Rieu: Baking Instead of Playing For The King

André Rieu: Baking Instead of Playing For The King

Orange Cake From The Kitchen

 of The Orchestra Leader

Chapeau Magazine - Normally, it was expected that André Rieu and his orchestra would perform a mini-concert today for King Willem Alexander and his family during their planned visit of King's Day to Maastricht. The cozy Onze Lieve Vrouweplein would probably have been the setting for this special performance.

But because of corona all that was canceled and the king stayed at home. The king of the waltz also, at his home in the Maastricht district of St. Pieter. He wanted to pay tribute to the royal family today and came up with the idea of baking a special King's cake, with of course orange as the dominant color. And because the Maastricht musician never thinks small, it became a big cake, with whipped cream and all, of which many a family could eat.

André Rieu in recent years has increasingly seen cooking as a pleasant form of relaxation and is now frequently in his professional kitchen experimenting with all kinds of dishes. “When we are on the road with the orchestra, I eat out, although we always bring our own catering. But at home I can really make what I like, it is a beautiful and creative hobby for me, which I enjoy. Which does not alter the fact that I am eager to perform again. But unfortunately we still have to be patient for a while."

Thanks to John for the Translation and Ineke for the article

André's Reaction To The Concerts Postponement

André's Reaction To The Postponement of The Vrijthof Concerts

Concept for a festival-free summer

It was expected, but now it is official: all festivals and major events in our country (the Netherlands) are canceled this summer. That was announced by Prime Minister Mark Rutte last night. (April 20, 2020)

BY ROB COBBEN, de Limburger

Until September first, all large-scale gatherings are prohibited in connection with the fight against the corona virus. This means, among other things, cancelation of Pinkpop in Landgraaf, Bospop in Weert, Solar Weekend Festival in Roermond, Zomerparkfeest in Venlo and André Rieu's concerts at the Maastricht Vrijthof. The Limburg Festival in Central Limburg and Cultura Nova in Parkstad are also scrapped, although the organization of the latter festival is still looking for possible alternatives.

"Due to the corona virus, the ban on events has been extended to September 1," said Rutte. "No events are taking place because we cannot afford the risks in the coming months. We also want to do justice to the need for clarity among organizations, ”said the prime minister.

Heartbreaking

André Rieu reacted disappointed, but he fully understands the cabinet's decision. “Right now, corona affects our entire lives. Our main concern is the safety and wellbeing of our beloved fans, musicians, team and audience, all part of the great "André-Rieu Family". For many, this news is heartbreaking - and it is very difficult for us to accept this decision. My orchestra and I have been so proud that since 2005 we were able to welcome visitors from all over the world to more than 100 concerts in my beautiful home town of Maastricht, ”says Rieu. More than 100,000 tickets and travel arrangements had already been sold for the series of twelve concerts in July. These will remain valid for next year's concerts, which will then take place from 1 to 18 July, Rieu reports.

Thanks John for this translation

Dear all,

COVID-19 is touching all of our lives and at this time our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our beloved fans, musicians, team and audiences, all part of the big “André-Rieu-Family”.

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you today that, following the measures taken by the Government of the Netherlands, our traditional Open Air Concerts on the Vrijthof in Maastricht cannot take place in July 2020. 

These cancellations will come as heartbreaking news to all of you – and they have been very difficult for us to make. Since 2005, my orchestra and I have been so proud to welcome the whole world to my beautiful hometown Maastricht in more than 100 concerts. Last year 150.000 fans came from 90 different countries to celebrate unforgettable evenings of music and joy together with us.

Even if we cannot be together this July, we remain optimistic that the situation will soon improve. We have worked very hard during the last weeks to reschedule all our concerts as we want to give you something joyful to look forward to. 

Regarding the Vrijthof, all tickets and André Rieu Travel Packages, will remain valid for our open air concerts in July 2021. Please check www.vrijthof.info for further information, dates and answers to your questions.

I know we are all very worried about the impact that COVID-19 is having on our loved ones and daily lives. My Johann Strauss Orchestra and I send you our very best wishes. We cannot wait to share music, joy and fun with you again very soon! The Waltz Must Go On – and it will!

