ANDRE RIEU FAN SITE THE HARMONY PARLOR

Criticism of The New Rieu Maastricht Dates

2012-01-27T12:37:00.000-08:00

VRIJTHOF CONCERTS

Collaborating Hotels: Many rooms to be given up Theater: Changing performances

Criticism of The New Rieu Dates

MAASTRICHT - By Stefan Gybles: The Maastricht Hotel owners, united through the Collaborating Hotels Organization (SAHOT) criticized the changing of the Rieu concert dates towards the end of June. According to SAHOT, the hotels rooms for that particular period are almost booked solid. Furthermore, if Rieu decides to perform during the last weekend in June, there are only a handful of rooms still available, according to the president of the SAHOT organization, Antoine Scheerens. "He will be in conflict with the start of the Tour de France in Liège. Many hotels have already reserved rooms for this event" says Scheerens.

Rieu performs on the Vrijthof the weekend of June 22nd. Should the ticket sales be successful, the orchestra leader would than possibly add the last weekend of June to his concert series. Rieu moved his concerts to the end of June due to his concert series in Brazil.

Scheerens says he is sorry there has been no discussion. "We built a good relationship with him, but it has become very one-sided with Rieu." Spokesperson for Rieu, Kerstin Cornelis says "It was not clear why there should have been a discussion." "We can not take everything into account. For us it was most important to find a date that would fit in our plans. To discuss that with every one you would lose focus."

Also in the Theater on the Vrijthof, there was criticism, although less than with the hotel owners.The theater already had planned performances for that particular weekend, including one with the LSO (Limburg Symphony Orchestra). The restaurant part had also been reserved. "Not very nice, but that is the way it is" said business director of the theater Jos Spauwen. " We. together with the City Council are now in discussion with Rieu as to how we can resolve this problem.

"The Tourist Information Office (VVV) has according to their spokesperson Janne Baetsen not received any complaints. "The fans who had reserved for July, we were able to rebook."

Thanks to John for Translating this for us

A Sick André Rieu Cancels Dortmund

2012-01-25T11:39:00.000-08:00

A Sick André Cancels Dortmund

Dortmund, Flu Infection: the André Rieu concert for Thursday 26 January, in Dortmund's Westphalia Hall 1, as well as the Hanover concert on Wednesday, has been canceled due to illness. An early alternate date has not yet been disclosed. Tickets already purchased will remain valid.

Because of a common flu infection, André Rieu has been placed on sick leave on Wednesday for the entire week by his doctor, one day before his scheduled concert on the 26th of January in Dortmund's Westphalia Hall 1. The performance in Hanover on 25 January has also been canceled. The tour organizer, along with the office of the star violinist, will look for replacement dates. These dates will be announced shortly. Tickets already purchased will remain valid.

First, it was said that an alternate concert date for February or March would be announced shortly. But now other sources indicate that this could be as late as May. Further specific details have not yet been given by the concert Schoneberg, the organizers, since further discussions are still necessary. For Rieu's performance in the Westfalenhalle there are still plenty of tickets available.

In addition, the waltz king is a regular guest in Dortmund. After his successful tour in 2011, a delighted André Rieu is looking forward to his tour in 2012: "The German public is a very loyal audience - I look forward to the lively atmosphere at my concerts every year in the large German Halls."

Thanks to John for Translating this for us!

And Get Well Soon André!!!

Rieu's Maastricht 2012 Concert Dates Released

2012-01-20T04:25:00.000-08:00

For 8th Year In a Row Rieu Will Be in Maastricht

From Maastricht Aktueel: On Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday, June 24, Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra will give a series of outdoor concerts on the Vrijthof.

Dates and Times will be:
Friday, June 22, 2012, 21:00 CET
Saturday, June 23, 2012, 22:00 CET
Sunday, June 24, 2012, 21:00 CET

Tickets are on sale via: ► www.andrerieu.com VVV offices and all Primera, and will start 21 January @ 10:00 CET. (Central European Time) Gold member sales are currently in effect and will end 21 January @ 9:00 AM CET

It looked as though the concerts on the Vrijthof this year would not take place because of the overwhelming success in Brazil. "I think it is important to honor this annual tradition and have therefore decided to return from Brazil and change the eventual other concerts to a later time." According to Andre Rieu.

This year again Rieu will transform the famous square into a grand, romantic open-air concert hall with room for about ten thousand people. Fans can enjoy an unforgettable evening of captivating waltzes, classical music, operetta and musicals, to unique performances by Andre Rieu and his orchestra, famous soloists and special guest artists.

"We play all over the world, but I think it is always nice and special coming back to Maastricht. It's really a home game. Playing on the most beautiful square in the Netherlands for my friends, family and my grandchildren in the audience! " according to Rieu. "We have been busy with preparations. I divulge nothing, but this year we are making it a special festival, that's for sure!"

Thanks to John who was up at 4:30 in the morning to post this for all of us!!

André's Instrument From André Rieu Magazine

2012-01-19T04:14:00.000-08:00

THE LEGEND TELLS IT ALL

André's Instrument From André Rieu Magazine

Is it acceptable to be nervous with a Stradivarius in your hands? This enthusiastic reporter was and quickly handed it back to our host, the Viennese violin master, Marcel Richters.
He was going to clean André Rieu’s Stradivarius today; an essential maintenance procedure that has to be performed now and then. But because this instrument has the allure of a Rembrandt, everything seems to be just that little bit different ...

►Click HERE To Read The Full Article on André Rieu Movie Site

Maastricht: Lovely Little Bells and Heavy Metal

2012-01-18T15:33:00.000-08:00

Maastricht Bells with 250 church bells and 1500 children, the biggest hand bell concert ever.

Lovely Little Bells and Heavy Metal

Maastricht citizens with sensitive hearing beware: next week Friday hundreds of church bells and thousands of hand bells will be ringing. Maastricht bells: a huge and loud spectacle.

The Limburger by Vickie Bartholomeus: It might sound strange, but he will be happy if he can get everyone to be quiet at the same time.That is going to be according to artistic leader Bart van Dongen of the "Intro in Situ" the biggest challenge. "If that works, I will be a very happy and proud person." Van Dongen is the director of the largest hand bell and church bell concert in Europe ever, which will take place on the Vrijthof next week. It is the opening of the jubilee year of the conservatory which will celebrate its fiftieth year.

At the same time is it a prelude to Maastricht as a Cultural Capital. Eight thousand small hand bells in rainbow colors were ordered from China, in all eight tones of the scales ladder. Approximately 1500 children will be ringing them as directed by colored flags. Simultaneously 250 church bells from 25 churches, the carillons of City Hall, the Servaas Cathedral and the private carillon in the Kleine Stokstreet will all be ringing. In addition "De Paltz’ will be placed on the Vrijthof: it is the largest mobile carillon built in a truck. Ten thousand kilos (22000lbs) of bronze bells.

"Now that’s some heavy metal," says city carillon player Frank Steijns laughingly. Conservatory students have written a composition for the Maastricht bells. A rough piece, which will be refined in place with improvisation. All the bell ringers are in contact with one another in order to stay in rhythm.

Frank Steijn thinks it is formidable that children in this manner learn about music and cultural heritage."In earlier times, bells were the radio for the people. Just like 3FM now, previously they learned pieces like the "Vogelvanger" (Bird catcher) by Mozart from the carillon." How many decibels the Maastricht Bells will produce, he dares not to say, but the children will be issued earplugs. For security as well as an educational aspect: be careful with your hearing. "The only sad thing is that there is no place where you will be able to hear the entire composition, unless you are sailing above the city in a hot air balloon." Who knows, maybe that could still be arranged ... Thanks to John for finding this for us and Translating it.

André Rieu's Photography by Govert de Roos

2012-01-17T20:41:00.000-08:00

A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER FOLLOWS AT A DISTANCE, BUT

LEAVES YOU THE FREEDOM IN WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO

In the meantime it has already been three years since Govert de Roos and I met each other. He was going to take photographs for the new CD cover. A nice collaboration developed and a few months later he told me he had a huge wish which he would like to discuss with me. Govert wanted to follow me for a year in order to learn to know the person behind the artist and above all, to photograph him. I knew him as a renowned photographer. Throughout his career he has just about photographed the entire Netherlands and many famous artists. I was immediately interested in his idea, but did tell him: "Under one condition! You can follow me for one year, but I cannot notice you anywhere around!" Govert looked at me strangely, but understood what I meant.

A good photographer follows, at a distance, but leaves you the freedom in whatever you want to do. And if at some point it clicks, that then also produces some natural spontaneous snapshots.

Believe me, when it does not click, no matter how good a photographer you are, it will just not work. Some sort of trust needs to develop, a friendship between the lens and the person.

The nice thing about Govert is, that he is not only a fantastic photographer, but he is also a pleasant, quiet and cheerful person, who observed me very closely during the time he was with us, and because of that he knows, like no other, when at a certain point I feel my best which of course also makes me look my best. He has a particular image in his head, and once I am there, he takes one, maybe two photos.

Govert de Roos is a real artist, a perfectionist, just like me, and he knows his profession like no other. I considered it a huge honor to be photographed and followed by him. One of his results became this wonderful glossy magazine, but he has created so many more wonderful things for us that there will be many more to follow.

André Rieu

Thanks to John for Translating this article for us

Great Uncertainty About Concerts of André Rieu on The Vrijthof

2012-01-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

Great Uncertainty About André Rieu Concerts on The Vrijthof

January 17, 2011 Maastricht dichtbig Newspaper: There was a huge influx of messages on the Internet last week,in particularly the social media networks like Twitter and Face book: "Great uncertainty about the acclaimed concerts of Andre Rieu on the Vrijthof." These concerts would out of necessity have been advanced due unexpected successes of the stand-alone violinist in Brazil, where twelve concerts in the city of Sao Paulo were sold out in no time at all. It was reported that the interest was so great that it was envisioned to continue the concert series in this South American country into July, which would then automatically place the Vrijthof performances under pressure.

The Maastricht Tourist Board received hundreds of telephone calls from concerned Rieu fans from at home and abroad, many who had arranged their holiday schedules to match with the weekends that the maestro would perform in his own city. What was true? And what was not? Were the concerts moved or were they - like a few suggested - not moved at all? Apparently no one, who knew the proper answer, could or would clarify this. The city municipality does not know, the tourist board does not know, the entrepreneurs of the Vrijthof don't, and least of all, André Rieu Productions.

Last Friday, the Mayor and the Maastricht superstar would give an explanation together. At least that was the assertion, but even that claim was wrong. Apparently the city of Maastricht is fed up with all the confusion about the moving of dates. Through Facebook the city tries to quell the rumors. There is only one thing clear and that is: that there is still no clarity, according to their rapid publication in both English and Dutch ... "In response to all reports about the concert of André Rieu in Maastricht on the Vrijthof: We have read your posts/messages. Once there is more clarity and the exact concert dates are known and definite, André Rieu Will publish the dates.
André rules Maastricht! We too will have to live with that rule for a while. As soon as more is known, we will pass that information on to you as soon as possible.

Thanks to Ineke for sending this and John Translating it!

André Rieu on CBS Sunday Morning Show

2012-01-15T11:33:00.001-08:00

►Click HERE To See André on CBS Sunday Morning Show

Rieu Chief Operating Officer Frans Neus

2012-01-13T22:49:00.000-08:00

Getting Acquainted With Chief Operating Officer

FRANS NEUS

Frans Neus’ mother was a stay at home Mom, who liked to sing operetta pieces during family festivities. As a small boy he listened bashfully to her voice underneath the table. He would continuously take the record with the famous "Radetzky March" out of the cabinet. Coincidence? Now he works with excessive energy behind the scenes to make Rieu’s dreams into an overwhelming success.

"There Are Three Complete Sets For Each Instrument And Decor"

"I started to work for André on January first, 2001. Many facets of my work are very different and difficult to delegate; together with an entire team I do the ticketing, part of the logistics, marketing, the personnel department and visas. I also do legal matters, such as contracts for (guest) artists, CD/DVD contracts, publishing contracts and intellectual property rights. The logistics are unbelievable, as an example, we have three complete sets of every instrument and décor, which travel the entire world. A series of concerts in different countries requires a sophisticated approach. Transportation and accommodations for the orchestra and crew must be provided to perfection. When we travel less than 700 kilometers (420 miles) it is often more efficient to travel in our own very comfortable busses rather than going by airplane; the checking in and out, the security controls of personnel and baggage/instruments often requires too much time which in the end negates the gains we would have made had we flown.

When André performed an open air concert in front of the famous Schönbrunn Castle in 2006 in Vienna, an idea evolved in him to copy the castle. In 2007 the largest transportable décor and erectable stage was completed; a 125 meter stage, 150 square meter LED screens, two fountains, and two 600 square meter ice rinks. The first two performances would be by the end of December 2007 in Toronto in front of sixty thousand viewers. To ship this décor to other continents, more than one hundred sea containers are needed. Only large stadiums such as in Melbourne, Toronto, Paris and the Amsterdam ArenA are sheltering this unparalleled visual spectacle. Maastricht is our home port and there in 2005 we started a tradition of open air summer concerts on the Vrijthof. André always invents a surprise and we invite a mystery guest. Sometimes I experience stress, but relatively little goes wrong, and with an average of ten thousand tickets sold per concert, this makes André the best selling classical artist ever. He has a strong vision and wants to pass his passion for music on to the people, which is an upright and pure motive. Most of his earnings flow back into the music and productions. I have the talent as it were to take off in a helicopter and overview the entire picture, and organize everything so that the phenomenon André and his people are perfectly able to perform. You will never get accustomed to the end result; in a full house, I experience great positive emotions."

Frans Neus was born in 1954 in Meerssen. He hails from a large Limburg family with eleven children. They all maintain an impressive family web site with genealogy and birthdates. He is married to his wife Anja and they have a son, Menno, and a daughter, Marthe.

Thanks to John for Translating this for us

Rieu Vrijthof Concerts Probably at The End of June

2012-01-13T09:24:00.000-08:00

Rieu Vrijthof Concerts Probably at The End of June

A little bit more patience is required

Dates of André Rieu's Vrijthof concerts will probably be officially announced next week. Discussions with police are still ongoing as new dates will clash with the soccer finals (European Championships).

Earlier this week's announcement that today, (Friday) information would be provided about the Vrijthof concerts by André Rieu and the Maastricht Mayor Onno Hoes, has been moved to next week. According to a spokesperson of the city of Maastricht it has to do with further discussions which need to take place with the police, due to a very busy events calendar.

