Rieu's Christmas Concerts Taste Like More

André Rieu's Christmas Concerts Taste Like More

Even international visitors were spotted in the MECC in Maastricht

Chapeau Magazine, by Jo Cortenraedt-Dec 21, 2019

The expectation was that the first series of three Christmas concerts in the MECC in Maastricht would in primarily attract visitors from the region and the rest of the Benelux. After all, a new concept, and with the experience of the Vrijthof concert shows where first the people from the region came to look curiously and that fans from the rest of the world would connect and come later over the years.

But it is true that indeed there were particularly more Limburgers, Dutch and Belgians in general on the first night of the three concerts in the MECC. But there were also already a striking number of visitors from, for example, England. We also spoke to guests from Barcelona who had never been to Maastricht and who had now come to travel here specially. And even South American fans - among other from Chile - had just boarded an airplane just before Christmas.

André Rieu's  worldwide fame immediately creates a great deal of interest. The maestro himself was very relieved after the first concert. "You have it all in your head, but it must also become a reality like that," he said immediately afterwards."I noticed right away that the audience was impressed by the decor. We invested a lot of time in that and left nothing to chance. We now hope to make this a tradition in the coming years and then earn back some of our substantial investments."

For son Pierre Rieu it was proof that good acoustics can indeed be brought into the MECC, as long as they are done professionally. "All sorts of concert organizations have already come to see how we have did that, so I do expect something from that."

With a lot of dancers and skaters, Christmas trees and digital Christmas decorations, the Christmas atmosphere developed well. Especially when 'snow' gently drizzled on the audience. A highlight in the atmosphere was an infectious gospel choir from Paris that with the Johan Strauss Orchestra along with turned the MECC upside down.

The 11,000 spectators per night, went home satisfied. Some even preferred the MECC to the Vrijthof because of the exceptional atmosphere. "And it was just as warm there then it was outside in the summer."

Thanks to Ineke for the article and John's translation

"Hopefully Rieu Concerts Will Become a Tradition"

Christmas

"Hopefully The Rieu-Concerts 

Will Become a Tradition"

Maastricht: By Kim Noach: André Rieu spared no expenses in order to provide his "Maastricht" with a Christmas fairy tale world. The European Song festival seemed to have bypassed the city, but if it is up to Rieu, a new Christmas tradition has been born in the MECC.

From Leonard Cohens' "Hallelujah", the swinging gospels "When the Saints go marching in", to the nice-pick-me-up "Skaters Waltz" , and the "Second Waltz", with which André became World famous, are all numbers which will be played during the first Christmas show by the Maestro in the Maastricht MECC.

For the first time in his career, André Rieu can be seen in his own hometown with a Christmas show. Three concerts in a row, which can be enjoyed by 11,000 visitors at a time, who will also enjoy a Winter Wonderland in the convention center.

CHRISTMAS WORLD

Rieu, the perfectionist he is, has spared no expenses in transforming  "the ugly grey hall" of 100 by 100 meters (107639 square feet) into a Dickens like Christmas World, where 300 dancers, 82 skaters, sopranos, tenors, and a gospel choir will also make their appearance. How much this will all cost him, the maestro will not say, but that he would like to come back for several more years during Christmas: "In order for the investment to be profitable."

ICE RINK

Fair is fair: the results - after ten days of construction - are here. He who crosses the threshold strolls into a Winter Fairytale Land in which volunteers of the Maastricht Operetta Association welcome you, dressed in Dickens type costumes. Just like the couple Trudy and Hans Bollema from Maastricht are visually enjoying themselves in the roll of host and hostess. "I hope this will become a tradition. But why? Because something this grand, you will only experience once in your life." Where one turns right onto the horeca (hotel, restaurant and cafe) square where skaters pirouette on an ice rink and the hot chocolate is steaming, Brian Ceulemans and Carlijn Bouts from Berg aan de Maas, go directly into the main hall. They are definitely noticeable between the predominantly fifty-plus audience. Since Rieu is not on top of their Spottily list, they are here again since: "I was on the Vrijthof this past summer, and I have to say that the show was really tops" says Carlijn.