Much love,
André Rieu

NEW DATES    Vrijthof, Maastricht 2021

Thursday, 1 July 2021 – replaces 2 July 2020

Friday, 2 July 2021 – replaces 3 July 2020

Saturday, 3 July 2021 – replaces 4 July 2020

Sunday, 4 July 2021 – replaces 5 July 2020

Thursday, 8 July 2021 – replaces 9 July 2020

Friday, 9 July 2021 – replaces 10 July 2020

Saturday, 10 July 2021 – replaces 11 July 2020

Sunday, 11 July 2021 – replaces 12 July 2020

Thursday, 15 July 2021 – replaces 16 July 2020

Friday, 16 July 2021 – replaces 17 July 2020

Saturday, 17 July 2021 – replaces 18 July 2020

Sunday, 18 July 2021 – replaces 19 July 2020

The Waltz King Happily Keeps On Baking

The Waltz King Happily Keeps On Baking

How do people in the cultural world survive this crisis? In the section of "Creativity during corona" we allow Limburg musicians, authors, artists and theater makers have their say. In the first episode: André Rieu, leader of the Johann Strauss Orchestra, and some of his musicians.

Maastricht "de Limburger" BY PETER VAN DE BERG AND ROB COBBEN: These days, the kitchen of the age-old "Huis de Torentjes" (House of the little Towers) in Maastricht regularly has a pleasant baking smell. In the historical place where, according to legend, the famous French musketeer d'Artagnan had his last breakfast before he died during the "Siege of Maastricht in 1673", André Rieu uses baking tins and dough beaters. His famous Stradivarius and bow were exchanged for kitchen utensils. 

The corona crisis also haunts the maestro at home. He has discovered a tasty pastime: baking and cooking. And preferably sweet delicacies. Be it waffles with strawberries and a dot of whipped cream or raspberry Bavarians. Master pastry chef Robert van Beckhoven could invite the Waltz King immediately to participate in the popular TV program "All the Netherlands Bakes.". 

Rieu - who turned 70 in October last year - enjoys it tremendously during this less concert time. With son Pierre and his family within walking distance of the castle, it is not difficult to find pastry lovers. "My wife Marjorie is already complaining that after the corona period, she will probably have gained weight. Just kidding! I especially enjoy being busy in the kitchen and handing out the baking to the neighbors and other people who love it. ”

Iron Grip

The corona crisis also puts Rieu and his orchestra in an unreal situation which the Maastricht  residents have never experienced before. It abruptly ended his tour in the United States and has kept the stand-alone violinist far from the stage ever since. So in familiar surroundings, he especially enjoys the little pleasures of life. "Fortunately it is still going well. I am healthy and fit and that is quite a lot nowadays if you can say that. I sleep well and get up refreshed and cheerful. I start each day cheerfully and full of energy ”

I like to hand out the bakings to the neighbors and the people who love them.

And he doesn't just use that energy every day to stand behind the stove. “I regularly work out in my gym via Face time with my trainer in the background. I work out ideas, make plans for the future, study and finally found time to clean up my office again.”

Raring To Go

One thing is certain. The world star - as he calls himself - is kicking like a horse in the stable raring to go outside, travel the world and entertain his fans with concerts again. "That is my passion and my life. And also my orchestra's." He finds support and comfort in these difficult times from family and fans. "We talk a lot with each other. Pierre is also often here to discuss matters. And of course I speak with  the people from our office a lot. There is a lot to arrange, tours have to be moved. I get great feedback from fans around the world, via Face book, Twitter and Instagram. I recently posted a photo of a beautiful bunch of tulips which reached two million people ... ”Rieu has not locked himself up in his castle, he says. "I definitely come outside, nicely keep my distance from everyone. We do the shopping and let the dogs out. ”

Concerns

Of course there are also concerns. About his company and all his employees. “With a turnover of 0 percent, you can imagine the consequences. No company can last that long. So I am very happy with the promised support from the government. ” Whether the Vrijthof concerts will continue this summer is still uncertain. "We await the government's decisions."

At least the Easter days are already well filled in, says Rieu. “Walking, reading, studying, cooking, baking, calling or texting with the children and grandchildren. And talk a lot with Marjorie. After 45 years we are still not done talking. That's fantastic! ”

Thanks to John for this article's translation

The Waltz King Bakes - Part Two

The Waltz King Bakes - Part Two

Giving Mini-Concerts To Support Vulnerable People

Donij van Doorn 

“I really miss touring and making music with my Rieu family, but I try to make the best of it. I do chores which normally remain: polish furniture, baking, gardening. And the best part: giving mini concerts with my friend and singer Fabian Egli. At nursing homes, where we try to support vulnerable, isolated people. We already have about thirty concerts behind us. A smile, a tear, moving feet and hands, words being sung along, that's what we do it for. I am also a bit afraid that people do not follow the rules and companies go under; and am concerned about people with occupations which are now so heavily taxed; and people who cannot say goodbye to their loved ones. But I also see so many beautiful things happening. People who support each other creatively. Heartwarming!"