It is very likely that the yearly concert series of André Rieu will take place earlier than depicted on the city of Maastricht's events calendar. There it is reflected that the performances of André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra will take place between July 6th and July 15th. According to several sources, the Dutch musical export cannon would like to perform his Vrijthof concerts between June 22nd and 28th. During that period the European Championship soccer games will also take place and that is when a lot of Maastricht citizens go the the city center to follow the games.

The plans to change the concert series to the end of June is favorable for André Rieu as it will make it possible for him to return to South America again in July. The successful sale of 12 concerts in Sao Paulo has not gone unnoticed in Rio de Janeiro. Several sources say that he is preparing a concert on the most famous beach in the world: the Copa Cabana. That is where the girls from Ipanima usually parade around and the Ronaldo's and Robinho's show off their ball virtuosity, and that is where André Rieu would give concerts for an unprecedented number of viewers. A unique and maybe a once in a lifetime possibility for the Maastricht citizen and his orchestra.

For the hard core André Rieu fans the end of June is not a bad time either. The school holidays for the fans from the most southern part of Holland start the beginning of July. Then it will be nice to enjoy their favorite artist on the Vrijthof just prior to their vacation ...... Maybe next week the dates will be confirmed, who knows ...

Thanks to Ineke and John for Translating this together, as today is John's Birthday!

Rieu Wants To Perform His Concerts End of June

2012-01-12T22:32:00.000-08:00

Rieu Wants To Perform His Concerts The End of June

The Limburger January 13, 2012 by Stefan Gybels
Maastricht--André Rieu wants to perform his Vrijthof concerts this year during the last two weekends in June. Rieu presented this proposal to the Maastricht city council, who is now looking at the possibility of changing the concerts.
In previous years the orchestra leader performed his highly visited concerts in July. This coming summer he would like to change due to his concert performances in Brazil. Rieu will perform in Sao Paulo from 29 May to and inclusive 10 June. Since ticket sales are so enormous there, he would like to return to South America a month later according to sources.
According to reliable sources Rieu wants to conduct his Maastricht concerts during the weekend of 22 through 24 June. If the tickets sales are successful he also wants to include the following weekend of 29 June through 1 July.
Of notice is that the concert on 22 June and that on 1 July might again interfere with the soccer match of the Dutch soccer team. On these days the quarter final and final of the European soccer championship are being played. In 2010 Rieu's concert clashed with the World Cup final, which at that time brought on the necessary discussions.
The city council first wants to see whether the changing of concert dates will create too many problems or not, before they give their approval.
(This is the latest information available. As soon as we find out anything more we will post it here) We are still waiting for the News Conference ... Thanks to John for finding this and Translating it immediately for everyone ...

ANDRÉ RIEU To Be on CBS Good Morning Show!!

2012-01-12T14:51:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION TO ALL USA FANS!!

NEWS From the "CBS Good Morning" show.

Last year his concert tour earnings were just behind Lady Gaga's but bigger than Justin Bieber's. With his orchestra, he has sold more than 30 million recordings. Any guesses on what musician we’re featuring this Sunday Morning? (January 15, 2011) ... We got some great guesses, and a few of you were right: it's ANDRÉ RIEU! We'll catch up with "the Waltz King" this Sunday Morning. Please join us!

CHECK YOUR LOCAL TIMES FOR THE CBS SUNDAY MORNING SHOW THIS SUNDAY!!!

Maastricht Concert Tickets Go Onsale Friday 13th

2012-01-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION MAASTRICHT CONCERT GOERS!

Maastricht Concert Ticket Sales Will Start This Friday!

This Friday sales will start for the concerts in Maastricht. Mega sales of tickets in Sao Paulo are making the Maastricht dates still uncertain ...
The concert dates for the André Rieu concert dates on the Vrijthof for this year are still unknown. Allthough ticket sales will start Friday, according to a spokesperson of the municipality in spite of uncertainty surrounding the concerts. Rieu and Mayor Onno Hoes will together provide an explanation on Friday.

Tickets for the annual concert of André Rieu Vrijthof have for quite some time been for sale in many ticket shops on the internet. The VVV also offers tickets for sale on its site. And indicates on its site: "In 2012 Andre Rieu will once again organizes the Vrijthof concerts in his hometown. Book your group package for this spectacle now!" When asked what can be ordered and especially for which date, the answer to that question however, remains a mystery to everyone. André Rieu Productions, the municipality of Maastricht, Maastricht Tourist and catering businesses of the Vrijthof could or did not want to give anyone an answer this week. It is not inconceivable that Andre Rieu wants to play as long as possible in Brazil. Indeed, sales of concerts in May and June this year are selling like hot cakes. Twelve concerts in Sao Paulo were sold out in no time. Sources report to the Maastricht Actueel that Rio de Janeiro also beckons. What do you think of a concert of the Maastricht citizen on the most famous beach in the world: Copa Cobana. Andre Rieu is hot news there in the land of the samba and the world's most famous violinist can greatly benefit from it all there next spring to early summer.

As it looks right now Andre Rieu will give his last concert in Sao Paulo on June 10 this year. Should the series be extended, the start date of the next round would be July 6 - that is the date indicated on the events calendar of Maastricht - and will perhaps come under pressure. Tuesday Andre Rieu Productions ensured that the Maastricht citizen will absolutely again this year have his concert streak in his hometown on the Vrijthof. The dates, however, remain a little unclear. Also again on Friday Andre Rieu and Onno Hoes will give further details about the upcoming concerts, but the dates may still not yet be known. However, that day the ticket sales will start.
Thanks to John for Translating this for us as soon as he woke up!! :)

Getting Acquainted With Clarinetist Manoe Konings

2012-01-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

Getting Acquainted With Clarinetist

Manoe Konings

Manoe Konings was reading music before she knew her A B C’s. As a little girl she used to tell her mother about the three things in life she wanted the most: making music, to become famous and to reach the age of 96. Two of the three have become reality already.

"My grandfather was a trumpet player. He also wrote lines for comedians and songs for carnival. From him I inherited the love for music. As a little girl I played the clarinet with the marching band "Heer Voouit." I was the only girl and can still vividly remember the discussions we had whether I should wear slacks or a skirt. Luckily it became slacks. We played a wide varied musical repertoire: opera overtures, marches, Ravel’s "Bolero". Afterwards I attended the conservatory in Maastricht, and played in several regular orchestras. I did not feel comfortable there. Since 1989 I have been with André and the Johann Strauss Orchestra. An open lovely and relaxed atmosphere prevails there. In the beginning we were with just twelve people. Now we have about sixty orchestra members.

André builds bridges. He noticed that a large portion of the general public was not receiving any culture, that a large void existed. He really makes contact with his audience, that is his strength, and so he gives the people an unforgettable gift. At that time Strauss too stood on stage in front of the public, people were allowed to laugh and react, and did not really need to know how or what, or know the titles of the music pieces by heart. That is not essential; either it clicks or it doesn’t. During a rehearsal I once made a joke about a bagpipe. André asked me directly if I would like to learn to play it. A bagpipe is just like a clarinet, it is a reed instrument, but only has eight notes, and demands a lot of strength. Blowing and pressing simultaneously is the most difficult. The startup of a bagpipe is difficult, sometimes it collapses; is it going to play or not?

Every evening I play "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipe. I try playing that with the happiness and open heart of a child. The entire venue cries, time and time again.

In 2001 I received the devastating news that I had breast cancer. I was left with the choice of no longer being able to tour the world with André and the orchestra. One thing I knew for sure: if I stop making music I’ll die. It might sound strange, but cancer was the best thing that happened to me, I enjoy life so much more. Music wise I play differently too. I listen to my inner feelings, myself. I am content the way I am, and I treat people the same way I would like to be treated. Music is my oxygen, and saved my life".

Manoe Konings was born in Maastricht in 1961. She plays clarinet, saxophone, bagpipes, guitar, sings and dances and is a true entertainer on stage. She also likes to race through town in a leather jacket on her motorcycle.

Thanks to John for the Translation of this Magazine Article

ANDRÉ RIEU in Chapeau Magazine

2012-01-11T00:17:00.000-08:00

WORLD WIDE

Chapeau Magazine Feb/Mar 2012

In 2011, I would do things a bit easier, not the amount of concerts though, but everything else associated with them. It became a very busy year though. Tours to Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada and concerts throughout all of Europe, a special in Vienna, the exceptional meeting with Sir Anthony Hopkins, the premier of his Waltz, concerts at the Vrijthof, in the Amsterdam ArenA and the Gelredome, and during the summer the production of a Christmas special for the German ZDF Television which was aired on Christmas Eve. If I add it all up, then that "rest" is not so bad after all.

This Christmas special was the third one we produced and the previous one was done quite some time ago. We knew this was not going to be an easy task, since the Christmas repertoire is not endless, but we still wanted to produce something special. Together with Marjorie we worked on an idea during the summer. The basic idea from ZDF was for me to show the people how I celebrate Christmas at home, of course with the Johann Strauss Orchestra and our amazing soloists.

Huge Interest in Brazil

Then you realize that we actually have many opportunities in our own territories.To begin with, the castle and the garden, which we used as a fantastic background, and a few meters further, the St. Peter’s church, and a couple of hundred meters further on country Restaurant, Slavante, nicely situated against the mountain. The inner city of Maastricht made the picture complete. Well … yes … complete? There were of course still items which needed to be completed.

It needed to be a special of two hours duration, totally submerged in a Christmas atmosphere and of course the outside recording needed to be in a "real" winter landscape. Not an easy task when you are working in the warmest autumn in a century. But thanks to huge snow machines and all other attributes, we changed a small part of Maastricht into a small piece of Austria. It was puffing for the orchestra members who were playing in 25 (77F) degree weather, dressed in heavy sweaters. But in the end result you do not notice that at all.

We started with this in July and by the end of August the screenplay was finished. But the recordings had to be done in between the US and Canadian tours, during September, October and November. Followed by the splicing in our own studio. A huge job, but we are proud of the end result. During the Christmas celebration in our studio for the orchestra and all other employees, we all watched this special on a large screen. That was for all an emotional event. Every one present had in one way or another contributed to this special, and that then is for everyone present something extra ordinary, such as a birth for instance. Fantastic!!

Discovering The Far East

In January I am starting on the script for the English version, because this special will be released in the US next year. At the same time this special DVD will also be made available here. It was a gigantic task, we are all extremely proud of the results, and think that many people will enjoy it. The number of ZDF viewers on Christmas Eve told the truth.

In the meantime, our traditional and always festive New Year’s concert in Cologne is behind us and we are right in the middle of our German Concert tour. That is always a celebration since we achieved our first successes there, and the public is still very faithful.

After Germany, France (in March) will be next and then we start preparing for our first ever concerts in Brazil. First to Sâo Paulo where the interest is enormous, and later we will definitely go to other cities. South America is becoming more and more interesting and now we also have requests from other Middle-American countries. On the opposite side of the world, the Far East is becoming more and more a reality. We have previously already been to Japan, and now we are starting preparations for places like China, Singapore, Manila and Taipei. In December we have a Christmas tour through England, where there already is a huge demand. We will perform twice in the O2-Arena in London. We will literally go around the world. Sometime I cannot believe that it is all reality. It still seems like a beautiful dream. Can I then also dream that 2012 will be a quiet year ... André Rieu

Thanks to John for his Translation of this article

André Rieu Pianist Stéphanie Detry

2012-01-10T06:36:00.000-08:00

Getting Acquainted With Pianist

Stéphanie Detry

The piano has always been Stéphany Detry’s first love, and from an early age she has always felt a strong bond between her and that instrument. The violin just followed as a second choice. But both instruments played an important role in her life. One led to the other.

"André is so fascinating and charismatic, he dances and you dance along"

I was happy when after completing my studies at the conservatory I could start right away with André Rieu as a violinist. The piano is a solitary instrument. Seldom is there place for one in an orchestra. For many years I have enjoyed playing the violin. But when our pianist left, and André asked me to take his place, it was as if I came home; I am one with the piano, this is my true talent. Although I now seldom touch my violin, I am forever grateful to that instrument. It was for me the means to be able to work with André and his phenomenal orchestra. The concert piano plays a specific role; it is one of the pillars in the orchestra, and just like the percussion instruments, the brass instruments and the basses, an undeniable foundation. When we are on tour the instrument is tuned prior to every concert. All the traveling we do affects the instrument. And because of the complexity of our logistics, I have three concert pianos which can often be found in several different places throughout the world. By playing the piano, I am much more in the spotlight than by playing the violin. That is exciting, but also confronting. I know the entire score "Ballade for Adeline" by heart, but always have that in front of me, I need that security.

I always try to improve on my technical skills, and think that as a musician I will continue to evolve since we always grow as human beings. I have gained more life experiences, and you can undoubtedly hear that in my music. The different worlds in which I live, the touring and then transitioning back home again, can sometimes be difficult. But the price I pay for that is relatively small. I sincerely believe that we create value; music is a universal language, it touches you and effects you. Although we leave again and travel to other countries, we always leave something behind. We opened something, a heart maybe, and mutually connected people with one another. It does give you lots of satisfaction to have been able to have been a part of that. Sometimes it is as if I float above myself, watching us on stage in a far away foreign land, and making thousands of people happy with our music. It is unreal, and yet I feel intensely happy. André is the hub, the motor and the soul. His life influences your life. He is indestructible, he is so fascinating and charismatic, he dances and you dance along."

Stéphany Detry was born in Liège in 1973. As serene and humble as she appears in her daily life, on stage you’ll see a totally different personality. She is an avid photographer and makes photo diaries of life on tour.

Thanksto John for the Translation of this article from the magazine, with more to come!

Maastricht Conservatory is 50 Years Old

2012-01-10T05:30:00.000-08:00

The Maastricht Bells

Dec. 23.2011: From the paper: Maastricht and Euroregio 2018

The Maastricht Conservatory is 50 Years Old

On January 27th, 2012 at 11.30AM the spectacular opening of the Golden Jubilee year of the Maastricht Conservatory, will take place on the Vrijthof Square in Maastricht. A composition of all the Maastricht church and carillon bells will sound over the city of Maastricht and will turn out to be the biggest hand bell concert of Europe, performed by children of the Maastricht elementary schools and its surroundings. This bell concert will be the kickoff of the Maastricht Conservatory Jubilee year, and the prelude to the Night of Classical Music.

