank to Ineke for sending the article and John for Translating
it.
1 comment:
Is there an interview with Marjorie?
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