Doing Puzzles and Chores

Manoe Konings

“I have no work outside the orchestra, I am at home and I keep to the virus guidelines as much as possible. Getting through the day is no problem. There are plenty of chores in and around the house that otherwise remain undone. And of course there are activities which I normally hardly have time for: doing jigsaw puzzles, learning Spanish, reading books which are too heavy to take on tour. And of course rehearsing, because making music is top sport. I also hope that we all consider things which we normally take for granted. That we are going to put things into perspective.”

Rehearsing, High Up In The Tower

Franks Steijns

"I am also the city carillonneur in Maastricht, Heerlen and Weert. Fortunately, I can continue to do that kind of work. I have a "study room" in the tower. Nobody hears me there, except the falcons. In a crisis you learn to know your real friends. And that certainly applies to our orchestra. We are now massively sharing old photos and films of the orchestra, the most beautiful memories from the past thirty years. Distance or not, we remain a very close-knit club. Hopefully it won't be too long before we can get back on stage together healthy and safe.

Thanks to John for the Translation

Rieu Experiences "Most Difficult Period of His Career

André Rieu Experiences 

"Most Difficult Period of His Career"

Joost Schreurs, 1Limburg: André Rieu has expressed his concerns about the corona virus with a video message. (The message of video is as follows).

According to him, the violinist is going through the most difficult period of his career ... He is concerned about his private life as well as his company.

Health

The 70-year-old violinist from Maastricht is concerned about the health of everyone dear to him. The Rieu family is committed to staying healthy and abiding by the rules. In addition, he has great respect for everyone who works in healthcare. "We pray for those people that they will continue this tough task," said Rieu.

Worries

In addition to his private life, the Maastricht resident also has concerns about his company. "I am responsible for 135 permanent employees and about 100 freelancers around the world." Rieu is happy with the help the government offers.

Vrijthof Concerts

In July, the stand-alone violinist, together with his Johann Strauss Orchestra, have planned to give the traditional concerts on the Vrijthof in Maastricht. Last year, those concerts attracted more than 100,000 visitors from 99 countries. Nothing yet is known about the possible cancellation of the concerts.

Thanks to John for his Translation and Ineke for the article

Rieu Remains Optimistic About The "Vrijthof"

André Rieu remains optimistic about the "Vrijthof"

Evert Santegoeds Hollandse Hoogte

Performing For André Rieu Is Currently Out Of The Question

Telegraaf/Privé - Rieu is still positive that his popular summer concerts on the Vrijthof in Maastricht in July will go on. He remains optimistic. "I think it is too premature now, at the beginning of April, to make the decision to cancel the concerts," he says. " We hope the situation will improve and that everyone will keep to their agreements. If this does not happen and other measures are taken, we will have to consider that and then look for solutions." While huge pop festivals such as Easter-pop, liberation festivals and the European song festival have been cancelled or being taken into consideration, Rieu keeps hoping for the highlight of the year in his Maastricht: "We continue to work behind the scenes on the program. Besides, ticket sales have not been cancelled yet."

ODE TO THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Fans from all over the world travel to Limburg every year to experience the atmosphere at the Vrijthof. Currently all concerts have been cancelled after Rieu and his orchestra returned head over heels from America.The next planned concert will be in Cologne on 15 May.

Andre: "In any case, as soon as we are allowed to perform again, we will pay a musical tribute to all the doctors and healthcare professionals, who are now doing everything to save lives.  I have an enormous amount of respect for them all."

Thanks to John for the Translation

and Ineke for the article

Dialect Dictation Date Changed Due To Coronavirus

The Great Mestreech's Dialect Dictation Date Changed Due To Coronavirus

L1Limburg by Job Tiems

An update from a previous article.

The Great Mestreechs Dialect Dictation will be moved to September 27 due to the corona measures.  André Rieu will still read the dictation on this new date."Of course we first asked Rieu if he could do that," said Hortense Brounts, chairman of the dialect association "Veldeke Maastricht."

Corona measures

The dictation was actually scheduled on the agenda for May 27th, but a new date has now been set due to the corona measures. "This gives people more time to prepare for the dictation," the organization jokes on Face book.

Not only for residents of Maastricht

According to Brounts, the dictation is not only intended for residents of Maastricht. 

"Everyone can participate,"she says."I hope that as many people as possible will want to participate."

Since the government made it known last week that all activities and events are not allowed to go on until June 1st, we were forced to cancel the Great Maastricht Dictation scheduled for 31 May. We have immediately selected another date. Namely 27 September. That will give you ample time to prepare yourself for the dictation.

André Rieu

This year, the seventeenth edition of the Great Mestreechs Dialect Dictation is written by Marjorie Rieu, wife of the world-famous violinist. The stand-alone violinist will read the sentences and words.

 Thanks to John for his Translation and Ineke for the article