Maastricht Bells

The idea for a great bell concert came from the Conservatory who literally wants to ring in their 50th Jubilee year with all the bells in Maastricht. "Maastricht bells" is a true European composition, written by Conservatory students Yannis Katirzoglou and Christos Chalnaridis, both from Greece, Franck Bovet from France and their teacher Robert Platz from Germany.

The concert will be played by 250 church bells in Maastricht and the suburbs, along with the four carillons from the city: the town hall carillon, the St. Servaas church carillon, the Family Vossen carillon in the Kleine Stok street, and the "Paltz", the largest transportable carillon of the world which will play on the Vrijthof Square. This is an instrument of more than 10.000 kilos (4545lbs) of bronze bells and is pulled by an imposing 30 ton Mack truck, which is just as heavy as a Leopard tank. An absolute eye-catcher!

8,000 Hand Bells in Eight Colors and Eight Different Tones

More than 8.000 hand bells arrived by container ship from China in Maastricht. They consist of eight different kinds of bells in eight different colors and eight different tones. All school children from the Maastricht Elemetary Schools and children from certain surrounding district schools will receive the hand bells and all together will make music on the Vrijthof Square along with all the church bells and carillons of Maastricht. The children are divided into special sections according to the bell tones and have to ring their bells at the direction of the conductor. The Carillon players, church bell ringers, and the conductor of the hand bell orchestra all play together on a strict time schedule and are able to communicate with each other. In this manner they will all stay in sync/rhythm and together will open the Jubilee year of the Conservatory and also the Maastricht candidacy for the European Capital of Culture for 2018.

Maastricht and the Meuse-Rhine region Capital of Culture 2018

In discussion with "Tout Maastricht" (All of Maastricht), the organization which would like to involve all the Maastricht citizens in their celebration of Maastricht and the Meuse-Rhine region in order to become the Cultural Capital of Europe for 2018, came up with the idea to involve all the elementary school children of Maastricht and also the elementary school children of its surrounding schools. With all of them together, the largest hand bell orchestra in the world will be formed. This project is a prime example of how the youth can directly be involved in the Cultural Capital celebrations.

Frank Steijns

The nice thing about these hand bells is that the children are literally playing-wise being made aware of (current) music, and also simultaneously of the Cultural heritage around them. Our region is indeed the cradle for the use of carillons and bells in Europe. Around the year 800, it was Charlemagne who determined that each tower should have bells. Maastricht had one of the first carillons in the world.

Workshops will be held by conservatory students, included is a curriculum, an exhibition and a nice contest. The winner of the contest may introduce his/her favorite songs, and in the spring he/she can climb to the top of the city hall tower with family and/or classmates to see and hear how his/her songs are played all over the city. The tower is a place where seldom anyone visits but is without a doubt the best panoramic view of Maastricht. In January the conservatory students will visit the elementary schools in order to practice the hand bells with the children.

The concert will start at 11.30AM on January 27th and should be finished around 12PM. Since that day might be rather cold, the children will be given hot chocolate and waffles. In the afternoon there will be additional carillon concerts on the Vrijthof and in the evening the festivities will continue on during "The Night of the Classical Music", in the Conservatory in Maastricht.

►►►Fans Can Watch Through The Webcam! But be aware of the time difference. It is January 27th at 11:30 AM Maastricht time.

Thanks to Ineke for sending this and Johns' Translation of it

Getting To Know André Rieu Violinist Frank Steijns

2012-01-07T20:29:00.000-08:00

Getting To know

FIRST VIOLINIST FRANK STEIJNS

Frank Steijns had just received his diploma from the Lemmens Institution of Leuven (Louvain) the day before, when André Rieu called him. Would he like to come in the next morning at eight and audition? That was seventeen years ago. Ever since then he has been continuously on stage with André as first violinist. And as far as he is concerned, that will never change.

"My two music worlds are equally precious to me"

Frank Steijns is probably the most multifunctional musician in the orchestra. He studied music theory, orchestra directing, violin and carillon. He is also the only one who has two full time jobs. First violinist and carillon player in Maastricht. First violinist? It sounds as if he is the most important musician next to André. "Of course not, a first violinist is responsible for the melody played in the orchestra. There are nine of us. My role is no more important than that of any other orchestra member." As modest as he is about his role within the orchestra, it is impossible to be that way in his function as carillon player. "I am a civil servant employed by the municipalities of Maastricht, Weert and Heerlen. When we are touring through Europe, I often return on Saturday to play the carillon. For me this is a nice addition to my work with André. As a carillon player you sit all alone high up in a tower. No one sees you but you are ultimately responsible for all the music you play. You never receive applause. That is totally different when you are on stage. There you appear in front of thousands of enthusiastic people. And you do that all together. Two separate worlds which are both equally dear to me. Being a city carillon player is a very honorable position. And it is even more special for me since I followed in my father’s footsteps, who did this sort of work for the city of Maastricht for fifty years." Violinist, carillon player but also co-arranger for several pieces of music.

"Don’t try to make it out to be any more than it already is," says Frank. "Because of my background in music theory it is easy for me to think along with André and it makes me a good sparring partner. And together we come up with some rather nice compositions. Sometimes something spontaneous erupts. I remember one rainy morning in Auckland, New Zealand. We were having breakfast and did not really have anything to do. Both of us started jamming, which eventually produced a waltz: "Dreaming of New Zealand." The public knows Frank Steijn as the always smiling musician, and when on stage is just a few meters away from André. That smile is a reflection of his mood. For seventeen years now he has been playing in the orchestra with the greatest pleasure. "It may sound kitschy, but this group is one huge family. As a new person it is not always easy to fit in. But once you are in, you will never want to leave again. We support one another. Of course at times I do have moments when I am not totally in top form when we start a concert. Say for instance when I go on stage with a migraine headache. But that seems to pass real soon. You receive a wink from a colleague, or a pat on the shoulder from another. And that’s how that works with us."

Franks Steins was born on Christmas evening 1970 in the Belgian town of Bilzen. Frank also produces the news page on André’s web site. (André’s quote: "My violinist Frank Steijns is the primary carillon player for the Sint Servaas, and I am extremely proud of that")
Thanks to John for Translating This Article For Us

ANDRÉ RIEU On His Love of Butterflies

2012-01-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

ANDRÉ RIEU On His Love of Butterflies

Jan.1, 2011: The violinist and conductor has sold more then 30 millions albums and has been responsible for a revival of the waltz. He lives in a castle in Maastricht, in the Netherlands where he has created his own butterfly house.

I am in love with butterflies. There is something romantic about their short beautiful lives. I have been interested in nature from as early as I can remember. I always loved flowers and birds and nature and butterflies. I took in sick pigeons and would aide them in my room without telling my mother. I also had a snake and frogs. The first time I was in a butterfly garden one stopped on my shoulder. It was amazing, I felt touched by beauty.

People always ask how many Ferraris I have or how many swimming pools, but I only had one dream and that was to have an orangery with beautiful butterflies in it and now I have it.

We have about 200 to 250 butterflies of about 15 to 20 different kinds in the orangery. We buy the cocoons in Costa Rica and support the community there. They are sent to us and we then put them in a warm place in the orangery for them to hatch.

My favorite butterfly is the Blue Morpho butterfly. They are an exquisite blue, but they are naughty, because they always close their wings when I want to photograph them. Photographing the butterflies and the wildlife is one way I wind down from a tour and relax.

We had one butterfly, an Attacus Atlas, which was huge. They can have a wing span of 25cm. I didn't think it would live long enough for me to see it as I was on tour in America when it hatched. When I came home there it was, it had held on and I was so moved.

After a tour I cannot wait to visit the orangery. Once inside you walk into another life, another atmosphere, another dimension. When I have had a hectic day I go in there. In winter is is very fantastic as it is so hot. In there it is my time. It is where I relax, unwind, sit and contemplate. Inspiration comes like lightning in the orangery.

It took four years to build because it is all handmade by a blacksmith. It is ornate and Gothic, which I designed, but it was also a family project, we all got involved. We started to build it eight years ago. I went to an antique shop and bought old stones and statues. It started out costing 200,000 Euros, but I am not going to say how much it cost in the end. I didn't get any planning permission so it is on the blacklist by the local authorities as they saw it on television and they want to demolish it. In Holland they are terrible when it comes to planning, but they will demolish it over my dead body.

As well as butterflies I have fish in the orangery and birds that don't make noise. I have a separate aviary for those. We have finches and I love to take photographs of the birds. We have four gardens and three gardeners. The head gardener has been with us for 10 years and he looks after the butterflies as I am on tour a lot. Work has already started on a monastery garden. Making a garden is fantastic. I love creating them and thinking about how they will look 10 years further. A good garden takes 40 years. I always have to have projects. When one is finished I must have another one.

I am a big fan of David Attenborough, but I have never met him. I am interested in green issues, but I use my brain as well as my heart. I am pragmatic. My wife Marjorie and myself plant trees in Burkina Faso in Africa in a little place called Niu. We have been doing that for 30 years and now it is a small wood. We try to help the people with not just money, but also with education. However sometimes I feel some groups don't like me interfering in environmental matters. They say I should stick to playing the violin as it is not my territory.

My love of butterflies is apt given that live musical performances are intensely beautiful, but fleeting. The butterfly's life is short, only three weeks and I suppose it is likea metaphor for my musical life.

From The Saturday Express by Jane Clinton

And Thank You to Patricia Smith for Scanning and sending this to us!

Sir Anthony Hopkins Talks of Working With André Rieu

2012-01-07T01:42:00.000-08:00

Sir Anthony Hopkins will release a new album of original classical music with Classic FM in the New Year

The record, titled Anthony Hopkins – Composer, includes brand new work and some of his previous scores from films. The Oscar winning actor, recorded the album with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in concert this summer. The disc contains nine pieces of music and is due for release on January 16.

We spoke to Sir Anthony before the album release. In the final part of our interview with Sir Anthony Hopkins, the celebrated actor talks about working with the superstar violinist, conductor and orchestra leader, André Rieu.
►Click HERE To Watch Interview

Marcel Felize Percussion Group "Lift Off"

2012-01-06T13:20:00.000-08:00

NEWS FROM INEKE AND RUUD: New items on our website about Marcel Falize's Percussion Group "Lift-OFF" and about the New Year's Concert in Cologne ... Enjoy!!! ........ Ineke and Ruud ~ ►Click HERE To See All These New Videos!

All Photos by Ineke and Ruud

André Rieu in Top Ten 2011 Touring Artists

2012-01-03T00:27:00.000-08:00

André Rieu in Top Ten 2011 Touring Artists

The Limburger: André Rieu is among the top fifteen artists who earned the most with their performances during 2011. This was revealed yesterday in an article published by the music magazine "Pollstar".
The musician and orchestra leader from Maastricht earned 63.5 million dollars for 97 performances in 74 cities all over the world. He is the only Dutch artist in the top 25 published by "Pollstar". The Irish band "U2" is in first place by earning 180 million dollars ...

►Click HERE To See Full Touring List

2011-12-23T19:00:00.000-08:00

André With André Rieu With Subtitles

2011-12-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

The live CHAT interview with André and Wima Nanninga is now on Ruud and Ineke's Website ...
With ENGLISH Subtitles. ►Click HERE To Watch It!

Marc Rieu Doing It His Own Way ...

2011-12-23T01:03:00.000-08:00

Marc Rieu Doing It His Own Way

De Limburger: December 16, 2011 by Peter van de Berg

His paintings are already hanging in the office of British actor Anthony Hopkins. While his famous father André visits all the corners of the world with the Johann Strauss Orchestra, Marc hopes to achieve the same fame, but as a renowned painter/artist. "I‘ll do it my way"

MARC RIEU'S OWN WAY

He is, with his brushes and paint, perhaps the most creative spirit of the Rieu family. Marc, son of the famous Maastricht conductor and leader of the Johann Strauss Orchestra, inherited just like father André, mother Marjorie and brother Pierre, the feeling for art, music and culture. It is in the genes. While André and Pierre are in the spotlights, Marc is satisfied with a role in the background. But he will not stay there. Like his father he has a dream. Marc wants to build a name as a painter to eventually end up with his works in galleries and museums across the world.

His interest in painting was really awakened when he in group eight, watched a documentary about Vincent van Gogh in elementary school. "When I started painting, Vincent definitely was a big source of inspiration. I still admire him. That man had an enormous drive. He created over 800 paintings. Try doing that!"

Marc Rieu has in recent years evolved into a landscape painter. He calls his style: suggestive illusionism. On his website (www.marcrieu.com) he writes: "I suggest reality with my paintbrush as a magic wand. His preference for landscapes is deliberate choice.

I become sad due to all the misery in the world. People fight and make war. And that while our planet has so much beauty to offer. The landscape is innocent and often beautiful. Look at the Grand Canyon in the USA or Tuscany in Italy. Sometimes I get the idea that the earth protests and fights back. Maybe a tsunami is a kind of a warning of "Don't go too far"." He is a romantic. A realistic artist? Does not exist!! Each artist lives in his own world. Considering that, I too am a dreamer.

During the last three years he has been earning a living as a professional painter. His studio is in his home. "That gives me freedom to decide when I go to work. Sitting behind the easel is not the only thing I do." He is also the daddy who changes his children's diapers, goes to the petting zoo, or sings a little song for the little ones. In the last six years he has created about 100 paintings. Panoramas, sunsets, or ships at sea. He cannot get enough of it.

"It's not as if I copy photos precisely on canvas for instance. I give my own twist to each painting. Recently, I painted the Hamburg skyline. Not every building is straight. That's what they call suggestive illusionism". Just like his brother Pierre, Marc too could have worked in his father's company. But he prefers a different career. "Dad is my big role model, and I admire him tremendously. I regularly attend his concerts. But I do not aspire a position with him. I like to build my own career and name. I conduct regular exhibitions. I then have a conversation with the people who organize the event and then very frequently the last question is: "Can André come and open the exhibition?" Then I sometimes think: "Is it all about him or my paintings? That's very particular.

His paintings do not only hang in Castle "De Torentjes", (André and Marjorie Rieu's castle), but in the meantime also by Anthony Hopkins. The famous British actor attended this year’s Vrijthof concerts, after having composed a waltz for André. During that same time Marc Rieu was conducting an exhibition in the Theater on the Vrijthof. "I saw him sitting in the audience and I wanted to shake his hand, but was pushed aside by one of his body guards. Later on the body guard learned that I was André's son. He felt very bad and ashamed. The next day we had breakfast together. Anthony Hopkins’ wife bought four of my paintings, and they are hanging in his office. Of course I am very proud of that." For the second time his works were exhibited in the Theater on the Vrijthof.