BIRTHDAY

The majority of the audience are fans  - these people come from France, Germany, England and even Sweden.  No matter what Rieu does: his audience adores him. From the happy medley of Jingle Bells, Sleigh Ride and White Christmas to, of course the moment when three hundred dancers - the ladies in their royal blue princess gowns -  appear and dance to the music of the "Second Waltz."

That piece is for the Maastricht choreographer Kimberly Smith the highlight of the evening, so she says. Since 2016 she has been the choreographer in the Rieu shows. "It is an unbelievable feeling when the dance couples enter the hall. I get goose bumps from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. Also, today is my birthday. And this is the best birthday present I could wish for" says Smith laughingly who will be blowing out 37 candles. A toast to a new tradition.  

Thanks to John for the article and his translation

Rieu's Christmas Shows Almost Sold Out

Rieu's Christmas Shows

Almost Sold Out

Maastricht, Dec. 16 de Limburger: The Christmas concerts which André Rieu will be performing this weekend in the MECC are almost sold out. 

According to Rieu's spokesperson, more than 33,000 tickets have been sold for the three performances. The shows for Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon are totally sold out. Only for the Friday evening performances are several hundred tickets still available. Each performance can accommodate 11,400 visitors in the MECC.

This will be the first time that Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra will perform "Christmas Concerts" in his birthplace and home town where the MECC has been transformed the last few days into a Fairytale Castle of a Wintry decor, complete with ice rinks. 

During the concerts sixty ice skaters will make their appearance, plus three hundred dancers will be performing along with a gospel choir and the Platin Tenors.

Thanks to John for this and the Translation

André Rieu Does Not Think About Stopping

André Rieu does not think about stopping. 
"What I Do is Unique"

Nederlands Dagblad by:Sophia Geuze: In the beginning of October violinist and conductor André Rieu turned seventy. But he doesn't think about stopping. During Christmas time he will be given three Christmas concerts in Maastricht and in the New Year China beckons. Also the film "André Rieu: 70 Years Young premieres." I have a unique position in the Dutch music."

For the first time Christmas concerts  with your orchestra. What is your favorite Christmas number?

"There is a lot of beautiful Christmas music, but I have two favorite pieces. The song "Minuit Chrétien" gives me goose bumps every time. That is why I recorded it a few years ago with the male choir "Mastreechter Staar" and my sopranos. The second piece is the Christmas concert by Arcangelo Corelli. I used to think it was beautiful back then when it was played by my father's orchestra. It sounds very intimate and a bit mysterious. I think that's why it appeals to me so much."

What does Christmas mean to you?

"For me, Christmas is a period of rest, reflection and refueling for the next year. When younger I used to go to the Midnight Mass with my sisters, brothers and parents, and although I am no longer an avid churchgoer, I still find a Catholic Night Mass very special. I live across from the St. Peter Church and around Christmas I often hear the choir sounds coming from that church. It is beautiful. The huge bell "the Grameer" of the St. Servaas Basilica in the center of the city can also be heard. That sonorous sound gives me a very warm feeling."

How do you celebrate Christmas?

"After the last concert - this year for the first time Christmas concerts in the MECC in Maastricht - I, together with my orchestra and all our employees celebrate Christmas with gifts for everyone. I spend Christmas with my wife, our boys, their wives and of course our five grandchildren. We give each other presents and enjoy a self-prepared Christmas dinner."

Your concerts resemble an ideal world without borders and polarization. Are you consciously looking for that?

"I am certainly aware of that. Wouldn’t the world look different if we were all playing an instrument instead of picking up a weapon? If you look at the earth from space, the boundaries disappear. We are only humans and we have to work together. Music knows no boundaries, it is the art form "par excellence" that goes straight to the heart and actually needs no words to be understood by so many. Music is a universal language which we all speak and which we can all understand. How beautiful is that?"

How would you describe your role in Dutch music?