In 2010, during the concerts, eleven paintings were sold. This year twenty four. He sold a painting to a couple from Singapore. That was very funny. These people were on holiday in Maastricht. Not because of the concert. They did not even know André, but were interested in art. They bought a painting of a mill against a deep blue sky as background." Marc plans his itinerary carefully. In March an exhibition can be seen in the BRF broadcasting building in Eupen, Belgium. He is looking for an art gallery which can permanently represent him and ultimately presents his exhibitions in many different places. "Dad also started small with the Salon Orchestra. I have all the time. Of course I would like to end up in renowned museums. Every artist dreams of that ...
Thanks to John for this article and Ineke/John’s translation. (Printed with permission)

2011-12-21T07:08:00.000-08:00

WIN THIS BOOK IN RUUD AND INEKE'S CONTEST!

We have a small Christmas competion for you! Just for fun. People who have never studied a second language, have no idea. The person with the right answer can win the new Andre Rieu Magazine, the new glossy! Although it is only written in Dutch, it is worth while to watch the photos. And in time we'll translate a few chapters. The question to you is: How many hours do you think Ruud, John and I all together, need, to post a 30 minutes interview on our website with subtitles? (Like the recent live chat we are working on). I mean: move the video to our computer (Ruud), do the translation (Ineke), check the language (John), do the technical things to prepare (Ruud), drag the subtitles into the video (Ineke), post it on our website (Ruud). The person with the right answer (how many hours do we need for a 30 minutes talkshow/interview) will receive the glossy in the new year! You can respond in our guestbooks, on Facebook or private mail.

Live Interview With André Rieu

2011-12-20T07:11:00.000-08:00

Live Interview With André Rieu

André Rieu did a live Chat for Prive with Wilma Nanniga. During the live chat interview excerpts of the new Christmas DVD are shown and is going to be a fantastic DVD. This will again be a "MUST HAVE" DVD ... Bobbie

(No Subtitles yet, but Ineke and Ruud will soon post it with subtitles!)

►Click Here To Watch Live Interview With André

André Rieu's Sons Out of The Shadow

2011-12-16T22:56:00.000-08:00

André Rieu's Sons Out of The Shadow

Pierre Rieu, son of Waltz King André Rieu, has a hobby which bears no resemblance at all to the graceful and charming performances which brought his father world fame. He is crazy about everything associated with World War II. His already extensive collection of vehicles, camouflage outfits and other military items, are stored in the same shed as his father's decor pieces.

"It will become a museum, but I don't like to call it that", says Pierre in the André Rieu Magazine. In this magazine Photographer Govert de Roos displays images of the life of the renowned Limburg violinist. Son Pierre talks about his fascination with WWII, which evolved from his mother Marjorie's family history. She had a German/Jewish father and a resistance heroine as a mother. Pierre continues: "In a museum people can stay 5 minutes and leave again. That's too casual for me. I'd like to offer the visitors an experience. Which after a couple of hours will give them an idea as to what it was like to live during WWII.

Not only in the Magazine does Pierre allow us a peek into his life. Brother Marc, who regularly does exhibitions as a painter in the Netherlands and abroad, also allows the readers a peek into his life.

"Just like my father I become deeply touched by beauty", says Marc in this very seldom given interview. He prefers a life far outside his father's empire. "I resemble him a lot in his passion. Just like him, I find a lot of satisfaction in creating. My father is a dreamer and in that aspect I am like him. Pierre and my mother are more realistic. I see myself as an ideal mix of my father and my mother. The same goes for Pierre. We really received the best from the both of them.

Telegraaf, December 16^th 2011 Photo Govert de Roos Translation by John and Ineke

►Posted with permission

An Important Notice Regarding The Harmony Parlor

2011-12-16T04:29:00.000-08:00

►An Important Notice Regarding The Harmony Parlor

André Rieu Pays Tribute to The Love of His Life

2011-12-10T01:52:00.000-08:00

André Rieu Pays Tribute to The Love of His Life

"Marjorie is my silent force"

The Telegraaf, By Wilma Nanninga:
This is a memorable interview. Marjorie, a cheery Limburger with a head full of curls, slides in cheerfully next to us as a surprise. She is always out of the limelight and does not want to be photographed. She handed me a picture of the both of them from an earlier time; l love it when I can just happily move about, rather than being Mrs. Rieu. I even travel under my maiden name. I would like to remain a mystery.

André looks at her lovingly, "Marjorie made certain that I could become the waltz king. She has since then freed me from Beethoven. And now it's wonderful for me to know that she is in the office, or my studio. Her objectivity and yet playful, flexible intellect is my compass in the sometimes turbulent times of the business. She guards me from mistakes, differentiates, thinks along and was for instance my pillar of strength when I was down for weeks with an inflamed labyrinth. We have braved many a storm together. In a Christmas movie now being filmed around André’s castle, an actor who plays André walks bleakly through a snowy alley. Until the lights come on and he is embraced by a young woman. "I studied at the Conservatory in Brussels. I lived in a gloomy little room in the back on the third floor. I did not know where my life was going, had very much the feeling that I was on a dead end street. I studied violin without enthusiasm. Very prim and proper, just like most classical music is. In a school where envy and competition reigned. No one cared. I was to the point of giving up, despite the wishes of my father, who was a concertmaster. I wanted to choose something different. And then suddenly Marjorie lit up my life. And she made me discover happy, light music. From Berlin, where her Jewish parents grew up. Actually I had an aimless life, from my birth until my meeting with Marjorie. After that, it erupted. André smiles: "I knew her a little bit from my sister Theresa’s high school class. But when she came to visit me in Brussels 37 years ago, it really happened. She did not leave. And ever since then I know that destiny takes its course. No matter what happens. Marjorie gives me courage and energy. Over and over again. Even last year when we financially wise crept through the eye of a needle, after we had traveled the entire world with those huge castle decors. That really was, looking back at it now, a little dumb. Everything was in jeopardy; I even had wanted to sell my Stradivarius. But Marjorie continued to believe in positive results. And she was right.

André Rieu (62) would be nothing without the sparkling power of his wife Marjorie. As visible as she is for him and their sons Marc and Pierre, she is as invisible to the outside world. That is why André composed a tribute to her. Together and for the first time they tell about their unique love story: "Six weeks long we wrote each other letters."

St. Nicholas Celebration: Marjorie pipes in, "I always had that cute guy André Rieu on my mind. We had met once at his sister Theresa. But he was 13 then and I 15. I remember a Sinterklaas (St.Nicholas) celebration. I celebrated that at Theresa’s, which was more enjoyable. I was an only child and there were six of them. Nothing more than a little chat is all that transpired then. But from that moment on he remained on my mind." Smilingly she says: "I was 27 and a German teacher and when I was organizing a concert for my school and thought of Theresa as a harpist. André and I met again. From that moment on and for six weeks long we wrote each other long letters. André is very romantic. The flame really intensified when I visited him. I arrived on Sunday morning with the intention of leaving again that Sunday evening. But I stayed over and spend the night, truant from work, I was really hooked. Although I am a very good girl. What in André touched you I ask Marjorie: "He was kind to someone else, I think that was it. That Sunday a16 year old fellow student from the conservatory came to him in a panic with a swollen hand. He was so kind to her, I just melted. And to be precise, a week later I told a girlfriend that I thought that what André and I had would be short and intense. It was so emotional, so much. I do not think I would have survived it otherwise. And now, look at us sitting here nearly forty years later; still beautiful!!.

André: "I will never forget that a few months later I sat on the sofa with her father. I asked him permission to marry her. And him posing the question: "So, André, can you provide for her?" I replied honestly: "Well actually it is Marjorie who is providing for me, I am still studying." Marjorie interrupts: "My father roared with laughter. My parents really liked you. And later on, you have more than made up for it. I did less and less teaching. Standing in front of a classroom was not my first love. When you started with the salon orchestra, I did translation work. And slowly, I joined the business. I love music, help with the compositions of the albums. We think and choose a lot together. André takes her hand: "As a child I dreamed that I would find a woman with whom I could do everything together." You made sure that I discovered the "Bummel Petrus" polka. When we were searching for music which the salon orchestra could play back then, we made an appeal for all the Limburgers to look for old music in their attics, but only melodies which Marjorie already knew emerged. Toselli’s serenade, lovely light music. My first "gold" record. Marjorie: "My Jewish father fled the Germans. He had experienced live in Berlin during the 20’s. And the creaking 78 rpm records from that period were the music in my youth. André is a violinist who plays the happy party songs but with the skill of a classical concert violinist. That, I think is André's secret." Marjorie is always home or in the office when the violin virtuoso is touring all over the world. "I do not like to fly" she says laughingly. "And on top of that, André does not want a wife trudging two meters behind him carrying his violin case." He adds: "That’s how the violinists in earlier times came to visit my father. A dreadful sight to behold. No, during our married life I have spent a capital on telephone costs. Because we are always in contact with each other."

Marjorie: "When André is gone for two weeks, I stay in Maastricht. If he is gone on tour for three weeks, like to Australia, then I’ll go for a week’s language course. French, Italian ..... I love languages. But then I go by train. André: "Marjorie is also the business talent here at home. Her father was a businessman and from childhood on Marjorie organized a lot. She had a library in her street and gave ballet lessons to the neighborhood children. In the beginning she even organized a scholarship for me. I had a whole stack of papers lying around and really thought it was too much of a hassle. So I’ll eat a sandwich less, I thought. Luckily Marjorie took control." The Christmas special they are making, is aptly called "Home for Christmas." André: "Universal wanted to use it for the American market for next year’s Christmas. But in the Nederland and Germany the special will be shown this December. Marjorie and I together have thought out the entire process. And so it has become a very personal story." Marjorie: "It was no small task to put a two-hour script together about something. Moreover, a waltz lasts seven minutes. But then there are also many Christmas songs in it, and they can last for up to three minutes. So we came up with our own lives and recorded it entirely here at home, in the city and the church next door to us. Our children and grandchildren can be seen. But not I, which was the agreement." André: "We have spared no expenses. Everything here was sprayed under with real snow".

The couple will spend Christmas Eve with their children and grandchildren. Painter Marc with his wife and their offspring, and Pierre, who works in the company, with his wife and children. Marjorie nods as if she already knows what André is going to say: "With the arrival of the grandchildren, we have discovered a new form of love. And I always tell them very proudly "Grandpa loves Grandma very much!!"

Thanks to Ineke for sending this and John Translating if for us

André Rieu ZDF Special "I Am Home For Christmas"

2011-12-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

André Rieu "I Am Home For Christmas"

For this year's Christmas party Andre Rieu invites the ZDF viewers to a festive Christmas concert at his house, or rather to his snowy winter like garden on December 24 from 8.15 - 10.15PM. Together with his Johann Strauss Orchestra, he will play the most beautiful German and internationally famous Christmas carols.
Contributors are the Platinum Tenors, the sopranos Carla Maffioletti, Mirusia Louwerse and Kimmy Skota, the children's choir "Sjamaas" and the sweet 10-year-old ballerina Rosa. Andre Rieu, with his usual charm, tells how he celebrates Christmas with his family, which customs are celebrated in his house and which beautiful traditions he has maintained from his childhood. And he shows us how he himself decorates the house with great joy.
One of the highlights is undoubtedly the song "Decemberlights", which Andre Rieu composed for his wife, Marjorie, which he will play for you for the first time during this concert . Of course André will be reading a surprising Christmas story of his life under the Christmas tree, which for him has been of great importance for his career as a musician.

The special concludes with a concert in the St. Peter's Church next to his house, by the above mentioned soloists, as well as a performance by the world renowned men's choir "the Mestreechter Staar".

During this evening André Rieu will be playing amongst others the wonderful and famous songs, "Silent Night," "Oh Holy Night," "Every year again," "Oh Christmas Tree," "Adeste Fideles," "Ave Maria," "Hallelujah," but also happy songs like "In the Christmas bakery "(of course in his kitchen!)," Jingle Bells ", "Walking through the winter wonderland "and many others.

André's house and romantic garden were for this wonderful ZDF concert beautifully decorated in a Christmas like atmosphere, whereby it looks like a fairytale castle. Truly a very special Christmas concert which should not be missed!

Thanks to Hexlein and Kathy from the German Fansite for this article and to Ineke and John for translating it for us.

André Rieu Shown on UK Television "Loose Women"

2011-12-06T10:27:00.002-08:00

André did an interview on the UK television show "Loose Women" today.Thank you to Mike W. for recording it for us as it can't be shown in the US and Canada ...

►Click HERE To See André on Loose Women Today

André Rieu Concert Review: Fairfax, VA.

2011-12-02T00:50:00.000-08:00

Review and Photos by Craig Hunter Ross: Over the years, the Patriot Center has played host to hundreds of sporting events and concerts, some undoubtedly more memorable than others. However, opening up the 10,000 seat arena to a large orchestra for an evening of live classical music is definitely a stretch. On this particular night, the large LED marquee outside the venue promised an evening that would be ‘unforgettable’. Combine that adjective with the name Andre Rieu, and suddenly the lofty billing takes on a whole new meaning.

The Patriot Center is located in Fairfax, Virginia , roughly 20 minutes outside Washington , DC on the campus of George Mason University. For most typical shows, when you exit off Braddock Road to the parking grounds, you’re greeted by a couple artist tour buses and maybe a handful of tractor trailers, parked by the road away from the arena. Arriving to see nine semi-tractor trailers and at least 7 motor coaches was definitely an unexpected sight. It further raised the mystery as to what sort of spectacle awaited the audience inside.

As fans descend down the concourse stairs into the arena, they were greeted by the juxtaposition of old world charm and state of the art technology. The stage set was enhanced by a breathtaking view of thousands of elegantly arranged flowers. The fine brass seating and music stands were situated in front of a mammoth LED display that rest below two massive high definition screens, surrounded by a bank of lights.

At 8 p.m. sharp, the sound of “Seventy-Six Trombones” filled the air. The grand entrance begins. From the back of the arena, the members of the Johann Strauss Orchestra make their way toward the front in grand parade style. The men are formerly attired in full tuxedo garb. The women are adorned in colorful bejeweled gowns. They are led in all their resplendent glory by the “Flying Dutchman” himself, Andre Rieu.

Once the parade of players is positioned on the beautifully designed stage, it’s more than appropriate the evening commences with the orchestra performing “Voices of Spring” by Strauss. The sheer joy of watching Andre Rieu conduct his ‘symphony of color’ is matched only by machinations of the conductor himself. His unbridled enthusiasm carried over to the musicians on stage. This ‘all world’ assembly of players were often seen smiling and exchanging laughs throughout every piece performed. Besides being masters at their trades, they were well rehearsed in audience interaction as well. For instance, as the audience was treated to beautiful renditions of Abe Holzmann’s famous march, “Blaze Away” and Emile Waldteufel’s “The Skaters Waltz”, the sight gags among the gentlemen in the orchestra had the crowd laughing.

As for highlights of this show, literally, where do you begin? The Platinum Tenors – Gary Bennett, Bela Mavrak and Thomas Greuel – delivered a flawless version of “Heut’ ist der schonste Tag” followed by Puccini’s aria, “Nessun Dorma”. The delivery was so stirring it literally left many in the audience somewhat teary-eyed.
A flawless master showman, Rieu instinctively knew that following a highly emotional song, a change of pace was in order. Thus he led the orchestra in Thomas Koschat’s famous German folk song, “Snow Waltz.” While the LED display beamed a winter scene in Holland , those seated on the floor noticed a gentle snow begin to fall upon them. That gentle snow by waltz’s end was literally 3-4 inches deep on the arena floor to the delight and whimsy of Rieu and those who chose to purchase the less expense seats in the lower bowl and upper levels. With the crowd in absolute hysterics, Rieu proclaimed “Isn’t it nice to enjoy life!” to rousing applause.

Following a brief intermission, Rieu took the opportunity to single out those late to return to their seats, resulting in great rounds of laughter as embarrassed concert goers realized they were the focus of attention on the massive high definition screens above.

The evening would continue with classic waltzes, beautiful arias and crisp versions of legendary opera pieces and show tunes. High points included “Vilia” from The Merry Widow as sung by South Africa’s Kimmy Skota and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from Evita, sung by Australia ‘s Mirusia Louwerse. You could have heard a pin drop during both, before being encompassed within the deafening applause and standing ovations, both of which were frequent through the night.

The evening wouldn’t have been complete without “The Beautiful Blue Danube”, perhaps the most well-known composition by Strauss, during which the house lights were raised to reveal numerous couples of all ages waltzing in the aisles. The second and final set concluded with an incredibly powerful version of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus”, which sent the audience soaring into the heavens. Countless encores and a massive balloon drop would follow.

Tonight’s show more than exceeded its marquee billing. It’s no wonder that the Wall Street Journal called Andre Rieu the “Maestro for the Masses.” It’s also not surprising that Rieu’s current trek around the globe ranks as one of the top grossing tours in 2011, beating out the likes of country sensation Taylor Swift and pop icon Elton John.

The true brilliance behind Andre Rieu is this. Regardless of your musical tastes or inclinations, this master conductor gently guides outside your comfort zone to enjoy the real beauty of music. He brings you into a world of sight and sound that challenges and delights all your senses. The power of music is on wonderful display during this show and is expertly handled by this incredible violinist / composer and conductor. Yes, it was an ‘unforgettable’ evening, and then some.

André Rieu 2011 Christmas Special

2011-11-29T11:26:00.000-08:00

For Months In a Christmas Atmosphere

Chapeau Nov/Dec 2011: It's not that we wanted to be first, but I think this year we decorated the Christmas tree much earlier than the garden centers which they normally do fairly early ... And with us it was not only "the Christmas tree" itself, but almost an entire pine forest, a complete larger than life nativity, a church, a castle, gardens, terraces, just to name a few.

It has been Christmas time in and around our castle since this summer, and even a "White Christmas"! And all that because of a request by ZDF (German TV Channel) to produce a huge Christmas Concert for Christmas Eve. Well, we knew that! First we thought about doing recordings at only one single location; for example, in a large barn, or in the caves of Valkenburg. But by now you know that we do not do things half way, we always prefer to produce something very special. Marjorie and I came up with more and more ideas, and we could envision them all.

In addition, my record company wanted to have a DVD for the U.S. market, titled: "Home for Christmas". So we transformed the garden of our castle "De Torentjes" ("The little towers") into a magical winter scene, completely in a Christmas atmosphere. Especially for the American market, we recorded pieces like "Jingle Bells" and "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" at the Casino Slavante, which was transformed for this occasion into a Swiss chalet, and decorated according to American standards with very many lights and glitter. The last part of the Christmas special was recorded in the St. Peter's Church, opposite our house, with the men’s choir "Maastreechter Staar" and the children’s choir "Sjamaas". Days, evenings and nights long we recorded everything. Now I understand why shooting a big Hollywood movie takes so long! When you want one minute of good material, you are busy for hours.

And it even resembled a bit of Hollywood, with all the attributes and techniques we acquired. The snow machines for instance, came from Hollywood and provided complete snow carpets. The fall of 2011 which was so extremely hot, we played with the orchestra dressed in heavy sweaters and woolen hats. With temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius (81F) at night, it was almost unbearable! The audience too sat in winter coats and fur hats on the terrace of Slavante, with Christmas bread and hot mulled wine, while they would have preferred a cool rosé, or a nice refreshing cool beer! But everyone still enjoyed the great atmosphere, including us as well as the public.

As a television special, this one was the biggest we have produced up until now. In fact it was as large an operation as the reconstruction of Schnbrunn castle, but this time the bookkeeping turned out a lot better! All in all, we’ll look back with pleasure on all the preparations and recordings. And the result is fantastic! Marjorie thinks (and she thinks that every time) this was the best we have ever produced. And we are also very proud that we again have been able to create another wonderful product in our own city. The progress of Maastricht in DVD land is unstoppable. For those who would like to view this special: it will be broadcast by ZDF on December 24th at 8.15PM. (CET) ZDF Television show, a mammoth production.

The television directing was done by Limburger Lida Huver, who previously directed the wonderful special of the flower island Mainau for us. The production itself, we, Marjorie and I, do ourselves together with our own people. No, there is not a ZDF director, or someone from Hollywood involved. We do appreciate the fact that ZDF trusts us in that aspect, and by now we know so very well what we want, so that everything almost goes automatically. Well sort of, but all by itself? No, of course not ... it too was an incredible amount of work. Marjorie sighed: "I thought you wanted to take it a little easier, we have never been busier!"

And "In between" we also did, as it happened, our normal tours, such as to America and Mexico where the audience went crazy again. This year we will again go to America and will also do a few performances in the neighborhood, such as in Brussels, Hasselt and Arnhem. In the meantime we are also very busy with the preparation for the first performances in Brazil in May. The way it looks right now, it is going to explode there, since there seems to be so much interest there. It is possible that we might have to go back there again in the summer, so that for us will become a new and important destination ... But in the meantime our family and grandchildren will definitely take time to really celebrate Christmas, which I find every year for myself to be a wonderful time of relaxation and cozy togetherness. We do not need to put up the Christmas tree any more, everything is ready and that does make a difference ... André Rieu

Thanks to Ineke and John for the Translation of this article

The André Rieu Story on UK Television (video)

2011-11-27T12:32:00.001-08:00

Thanks so much to Mike Worsdell for recording this and posting it right away.

►The André Rieu Story on UK Television Part One

►The André Rieu Story on UK Television Part Two

André Rieu Delivers a Fun-Filled Show in Buffalo

2011-11-22T10:51:00.000-08:00

Violinist Rieu Delivers a Fun-Filled Show in Buffalo

Andre Rieu, dapper violinist and leader of the Johann Strauss Orchestra, was in town on Monday, playing First Niagara Center. He gave us a show to remember.

This was my first time seeing Rieu live, and I will be seeing his smiling face in my dreams. Rieu had fun in Buffalo. You could tell. Buffalonians, so free of vanity, gave him plenty of opportunity for his unique vaudeville humor.

►Click HERE To Read Full Review ... ►Click HERE For a Second Review

André Rieu Appears on UK "Strictly Come Dancing"

2011-11-13T12:48:00.000-08:00

►Click HERE to watch André on "Strictly Come Dancing"

Thanks to Mike W. for posting this for us right away ...

Mirusia's Interview This Week With English Subtitles

2011-11-12T11:47:00.000-08:00

A post from Mirusia's Facebook today, Nov.12, 2011: Hi to all my friends who don't speak Dutch and would like to still watch the documentary I was featured in this week: Navigate to: ►http://www.andrerieu-movies.com/Mirusia_081111.html for a sub-titled version! Thanks to Ineke and Ruud and John for putting this up on their site ...... From Mirusia. x

André Rieu: I Would Prefer to Play in My Own Country

2011-11-04T02:12:00.000-07:00

André Rieu in Arnhem For His Christmas Concert

"I would prefer to play in my own country"

November 3, 2011: André Rieu’s popularity continues to expand. After Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Mexico, the United States and Canada, it is now Great Britain’s turn. Invariably his concerts attract sold out venues, which makes Rieu one of the best selling artist in the world. Currently one can find the Maastricht World star primarily abroad, but in December he and his Johann Strauss Orchestra will return to the Netherlands for a unique Christmas Concert in the Arnhem Gelredome. Our reporter interviewed the "King of the Waltz".

►The Christmas concert promises to be a spectacular and impressive evening. Could you just lift a corner of the veil for us already?

"Just like every year I bring a new program with lots of surprises. What the concert precisely entails, I will right now keep that to myself. I can tell you though that the Viennese dance school Elmayer, the Soweto Gospel Choir, the Harlem Gosper Choir and the "Trio St. Petersburg" will be performing. That in itself should be enough to look forward to".

"This I never dared to dream"

►You achieve significant global successes which cause you not to be in the Netherlands as often. What is it like to occasionally perform in your own country"

Throught the year we perform all over the world so we indeed have few opportunites to perorm in our own country. No matter how fantastic those concerts abroad are, nothing is more beautiful then to be able to perform on ones own soil. And then it does not matter if it is in Amsterdam, Arnhem or Maastricht.

►With your popular classical works by for instance Johann Strauss, you have been loved by a wide audience for the past 25 years. Now you are one of the best selling artists in the world:

That's right. Just incredible. I am extremely proud. "It is so very nice to see that the public appreciates you and that after all is who you do it for.

►You are being appreciated by name to the fact that you are making classical music available to a wide audience. What do you think is your strength?
"I find it important to give the public the feeling that there is interaction, by for instance, looking them straight into the eyes. In addition, my orchestra and I have a lot of fun on stage and that radiates out. There is a definite interaction when the audience is entertained, and they in turn entertain us. And without a doubt the reverse is true also. In addition I find it important that people can show their emotions during a concert. Classical music is extremely beautiful and can bring a lot to the surface. That’s why there is dancing, laughter and tears during my concerts. Moreover, we pay a lot of attention to the appearance of the concert. Not only for the ears, but the eyes want something too. All that together makes the public feel good and enjoy themselves.

►You have millions of fans all over the world. One of them is the world renowned actor Anthony Hopkins who composed the waltz "And the Waltz goes on" with the request that you and your orchestra specifically perform this waltz. Last summer you played his composition for the first time in Austria. Why did you react to his request?
"I am an enormous Anthony Hopkins fan. When a celebrity like him - maybe one of the world’s greatest actors – asks me to execute a waltz, I do not have to think about that for one single minute. Ironically I immediately fell in love with it the first time I heard his piece."

►What does Hopkins’ appreciation do for you?
"I find it to be very special. And the nice thing is that the appreciation and respect are mutual. We clicked immediately when we first met. Hopkins is a very passionate man, besides being a fantastic actor and talented composer. In the meantime through our cooperation a wonderful friendship has evolved."

►You also landed on English soil this year. With your music DVD’s you reached first place, ahead of Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson. A new mile-stone?
"Of course. England for us is a new market. That we achieved a number one placing there is an enormous honor and gives us a fantastic feeling. Especially when you see how tough the competition is."

►The more popular you become the larger and more spectacular your shows. It seems that every concert surpasses the last one. Is there a limit?
"I do not think it can be any crazier or surpass the concert of 2008 in Vienna with the Schönbrunn Castle. That was a gigantic project. Maybe financially it was not the best decision we ever made, but commercially it was the best promotion worldwide we could have ever wished for. So we strive every time to come up with something new and original. And it does not need to be bigger or even more spectacular. But if you have been on stage successfully for more than thirty years, you cannot keep coming up with the same things all the time."

►Where does you inspiration come from every time?
"There is an enormous amount of beautiful music out there, so inspiration is not the problem. The trick is to come up with a fascinating and surprisingly varied program time and time again. That is something that my wife and I have been very busy with for many years. She, for me is the driving force behind the scenes.

"I was born with my violin and will die with it."

►You describe your relationship with the orchestra as kind of a marriage. Please explain.

We are one large family. Together we perform more than 120 concerts in a year, so we spend a lot of time together. There are times when I see my colleagues more than my own family. I am very proud of the bond we all maintain. That does not only pertain to the members of the orchestra, but to my technical people as well. Only with such a tight-knit group can you work closely together in harmony and respect."

►With your violin you also have a lifelong love affair. You have been playing this instrument since you were five years old, and in the meantime you have surpassed sixty. Do you have any plans to ever lay the violin down next to you?"
I do not think so. I rise with it and go to bed with it. You could say I was born with a violin in my arms, and undoubtedly will die with one too."

►Ever thought that as a violinist you would be so successful?
"I have always been convinced that the manner in which I make music and attract people to my concerts would be successful. But that it would assume such proportions, I never dared to dream. That I, together with my Johann Strauss Orchestra, am allowed to experience that, that makes me the happiest man in the world.

Thanks to Ineke and Rini for sending this and John for Translating it.

Special Thanks to the artist who sent us his paintings of André and Limburg.

Why It Doesn't Matter What Critics Think About André Rieu

2011-11-01T12:34:00.000-07:00

Why It Doesn't Matter What Critics Think About André Rieu

Billboard.biz: November 1, 2011: The man known as "the Waltz King" has sold more than 30 million CDs and DVDs globally, according to his record company. He had the seventh highest-grossing U.S. tour mid-year, netting $46,052,472 and filling 436,604 seats, according to Billboard Boxscore. Some would argue he's done more for orchestral music than the invention of the violin. And now Dutch conductor and violinist André Rieu releases his latest album, "And The Waltz Goes On" (Decca) on November 7 -- a disc featuring a specially written piece by Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Conducting his 43-strong Johan Strauss orchestra with his violin bow and rock-star demeanor, Rieu's energetic concerts (don't call them "shows" -- he gets cross) have wowed the world. And he's revived the much-mocked waltz form in the process.