"I think I have a fairly unique position in Dutch music. My breakthrough took place in the mid-1990's - as they always call it. I had then recorded the Second Waltz as a single and it sold like wildfire. The CD with this song on it, stood in the top ten of the Album Top 100 for a year,  between Marco Borsato, the Backstreet Boys and the Spice Girls. I try to make classical music accessible to the widest possible audience, because I am convinced that this kind of music is meant for everyone. Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart must have been real pop stars in their time. If they had lived now, they would probably have thousands of followers on Instagram and Face book and all the girls would want to take selfies with them."

How do you explain that you and your music are so popular in the Netherlands and far beyond?

"You will have to ask my fans that. I think the explanation lies in the fact that our concerts and music are borderless. The audience is invited to show all emotions. Laughing, crying, dancing, being melancholic, it's all possible and everything is possible. In addition, everything is authentic. I am really touched by the music I play. I choose my repertoire with my heart and that makes me almost certain that it will affect my audience just as much as it does me."

You are recognized everywhere. What does that do to you?

"That is the "fate of fame", I am simply a public figure. It is all part of that and it almost always goes well without any precarious situations. Sometimes it is a little less pleasant, for example when I am on vacation. Then occasionally people claim you and accost you for a selfie and a signature. Usually they leave me alone and I appreciate that."

You were already playing the violin when you were five. Why that instrument?

"All the children in our family play one or more instruments and each of them was chosen by our mother. She was convinced that the violin suited me best and she was right. No other instrument in the world is able to respond to my inner feelings like the violin. I also had oboe and piano lessons, but nowhere could I place so much passion into it as in the violin."

You said in interviews that your father had little faith in you. What do you do differently as a father?

"I hope that I most certainly do it different. He was a conductor, not only in the workplace, but unfortunately also at home. Everyone had to dance to his tune and do what he thought was right. Dealing with that was not easy. I think I am different in that at home as well as with the orchestra. I like to give people the space to do what they are good at, praise them in what they do and try to lift them up above themselves. Whether my father did that at his work, I can't remember.  As a father I am certainly different. I don't think I act the conductor at home. Otherwise my wife Marjorie would have definitely put a stop to that."

You have a lighter taste in music than your father who was a conductor. How did that happen?

"My father did indeed conduct the "real" classical works - for example a symphony by Mahler or Bruckner - but as an encore he often played a waltz by Johann Strauss. I played as a violinist in his symphony orchestra for a number of years, but I wanted to have more contact with the audience. With that in mind I founded the "Maastricht Salon Orchestra" in 1978. My father-in-law had a whole collection of gramophone records with hits from the 1920's. Since our first audience was mainly residing in retirement homes, I assumed there were probably people who would remember the music we played. So I slowly developed a different taste in music than that of my father, but that does not alter the fact that I can still enjoy Bach's cantatas. I love Aafje Heynis and I love Claudio Monteverdi's madrigals. For example, during my concerts I play the Bolero by Ravel or a part of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, but  won't play them entirely. That doesn't fit the atmosphere of my concerts."

You are best known for the waltz. What in it touches you?

"My father often played it as an encore. One time when I was playing during such an encore, something special happened. The audience, which had been sitting very quietly all night, slowly began to move back and forth. I was dumbfounded. Years later I discovered the magic power of the waltz myself. Everything is in the waltz: cheerfulness, sadness, melancholy, you name it. It is impossible to stay unaffected when you hear that compelling three-quarters time rhythm. There are many beautiful waltzes, but one of my favorites is Franz Lehár's "Gold and Silver" waltz, which I have been playing with great love for forty years. I don't dance myself, I leave that to my wife Marjorie. Let me gleefully play the waltzes, that is better for everyone."

How do you manage to conduct an entire orchestra, play the violin and involve the audience?

"I am what they call a "Stand-alone-violinist", which is a conductor who simultaneously plays the violin. Johann Strauss also did that during his time, and violinist Willy Boskowski conducted the Vienna Philharmonic in that manner for many years during the famous New Year's concerts from Vienna. By speaking to the audience I make contact with the people. That is very important to me. I could never just come on stage, stand there,  and start playing without saying anything to the people."