He has had four Top 10 albums on the U.S Classical Crossover chart, charted 19 Top 10 albums on the Traditional Classical chart (including five number ones) and his total U.S. album sales equal 1.3 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan. He also had the highest-charting orchestral album ever in the U.K in 2010, with "Forever Vienna" (Decca).

The waltz, says Rieu, is in his genes: "My father was a conductor and he would often play Strauss waltzes. I discovered that when he gave concerts the audience were quiet, almost scared to breathe. But when he played waltzes there was something in the air. They would smile and sometimes even hum."

"The waltz is an attitude," he continues. "It's easy for classical orchestras to play Beethoven badly and get away with it. But when you play a waltz badly, it sounds rubbish."

And as far as he's concerned, the form isn't paid the respect it deserves. "So often," he says, "it's seen as something to do in the last five minutes of a concert." But with a good waltz, he says, "there is melancholy and joy at the same time. It's a mirror of life. When you hear Shostakovich's second waltz it sounds like, 'give me another beer'."

He appears to have an almost universal appeal. "My audience is everybody," Rieu claims, "I see the professor sitting next to the cleaning woman."

"He makes presentation and performance a fun, enjoyable and totally memorable experience for his audience," explains Mark Wilkinson, Decca's managing director, "making for a very wide appeal amongst an older demographic." Marketing on TV has been key. "The theatricality and the spectacle makes TV the driving medium," Wilkinson says, "with advertising complementing timely performances that are targeted towards the older, more 'passive' music consumer."

Rieu is sanguine about classical purists who call his music trivial: "Who cares? People come to my concerts and I do a good job. And what is pure classical music anyway?"

Rieu is touring North America from Nov. 19 (Washington) until Nov. 30 (Connecticut). Each of his concerts is different from the one the day before, and - unlike many conductors -- he always faces the audience. "Things happen in the audience and I react to it," he explains. "I really want them to be with me."

This laissez-faire attitude extends to his career path as well. So he can't predict what he'll be doing at this time next year. "I don't plan that far ahead," he laughs. "Sometimes I read about opera singers who have their life planned out for the next ten years. That's not me, I would suffocate. There's plenty of time anyway. I'm 62 now, and I am going to live until I am 120."

André Rieu Misses Out on The Mexican Grammy

2011-10-28T00:14:00.000-07:00

André Rieu Misses Out on The Mexican Grammy

Mexico City: October 27, 2011 - Mexico's most prestigious music prize eluded the Limburg violinist André Rieu. The world famous "King of Waltz" was nominated for the coveted Lunas Award, but last night had to yield to Placido Domingo.

The ceremony took place in the Concerto Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, where Rieu performed earlier this month for 50,000 delirious fans. Rarely has a famous artist been able to completely sell out this arena five times in a row all by himself.

Previous winners of the Lunas Award were Paul McCartney and Elton John. Precisely due to Rieu's highly successful concert tour and the huge sales of his musical items this year (around 100,000 CDs and 50,000 DVDs), the Maastricht musician appeared to be a serious candidate. Dutch DJ Tiësto was nominated once before for the Mexican Grammy.

Thanks to John for sending and Translating this for us

André Rieu UK Tour ~ December 2012

2011-10-12T01:23:00.000-07:00

Wed 12 Oct 2011: André & his Johann Strauss Orchestra will return to the UK in December 2012! André will kick off his tour in Belfast, followed by 5 concerts in Glasgow, Manchester, New Castle, London and Birmingham.
"My main goal, every concert, is for people to have an unforgettable night. I like to talk to my audience, interact with them and look them in the eyes. People can expect a colorful concert, with beautiful melodies, waltzes, surprises, balloons, the tenors and our lovely sopranos. I am really looking forward to visiting my fans in the UK again." said André ....... Tickets will go on sale on Friday October 14th at 9am.
TOUR DATES
December 10th 2012 – Odyssey Arena Belfast, 8pm
December 12th 2012 – SECC Glasgow, 8pm
December 14th 2012 – MEN Arena Manchester, 8pm
December 15th 2012 – Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Upon Tyne, 8pm
December 16th 2012 – The O2 London, 7:30pm
December 18th 2012 – LG Arena Birmingham, 8pm
►André Rieu.com

André Rieu Conquers Mexico!

2011-10-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

With The Country's Flag Draped Over His Shoulder,

André Rieu is Bringing Down the Roof All Over Mexico

RIEU CONQUERS MEXICO: The Maastricht violinist and orchestra leader is at the top of the CD/DVD sales list, receives lyrical criticism from the press, and for days now has been bringing down the roof in one of Mexico City's largest auditoriums playing for a totally enthusiastic audience. He emotionally brings 10,000 fans to tears lauded the Mexican Newspaper "Reforma" about his first performance this past weekend. Countless attendees danced in the isles to the music of Rieu's Stradivarius violin and his Johan Strauss Orchestra. Even famous Mexican artists did not want to miss out on the "Charismatic Dutchman" and mingled with the fun loving public. The Mexican success is just the beginning for Rieu in Latin America. "In May we are going to Brazil, followed by Argentina and Chile. Brazil is going to explode" said the very satisfied musician at the end of one of his sold out concerts.

Thanks to the extensive sales of his illegally copied/pirated CD's/DVD's, tickets for his live concerts are not to be found. "I was stunned,'' says Rieu."Last year we thought, let's try Mexico, where I seemed to already have been world famous in the streets, thanks to the illegal sales in numerous market stands", said the Limburg citizen after the completion of one of his performances. The Stradivarius player can laugh about the piracy. Ticket sales for his concerts are going like a run-away train. Besides the nearly 50,000 tickets sold in Mexico City, there are another 13,500 tickets sold by the Limburger in Guadalajara and another 5,000 in Monterrey.

"There are good laws in Mexico against piracy, but apparently it is a sport to be flexible and deal with them," jokes the musician. "I'm not worried about these illegal copies or downloads. My audience would still prefer an origional disc in their hands." The official sales numbers indicate as such for the Limburger violinist. For example, Rieu and his Mexican Fiesta Mexicana DVD are at the top of the sales charts, surpassing Amy Winehouse. He also occupies the first, fifth and ninth places in top 10 best selling CDs.

"Mexico could use a little happiness," he told a grateful audience Saturday evening, referring to the drug war which sadly is tearing the country apart. It is peculiar though that Rieu will also visit Monterrey, where violence has been escalating for months. "Yes, we are going to go there. We played in Christchurch, New Zealand, one day after the earthquake. Our hotel was not even standing anymore. But the audience loved it," says the world famous Limburger.

Thanks to Ineke for the Telegraph newspaper article and John for Translating it

André Rieu A Privilege To Make People Happy

2011-10-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

A Privilege TO MAKE OTHERS HAPPY

CHAPEAU MAGAZINE: During the concerts on the Vrijthof and afterwards while watching them again on Television, I once more realized what a privileged individual I am by making so many people happy with our music. When you look at those images from the Vrijthof and see how intense the people live along, sing along, yes and even play along and even stand there conducting, that is so wonderful to see: they are totally immersed in the music and for a few hours they totally forget their problems. That is so incredibly beautiful; it really gives you goose bumps. It makes me feel happy and that gives so much joy in life.

We were again extremely lucky with the weather during our Vrijthof concerts. Although the summer was really awful, only one of the six concerts we performed, fell in the water, but not literally though. Although it rained the entire evening, there was not one single concertgoer who left. Everyone stayed and experienced under their poncho, with no more than a few soggy shoes, a very wonderful evening.

I myself found this year again to be a great experience. It was obviously very special since Sir Anthony Hopkins came all the way over to Maastricht to listen to our concerts and experience the Dutch premier of his waltz "And the Waltz goes on". He was unbelievable enthusiastic and said he had never experienced anything like it. For my orchestra and I, that of course is a great compliment. It was nice to see how he sat amidst the audience on the square really enjoying himself. We have become close friends; in some way we each clicked. We call and send text messages regularly and in the meantime he has sent me other music. I also want to review that. How everything will turn out, I do not know yet, but it feels good to work with him, and that gives a creative boost which we both find agreeable.

What strikes me is that the concerts on the Vrijthof are becoming ever more international. People from truly all over the world come to Maastricht. This year there were 78 nationalities. They may not even have seen me in their own country, but they definitely want to come to the Vrijthof and experience how I play in my own city. That they do not understand the Maastricht dialect apparently does not bother them. They come for the music and atmosphere.

►Next Year we will move back to the First and Second Weekend of July ... (Maastricht 2012 Concert dates, July 6,7,8 and 13, 14, 15)

Organizational wise it is a lot easier and it does make a difference to a lot of people who have not yet gone on vacation. This time we had to take into consideration the Holy Shrine Procession, which we happily did, and that for me was again an inspiration for the configuration of the program. Every year I like to reference to something that is happening in Maastricht or its environment.

And yes, after many years I was finally able to really enjoy a holiday. At least, whatever my meaning of holidays is. No, we did not lie on the beach, that’s not for me. And we did not visit any foreign countries or cities, since I'm already on the road the entire year. We stayed nicely at home, although we actually did spend one day at sea. Ha-ha. Primarily I stayed at home and practiced my violin, wonderful. And of course together with Marjorie we worked on new ideas. "The Waltz Goes On" but then of course without pressure or deadlines, that does make a difference. The office was closed so a lot fewer telephone calls and messages. That in itself was already a vacation.

►The Public at the Vrijthof concerts is becoming more International

But now we are fully back and underway; America, Mexico, England, Brazil. And now the necessary air miles are coming back into play. But we will also perform closer to home. In December, we perform another concert in the Gelredome, which will also include the spectacular act of Mirusia Louwerse flying through the air like Mary Poppins. The Limburgers who stay at home will not have to lose sight of us. On Saturday October 1, our new special "Wien, du stadt meiner Träume" (Vienna, you City of my Dreams) will be aired by ZDF, one of the most beautiful recordings we've ever made. And then a new Christmas special will be aired on Christmas Eve, also by ZDF, "Weihnachten bin ich zu Haus" (At Christmastime I will be Home) totally recorded in our castle "De Torentjes" (the towers) in Maastricht. And because St. Peter wanted to do something special because of that one Vrijthof concert, he made it snow here in August. A little early? Maybe yes, but winter had come a little early this year anyway .......... André
Thanks to Ineke for sending this and John's Translation of it

Mirusia Dancing the Charleston!

2011-10-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

Mirusia Posted This on Her Facebook Today

"Watch me dance the Charleston in this short clip from the new DVD by Andre Rieu: 'Vienna: City of my Dreams' " ... ►Click HERE To Watch Mirusia!!

Snowfall Today in Maastricht at André Rieu's Castle

2011-10-03T05:32:00.000-07:00

October 1, 2011: The warmest October first since we started measuring temperatures and still it is snowing in Maastricht. But rather just locally though, in the gardens and inner court of André Rieu's Castle.

Not real snow, but artificial snow. Rieu's staff has been very busy transforming the atmosphere of the castle into a Magic Winter Wonderland. It is all needed for the TV recordings for the traditional "Christmas Special" which Rieu is making for the German TV.

A rather strange sight: In front of the house people are swimming in and sailing on the river Maas. But with the violinist himself it is mid winter!!

Thanks to Kathrin for the article and John/Ineke Translating it. Thanks to Ineke for the Christmas Castle Picture.

André Rieu's TV Special Oct. 1, 2011 on ZDF

2011-09-30T00:58:00.000-07:00

André Rieu's ZDF TV Special

To Bring Ode To The Mother City Of Waltz, Vienna

Maastricht Aktueel: September 29, 2011 André Rieu's new TV special "Wien, du Stadt meiner Träume"(Vienna, You City of My Dreams) will be premiered on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 8:15 PM by the German TV station ZDF. With this special the Maastricht world star wants to pay tribute to the city of the waltz. According to André Rieu the absolute highpoint of the performance will be the waltz composed by film star Sir Anthony Hopkins "And the Waltz Goes On". At least for the TV viewers. This waltz was previously performed by Rieu, during the Maastricht concerts.

Homage To Vienna
This special is completely composed of famous Viennese waltzes, marches, songs and famous Viennese operettas. The stand-alone violinist and his Johann Strauss Orchestra are supported by guest appearances of the Vienna Debutantes from Vienna's famous Elmayer dance school . Rieu also gives a special behind the scenes look in this special. In this case, literally. In addition, the viewer also gets to see how the famous Austrian Schönbrunn castle was reconstructed.

Sir Anthony Hopkins' Waltz
For him, especially this year it was a complete surprise says André Rieu from his castle in Maastricht, when he unsuspectingly entered the Marble Room of the Belvedere castle, and very shortly thereafter was honored by the Republic of Austria with the "Gold Medal of Merit". That same night was also the world premiere of Sir Anthony Hopkins' waltz, "And the waltz goes on ". In order to be present for this affair, Anthony Hopkins and his wife were especially flown over from Los Angeles.

Rieu World Tour
For the fans, the André Rieu circus is back in full swing. This week he visited the British show of Alan Titchmarsh. Next week he starts with a series of eight concerts in Mexico, followed by two tours in U.S. and Canada. In November and December, he will perform four concerts in Brussels, Antwerp and Hasselt. In December Rieu will again perform in the Netherlands with a concert in the Gelredome for which he has especially flown in The Harlem Gospel Choir and the Soweto Gospel Choir. These choirs previously performed this year during his yearly concert series on the Vrijthof Square.

Finally, this weekend, in and around André Rieu's Castle at the foot of the St. Peter, several recordings will be made for his Christmas Special. In apparently very summer like conditions a winter atmosphere will be created and Christmas songs played.

Thanks To John for his Translation of this article

André Rieu ZDF "Vienna City of My Dreams"

2011-09-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

André Rieu, "Vienna City of My Dreams"

Saturday October 1, 2011 on ZDF

Presseportal, Germany: "André Rieu, Vienna, City of My Dreams", star violinist meets world star Anthony Hopkins. It will happen on October 1st, 2011 at 8:15 PM in three-quarter time with André Rieu, traveling through Vienna. Barbara Wussow and the star violinist will travel in a carriage through the city of waltzes and present to the ZDF viewers the points of interest of this Habsburg city.

"Vienna, City of My Dreams" is a tribute to the city of Vienna, which starts with an André Rieu concert in Vienna's city hall. The Maestro and his Johann Strauss Orchestra present in an incomparable manner the most beautiful waltzes and Viennese songs. Also appearing are the Platinum Tenors, sopranos Mirusia Louwerse, Kalki Schrijvers and Kimmy Skota.

It is no wonder that for his contribution in spreading the Viennese music all over the world, Rieu has now received the highest honor: In July he received the "Golden Medal for Services to the Republic of Austria" at the Belvedere Castle, where the carriage ride with Barbara Wussow also happens to end. In the castle André Rieu meets Sir Anthony Hopkins. The superstar who not only is a fan of the violinist, and what was far less known, is even a musician and composer. One of the best conditions for the cooperation between the two.

Thanks to Elke Bliefering from the German Fansite for this and Johns Translation of it

André Rieu Number ONE in England!!

2011-09-27T14:04:00.000-07:00

André Rieu Number ONE in England!!

September 27, 2011: Everything is going great for André Rieu in England, as it happens his DVD is in first place. The Limburg Maestro's music is consumed there like tea and biscuits.

André Rieu is extremely proud to have his disk as number 1, "Ahead of Justin Bieber and ahead of Michael Jackson!" André told RTL Boulevard jubilantly on Tuesday, "it is unimaginable. This DVD, which we made in Mexico, was the one that Universal in the beginning did not want to have anything to do with, and now we are Number 1 with it in the UK!"

André almost attained that coveted top spot last year, but then the folks from "Take That" threw a wrench in the works.

Thanks to John and Ineke for this

Carla Maffioletti Joins André Rieu's Mexico Tour

2011-09-27T02:12:00.000-07:00

Carla Announces Joining Tour in Mexico!

For all the fans in Mexico ... ►Carla Maffioletti has just announced on her FB Page that she will be joining André on his Tour in Mexico!! That tour also includes San Antonio and Dallas, so we would (think) she'd be at those 2 concerts also.

André Rieu JSO Members in Their Spare Time!

2011-09-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

New Page! JSO Members in Their Spare Time

A Great NEW Page Ineke and Ruud have created on their Website! ► Click HERE To See JSO Members In Their Spare Time!

Many JSO members participate in other musical events when not performing on tour. We have created a new page on this website dedicated to current and ex JSO members performing away from the JSO environment. Marcel Falize has formed a new percussion group called “Lift -Off”. Frank Steijns travels with his mobile carillon, Linda Custers and Renate Dirix (ex JSO member) are members of the medieval rock band “Reïncarnatus”. Carla and Carmen free lance with solo performances ... Ineke and Ruud

Haley Westenra Sings on André Rieu's New CD!

2011-09-25T02:00:00.000-07:00

Haley Westenra Sings 'Dreaming of New Zealand'

On André Rieu's New CD "And The Waltz Goes On"

Translation from Elke Bliefering's 'Rieu~Treff' ... If you look at Andre Rieu's web site, at the track listing of his new CD, and you were able to listen to the excerpts of the songs, you may have noticed two things: One song track is on the CD twice, once as an instrumental version and the other at the end of the track listing with a vocalist. The track in question, "Dreaming of New Zealand". The music was composed by André himself, and as a vocalist he selected the young Hayley Westenra, a singer with an amazing voice! Renate, had googled her and found videos of Hayley and forwarded me the following link: ► Click HERE To The Link . I was thrilled, and spent some time on youtube, watching more videos of this young singer. And of course I wanted to know who this singer with the great voice actually was.

Hayley Dee Westenra (born April 10, 1987) is a singer from Christchurch, New Zealand, with Irish and Dutch roots. Currently she lives mostly in London. Her parents Jill and Gerald Westenra have two younger children, Sophie and Isaac.There is quite a musical background in their family. Her grandmother Shirley Ireland was a singer and her grandfather a pianist. At an early age of six, Hayley appeared on stage the first time. She sang the lead role in a musical nativity play. A teacher advised her mother Jill, that Hayley should learn to play an instrument in order to advance her talent. Soon afterwards she learned to read music, play the violin, piano, guitar and recorder. At age 11 she had already participated in over 40 stage productions, sung on TV shows and had appeared in major concerts.

In 2000, at the age of 12, Westenra recorded her first CD. Followed by additional recording contracts, which made Hayley first in New Zealand known and famous and then later on internationally. In 2003 her first international album "Pure" was released. "Pure" was the best-selling debut album in the history of the "UK Classical Charts." In New Zealand "Pure" became 12-times platinum. With that, Hayley Westenra holds the sales record in the history of the country, regardless of genre.

Hayley has received several international awards and on 5 September 2006 was the first New Zealander to be awarded as one of the ten outstanding young people in the world, the Junior Chamber International award.

In August 2006, Hayley Westenra was a member of Celtic Woman. ► You can see them singing HERE . In June 2007 she and the group toured the U.S. where they were scheduled to perform in 88 venues across the country. When the tour ended, they went their separate ways.

Her latest album is called "Paradiso" and was released in England in August and will be released in the US in October ... Below are some links on Haley.

► Haley Westenra Website
► Haley Westenra on Wikipedia
► Haley Singing Pokarekare Ana on Youtube

Our Thanks to Elke for letting John translate this from her German Fansite

Photos of André Rieu in Canada 2011

2011-09-25T00:43:00.000-07:00

John And Bobbie at Their Concerts in Canada

Click HERE To See John's Pictures That He Took!

André Rieu New CD/DVD "Wiener Festwaltzer"

2011-09-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

"Wiener Festwaltzer" (Viennese Party Waltzes)

To Be Released September 30, 2011

TRACKLIST of CD 01.Wiener Festwalzer 02. Wien wird bei Nacht erst schön 03. And the waltz goes on 04. Susie (if you knew Susie) 05. Dreaming of New Zealand 06. Wien bleibt Wien 07. Ich muss wieder einmal in Grinzing sein 08. Tanze mit mir in den Morge 09. La petite valse 10. Are you lonesome tonight? 11. Du kannst nicht treu sein 12. Valse triste 13. Blue tango 14. Rot sind die Rosen 15. Singing in the rain 16. We’ll meet again 17. Dreaming of New Zealand (Instrumental)

Track List of DVD 1. Intro: André & *Barbara 02. Voices of spring 03. Blaze away 04. The skaters waltz 05. Heut ist der schönste Tag 06. Snow waltz 07. Viennese blood 08. Andre & Barbara II 09. Entry march 10. Fächerpolonaise 11. Roses from the south 12. My heart will go on 13. Andre & Barbara III 14. Viennese citizen 15. A little night music 16. Gold and silver 17. Andre & Barbara IV 18. The viennese fiaker song 19. Andre & Barbara V.
*Barbara is the actress/TV personality Barbara Wussow. She is very famous in Germany and Austria. She did the Special together with André as hostess.

Thanks to Mike C. and Maik S. for the Info. and Covers on these.

A Funny Thing Happened During Intermission

2011-09-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

A Funny Thing Happened During Intermission

Cute Concert Story From Al Girard

At The Edmonton Concert: André and the Johann Strauss Orchestra take only a fifteen minute intermission, and when they return to the stage André always teases the people who are late coming back to their seats. The cameras get shots of some of them as they search for their seat, sometimes forgetting where it is. This is quite fun, and sometimes very funny, and it can take five to ten minutes before everyone is seated and the program can resume.

In Edmonton, my good friend John Berry provided an unexpected turn of events. He and his wife Mirna were sitting next to me for the concert which was their first. At the beginning of intermission, John went to the concession.

When the orchestra and André did their usual late-comer tease, André said "Okay, is everybody back?" And then here came John, carrying drinks. He had bought one for himself, one for Mirna and one for me.

Well, there he was on the big screens. When John saw himself up there, he walked up to André and handed him a glass of wine. André said, "What is it?" John hollered back "red wine." André didn't drink it, but the orchestra and everyone absolutely cracked up in laughter.

Report from André Rieu Photographer Contest Winner!

2011-09-13T16:26:00.000-07:00

Calgary Concert Report

From an 'Official Photographer' Winner!

I have been to the Calgary Concert and what a concert it was! I was the lucky one that was chosen to be the "Official Photographer" and got 2 tickets and a camera. I could hardly wait to leave the house to go to the concert. I took my cousin who had never been to an André Rieu concert before but likes his music.

When we came to the box office the tickets and the camera were all ready for me. With some picture I.D. they gave it to me. So, we went in, looked for our seats, right in front of the stage (row eight, seats 22 and 23) It could not have been better! We sat down and who did I see? John and Bobbie de Jong from California.

I went to say hello and met Marthijn Graafland who sent me the email saying that I won The Official Photographer Contest. John took some pictures of me and I took some pictures of them. And then the concert started.

André came up the isle as usual waving to the people. One of the songs they played was the “Skaters Waltz”. He started to explain how much snow they had in Maastricht and that we, Calgarians, would not understand it. Boy, all the people started to laugh!!! Right now we can see the mountains from here and are covered with snow already!!

Small snow flakes started to fall on us in the first rows and bit by bit it started to “snow” harder and harder. I told my cousin that it should start to snow more and more because I had seen it on one of Andre’s DVD’s before. And before we knew it, we got a huge load on our heads!!! WE WERE COVERED!!!!!! The people of the Saddle dome sure had some cleaning up to do. Including ALL the balloons coming down!!! Thousands of them!!

I was a bit disappointed that Frank Steins was not there and Ruud, Lynn’s husband and the girl that sits beside Teun. My favourite person Manoe played excellent again as usual! The Encores were very good and André told us to go home again, but played again some more. We enjoyed the concert very much. My cousin LOVED it!!

I took only 72 pictures! One of the pictures I like to show how much “snow” came down. Another one, André told this lady to check her bosom!

The write up in the Calgary Herald was very good. All I can say is, the people that were not there: you sure missed something! Make sure you go see him next time. We had a wonderful time ... Tina

Thanks to Sonja for forwarding this from her friend Tina

ANDRÉ RIEU 2011 Edmonton Concert Photos

2011-09-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

The audience in Calgary was enthusiastic and was reluctant to let them go. Same was true in Edmonton. I heard many wonderful comments on the train back to our hotel last night in Edmonton. He was very well received here ... Kay Berman

►Click HERE To See Al's Photos of The Edmonton Concert!

André Rieu 2011 Calgary Concert Photos

2011-09-11T04:38:00.000-07:00

CALGARY 2011 CONCERT REPORT AND PHOTOS

By Al Girard

The venue was only about 2/3 full, but the audience had a ball and there were several standing ovations. The audience was really responsive, and André was very funny in his banter with the crowd.

CONCERT PROGRAM: Seventy Six Trombones, Voices of Spring, Blaze Away, The Skaters' Waltz, Hout' ist der schonste Tag, Nessun Dorma, Snow Waltz, Ballad For Adeline, The Gypsy Princess, Feast of Fire Polka, Vilna, Viennese Blood, Mama, Chianti Song, Bummelpetris, Hava Nagila, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, The Beautifull Blue Danube, Hallleluja, Radetzky March.

ENCORES INCLUDED: Strauss and Company, Amazing Grace, Libiamo, Adieu, Oh Canada, Marina

ABSENT WERE: Frank Steijns, Nicolle Steins, Ruud Merx, Jet, Diana Morsinkhof, Pierre Colen, Linda Custers, and of course Nadejda Diakoff and Nathalie Bolle who are on maternity leave. Also, there was no harp. Mireille Brepols was on Tympani .......... Al Girard

► Click HERE To See All of Al's Calgary Photos!

André Rieu Presents "GreenKey" to "Golden Tulip"

2011-09-05T10:35:00.000-07:00

André Rieu Presents "GreenKey" to "Golden Tulip"

September 5, 2011: Hotel Owner Benoit Wesly and hotel director Dirk Beljaarts of the Golden Tulip Apple Park Hotel Maastricht were surprised by André Rieu this past Friday when he presented them the coveted Greenkey Certificate.

Concert in Winter Atmosphere

Just prior to this, André Rieu, his Johann Strauss Orchestra and a select group of invited guests were involved with the recordings of a Christmas special to be broadcast by ZDF. The garden and the castle of André Rieu were transformed into a winter atmosphere. After this wonderful concert, where the guests were dressed up completely in winter coats and scarves in 28 ( 82 F) degree weather, the coveted Greenkey certificate was presented. As the namesake of the André Rieu Hotel (Golden Tulip Apple Park Maastricht) he wanted to present the certificate. In front of the Johann Strauss Orchestra and guests, the surprised hoteliers accepted the Green Key certificate.

Special Night

Dirk Beljaarts (director of Golden Tulip Apple Park Maastricht) responds: "This was suppose to have been a 'normal' concert evening, which turned out to be very special indeed. It is an honor and special surprise that André presented us with the Green Key certificate. We know that André really appreciates a sustainable commercial enterprise, but this we did not expect".

About Golden Tulip Apple Park Maastricht

The Golden Tulip Apple Park Hotel Maastricht is located near the historic city center of Maastricht. In addition to 166 comfort and executive rooms, the hotel has several meeting facilities, an Executive Lounge and the famous "Dreamz" bar and restaurant. Every year during the months of June, July and August is the only official André Rieu Hotel in the world.

On the picture from left to right: Benoit Wesly (Hotel Owner), André Rieu and Dirk Beljaarts (Hotel Manager), Golden Tulip Maastricht. Photo by Govert de Roos.

Thanks to John for his Holiday Translation of this article!

André Rieu's Castle Transformed Into a Christmas Palace

2011-09-04T08:49:00.000-07:00

André Rieu's Castle Transformed Into a Christmas Palace

In Warm Summer Weather

Maastricht Aktueel: Under very special circumstances in and around André Rieu's castle, recordings for the German television station ZDF were being made. For days they have worked with all their might and power to transform the gardens and the interior of the Maastricht world star's castle into a winter atmosphere. The German TV company started last Friday with the production of a Christmas Special 2011. Even the roofs were covered with a layer of fake snow. And all that in the same week that summer again found the Netherlands. In downright balmy temperatures, the Christmas evergreens adorned the walls of Andre Rieu's domain.

At the Viefsprunk (a crossing of five road) at the base on the St. Peter's hill, the terraces are full with people enjoying a beautiful summer evening. A little more than a kilometer away, at the bottom of the Zonneberg, snow covers the roofs of André Rieu's stunning castle. Inside the walls of André Rieu's estate, one finds a stunning winter landscape. Thousands of lights, Christmas trees and even a real snowman, combined with sophisticated lighting in and around the castle produce a magical sight. Just before the recordings started, a huge snow cannon supplied the trees and the roofs of the castle with a thick layer of environmentally friendly fake snow.

A select group of invited guests, dressed in winter clothing, are being treated on this subtropical evening with hot chocolate and hot mulled wine. It takes some getting used to, but all those present are quickly transformed into the Christmas spirit by means of the Christmas songs presented by the Johann Strauss Orchestra and soloists.