You have celebrated your 70th birthday. Some people cannot wait to retire. You continue. Why and how long?

"Old age pension, taking it easy;" those are terms which do not appear in my vocabulary. I will continue as long as I am afforded the time to make many people worldwide happy with the music I and  my orchestra play. I don't have a standard nine-to-five job. I have the best job in the world and I hope to keep that up for many years to come. "

What happens to your orchestra if suddenly you'd be gone?

"I'm never busy with the future. That is something I absolutely do not think about. I want to grow very old and just keep on going."

Who are your idols?

"Johann Strauss is a composer and musician whom I really admire. I also greatly admire my teacher Herman Krebbers, and Toon Hermans for his unique sense of humor. I would really like to perform with Bruce Springsteen. I am jealous of his endless energy, the way he performs and then gets the audience involved. "

A cinema show will follow in January with highlights of your career. What needed absolutely to be include in that?

"The concert in Vienna in front of Schloss Schönbrunn in 2006. No one had ever before us played at that place, and not after us either. I am always very proud of that since it was allowed by the Viennese authorities. Vienna is for every musician very special, and  I like going there. The year after Schönbrunn we gave a concert in the center of Vienna in front of the imperial Hofburg. There are also some highlights from that concert in the film, including the ballet of the Vienna State Opera."

Where is the best place to perform?

"Then I choose my home town of Maastricht where I prefer to be. Since 2005 we've organized concerts there every summer on the most beautiful square in the Netherlands, the Vrijthof. It feels like a home game. Throughout the year we give eighty to one hundred concerts on all continents. Afterwards we almost literally come home and all those people come to our "living room" to again end another year. "

Is there a place where you haven't played yet but would really like to do so?

"There are still some nice places. I would love to play on the moon, but that will not be possible for the time being. We are busy with concerts in China, Greece and in Malta. We went to Portugal in the spring of 2019, and we will return there in the fall. We also experienced our fire baptism in Colombia. It all tastes like more."

Thanks to Ineke for this long article and to

John for his translation of it.

André Offers Limburg Children Music Lessons

André Rieu Offers a Thousand 

Limburg Children Music Lessons

Investing € 425,000

December 1, 2019 Chapeau Magazine - André Rieu is going to sponsor music education in Limburg. Together with the foundation Cultuurfonds Limburg, he has taken the initiative to allow children to follow music education. Music education costs € 425,-- per year per child. Rieu wants to give no less than a thousand children in Limburg, who otherwise would not have the chance, the opportunity to receive music lessons and he is donating  € 425,000 Euros to the foundation "Cultuurfonds Limburg."  "I like for every child to feel the joy I have in making music," says the famous Maastricht orchestra leader.

"My orchestra members and I know what it means to have fun every day making music, and to make millions of people happy with music night after night. The orchestra members all have had music lessons since childhood and learned to play an instrument. They may therefore realize better than anyone else what it means if you can't do that at all. Not being lucky enough to be involved with music as a child, learn to play an instrument or receive music lessons."

The plan of the Foundation is to set up an André Rieu Relay Fund, whereby someone will have to take over from André Rieu in a year's time, and then to again let a thousand children in Limburg enjoy music lessons.

Rieu does not believe that music lessons in the current education system are hardly scheduled at all, and because of that children learn to make less music than they did before. Via the foundation, he now wants to change something in that himself. The chairman of the foundation "Youth Fund Culture" is the mayor of Kerkrade Petra Dassen.

The initiative of foundation "Cultuurfonds Limburg" is a follow-up to the project "Every child an instrument". In 2011 Queen Maxima came to a meeting of the World Music Competition (WMC) in Kerkrade to support this project. The WMC also supports the continuation of this. Secretary Ludo Diels: “This is a great gesture by André Rieu. Anyone who comes into contact with music at a young age will later - actively and passively - benefit from it. For children, making music together is also socially important." André Rieu has been a patron of the WMC for years.

Thanks to Ineke for the article and John's Translation