An unforgettable summer evening in a winter atmosphere. This Christmas special, which will be aired by ZDF on Christmas Eve, December 24th, is being recorded in no less than seven languages and will be broadcast worldwide. Last night forty minutes of video were recorded and captured. During the month of November on several specific locations in and around Maastricht the necessary recordings will be made to complete the broadcast. As an example, even in the historic center of Maastricht streets will also be transformed into a winter atmosphere.

Yet another export product of André Rieu with a large portion of Maastricht promotion will go around the world during Christmas. Thanks to Han Scheuerman. Photo © Govert de Roos. And Thanks to John for the English Translation.

USA! 35 New Cinemas Added for Maastricht 2011

2011-09-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

►Click Here To See Added Cities and Theaters

André Rieu Maastricht 2011 in USA Theaters This September!

2011-08-26T23:35:00.000-07:00

CinemaLive Presents ANDRÉ RIEU Captured LIVE in Maastricht

Coming to Cinemas Across The USA in September!

CinemaLive is delighted to announce they will deliver one of André Rieu’s annual concert series from his hometown of Maastricht, in The Netherlands, to his fans in the USA. The concert, which was broadcast to cinemas via satellite on 24th July in the UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia & New Zealand will now be seen by his adorning fans across America from SEPTEMBER 8TH onwards.

The renowned Dutch violinist and conductor is one of the world’s most successful touring artists and each year he performs a series of concerts in his hometown of Maastricht in The Netherlands. These concerts are André’s most popular with thousands of fans flying from all over the world to witness the incredible music event set amongst the dramatic backdrop of his beautiful hometown.

André and his famous Johann Strauss Orchestra perform together with the Harlem Gospel Choir, the Soweto Gospel Choir and Russian musicians, The St Petersburg Trio. Sir Anthony Hopkins is a special guest at the concert and has composed a Waltz titled, ‘And The Waltz Will Go On’ which will be performed.

André commented on the CinemaLive broadcast of his concert saying, "It fills me with great joy to be able to share my favourite concert of the year, live from my hometown in Maastricht with all of my friends around the world. It is going to be a magical evening with some very special guests. Come and enjoy the music on the big screen in the comfort of your local cinema."

Known for his energetic and festive live performances, André Rieu is affectionately known as the ‘King Of Waltz’ to his international audiences, with album sales of more than 30 million. In 2010, Rieu last year sold more concert tickets than any other male artist internationally.

For further information and participating USA Cinemas please visit: ► ANDRÉ RIEU Live in Maastricht 2011 USA!

NOTE: The information we have been given so far is : Texas GA. and MI showings are on September 8th ... New York and Massachusetts showings on September 11 ... All other States showings are on September 13th. And ALL showings are for 7:00PM (except for Massachusetts and New York. They are at 1:00PM)

Second Screenings of André Rieu in UK Theaters

2011-08-22T22:19:00.000-07:00

André Rieu 2011 In Maastricht

Following the success of our live screenings of André Rieu in July we would like to bring you another opportunity to see this wonderful concert. This recording of the original gives you a second chance to see André Rieu in his home town of Maastricht.

Affectionately known as the "King Of Waltz", André Rieu is well known to international audiences having sold 20 million CDs and DVDs worldwide. His performances have become legendary. An accomplished performer, André believes that classical music should be enjoyed by everyone.

Each year he performs a series of concerts in his hometown of Maastricht in The Netherlands. These concerts are performed in front of thousands of fans and set amongst the cultural backdrop of his beautiful hometown. As always, André is joined by his famous Johann Strauss Orchestra. The Maastricht concerts are André's most popular concerts of his yearly schedule with his most dedicated fans flying from all over the world to see this incredible event. For André Rieu, the annual concerts he gives at the Vrijthof in Maastricht are the high point of his concert schedule.

Don't miss this second chance to see the recording of André’s magical performance as he fills the night with breath-taking music ... Dates: 2/09/11, 4/09/11

Click on the link for all details: ►http://www.odeon.co.uk/fanatic/odeon-plus-information/m100287/Andr_Rieu_2011_In_Maastricht/

André Rieu Photo Book English Text!

2011-08-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS! For all fans who have bought the Photo Book, "The Man Behind The Phenominon"! ... Ineke wrote to The Rieu's asking permission to post the text from the book in English and she has just received a letter of permission from André Rieu Productions to Translate and Post the text in ENGLISH!! Click on the link to Ineke and Ruud's site and you'll see the translation of the book, page by page, that Ineke and John have translated for you ... ► http://www.andrerieu-movies.com/Book_Phenomenon.html

Become an "Official" André Rieu Photographer!

2011-08-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Become an "Official" André Rieu Photographer!

Sign up now for a chance to be selected as the “André Rieu Official Fan Photographer” at any of the upcoming U.S. or Canadian concerts.

As “André Rieu Official Fan Photographer", you will be given a brand new digital camera to take photos before and during the concert you are attending. After the concert, you will email your photos to us and we will put the best ones on the News page of André’s Web site ► www.andrerieu.com and the official André Rieu Facebook page ► www.facebook.com/andrerieu. After the tour is over, one photo will be selected from all the concerts as “Best Photo.”

Here’s What You Get

You will receive a brand new Nikon Coolpix S3100 digital camera! In addition you will be given a pair of tickets for great seats at the concert, and a 2011 tour program signed by André Rieu! The photo chosen as “Best Photo” will be printed on canvas and sent to the photographer.

Go to André's Website to sign up now!

A 1994 Interview With André Rieu

2011-08-17T03:52:00.000-07:00

ROYAL APPROVAL

August 15, 2011 by Els Smit: Looking back, you can say that 1994 was the year that André Rieu's Victory began. He had already been conducting concerts with his modest "Johann Strauss Orchestra" for the past six years. In 1993 they produced a record called: "The Blue Evening", recorded in the Casino in 's Hertogenbosch during a Carnival Saturday, containing songs like "Good Times, Bad Times," "Auld Lang Syne" and "Hop Marianneke, stroop in 't kanneke" (Hup Marianne, syrup in the can). "It's only one of the facets of what we do, you know," André told me back then.

In the meantime, he has now of course been honored. He won the World Music Award, an honor he shares with amongst others, Elton John, The Bee Gees, Prince, Luciano Pavarotti, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. And he is a Knight in the (French) Ordre des Arts et des Lettres because he promotes and has made classical music popular around the world (and in France of course). In the Netherlands he has also received Royal approval. He has been a Knight in the Order of the Dutch Lion since 2002.

In 1994, I Interviewed André for the Associated Press Services (SPD) following his unexpected rise in fame.

Johann Strauss Jr. (1825-1829)

Just to have a nice evening together

Who would have thought it? Definitely not the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich. But it is a fact that his "Second Waltz", as performed by André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, was a sales success of the first order in the Netherlands in 1994. Better yet, the CD which André produced is full of tunes by Strauss, Kalman, Lehar's, and was named by Radio 2 as "CD of the week". Operettas, the music of "Strauss and Co." as the CD is called, are reliving their second youth. Did Rieu expect that?

"Did not expect it at all, but had hoped it would." said André.

André Rieu has been involved with Viennese and turn of the century music for about eighteen years. Actually, ever since he was asked, while at the conservatory in Maastricht, to play in a Salon Ensemble. Coincidentally or not, that was also the time when he met his wife, Marjorie, who would let him listen to records with operetta music which her father had brought with him when he fled from Berlin.

Not that Rieu did not play any other music during his career. For ten years he was a violinist as part of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra. Yet throughout this time his greatest desire was to own his own ensemble with which he could play music of his own choosing.

Secure existence

Johann Strauss Jr. 1895 Poster

"It is a matter of character. I did not like it too much to be told by a conductor how to play. I did not really like the atmosphere surrounding the orchestra, the board and all. It is fortunate that not everyone is like that. There are musician who do not mind being in such an orchestra their entire lives. That of course can be normal and is a safe existence.

"But that's not suitable for me. What has always bothered me was the atmosphere of sanctity that seems to be hanging around classical music. People come all dressed up for a concert and there they sit in the hall. There is an enormous gap between them and the orchestra. It is obvious that rarely a spark jumps between the musicians and the audience.

"I'm not someone with a mission, but if I had a message, I would like to see the gap between the two parties disappear. Just consider what happened around 1900, which was not so long ago. People were playing cards in the Concert building while music was being played. It was almost like as if someone from the card playing group would turn around and shout; "Can't you play that music a little softer?"

"That was the sort of culture in which Johann Strauss composed his music. And it was also being performed in dance halls, you could call them the disco's of that time. People came there to dance and jump to the music of Johann Strauss' Orchestra, where he stood in front as a stand-alone violinist. What is also important to know is, that the majority of his music was never composed for a symphony orchestra".

"I want to have his music sound just like then. Also on this CD. Only here and there did we change the tone to suit the ears of the people of today. So we added some strings and removed some brass, simply because our ears are more accustomed to strings. But the music we left untouched. We do not play one single note that was not written by the composers. This not only applies to Strauss, but is also true for the other composers on the CD: e.g. Shostakovich, Franz Lehar, Emmerich Kálmán".

Fast, yes of course

"Maybe some people say that we have our own interpretation of the works. However I would like to contradict that and suggest that I went to work as conscientiously as possible, that I want the music to sound just as I imagined the composers designed it. "Unter Donner und Blitz" we play that fast, yes, but I can not imagine a Strauss waltz with such a title was intended to be played lazily.

"I notice it at our concerts, the approach to it is catching on. It is not only because of the music, but because of the entire package we offer. So we do not just run through all the songs in seconds, I narrate throughout the program and piece it together that way. Kind of cozy like, with a little fun. Together with my wife we write the text. Sometimes it is a strange experience to discover that the text you invented at home on the couch is doing so well in the hall".

"We propose only one thing, sparks must be flying over to the public. Everyone, the musicians, the people in the hall, everyone has to have the idea that together we are making this a nice evening. That as far as I am concerned is basically the intention of the music. Apparently people have a need for it. I notice that by the letters I receive and the number of attendees. They have increased incredibly in recent years.

"I'm not the only one who has noticed that. You'll notice that at the concerts of classical and semi-classical music, the halls are fuller. People are, as you may have gathered, hungry for real music.

Pavarotti

"How does that happen? Never because of one single item. It has to do with the times we live in and there are also a lot of musicians who have done an awful lot of real good work. Pavarotti for example, but also Nigel Kennedy. He dressed in his usual garb, not at all in tails and stood there and played that old music. Point blank, it's not all about the looks, but it is all about the music."

"It is widely understood. It's fantastic, as I recently experienced that in Heemskerk where a lady got up the nerve to approach me and said, "Mr. Rieu, may I look at your violin. I have heard so much music in my life but I have never seen a violin up close." "Something like that makes me just plain happy."

On March 26, 2010 André Rieu and his orchestra performed for Queen Beatrix. It was the highlight of her visit to Valkenburg during the festive opening of the 125th anniversary celebration of the Netherlands' VVV (Tourist Office). Of course the Limburg Anthem was played and the Queen sang along.(At the end of the videoclip Queen Beatrix speaks the famous words: "That was very nice, but too short!" André answers: "I'd love to continue" ...)► Click HERE To Watch Video

NOTE: This interview with André was written back in 1994 by journalist Els Smit: www.royalglitter.com. She updated its posting a few days ago. Ineke wrote to her as the article is copyrighted and asked for her permission for us to translate and post this article on the Harmony Parlor in English. Els gladly gave us permission and we do thank her for that and John for his Translation.... It's interesting to read what André had to say about everything 17 years ago, knowing what he has accomplished now.

ANDRÉ RIEU in Maastricht several years ago ...

2011-08-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

This is a little fun video from Youtube, that Peggy Graenz posted on The Parlor on Facebook. It's an old video taken of André playing solo in Maastricht about 18 years ago ... Click on the Youtube link to watch: ►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPK4hKMRA0U

Frank Steijns Carillon Player: Two Fists For Africa

2011-08-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

TWO FISTS FOR AFRICA

High up in the church tower of the St. Pancratius church in Heerlen, carillon player Frank Steijns is calling from behind the carillon for awareness of the starving in Africa.

Limburger by Wiel Beijer ►For many centuries, the carillon has been telling the people what has been going on in their city. I am telling the people today what is going on, specifically in the Horn of Africa. City Carillon player Frank Steijns did not need to be asked twice to participate in this musical action of the Red Cross to raise awareness of the starving in Africa. Not only is he busy with his music, but Frank is well aware of the situation of the people in Africa. Together with his wife, who is a physician, they formed the foundation 'Doctors and Arts', (In Dutch Arts and Arts) and is now very active in the action to collect funds into Account 555 for the people in need.

High up in the church tower now, we have climbed 97 steps in order to reach Frank Steijns’ concert podium. We notice many passersby down on the church square and people visiting the terraces look up quite a bit as the carillon player plays "We are the World" by Michael Jackson. But the people continue on their Saturday routine to the market or the stores. "Isn’t it lonely up here giving a concert without having contact with the people?" you then ask.

"I am also a violinist in André Rieu’s Johann Strauss’ orchestra. There we reach a lot of people and receive lots of applause. In the orchestra, I am one of many. Here I am alone and never see my public. When I come back down, I occasionally hear someone on the street whistle the tune I just played, and then I know my playing had its effect", say Frank Steijns.

With his fists he "hammers" on the carillon. Two fists for Africa. He hammers away with a suppressed rage. After "We are the World’ he played "Image" by John Lennon and then Gymnopédie by Eric Satie. We were privileged to enjoy the concert high up in the tower, just beneath the bells. 49 handles are connected by wires to the same amount of clappers.

"The bigger the tower, the heavier are the bells. The St Martinus church in Weert has approximately 20,000 kilos (44,000 lbs) in bronze. Heerlen has half that much. This is a middle class carillon. I am talking about the weight of the bells. But as far as sound is concerned, it is one of the best sounds in the country".

The Netherlands is a very good country for carillon players. Our country has half the carillons of the entire world. No wonder the Red Cross asked the carillon players in their church towers to bring awareness to the city people of the misery in Africa.

And as we were descending the 97 steps, Frank played "Heal the World". And that is what is still needed ...

Thanks to John for Sending and Translating this for us

André Rieu's Twin Orchestra Members

2011-08-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

For all those who have been asking us about the Twins playing the Viola with the JSO in Maastricht, their names are Svitlana (Lana) and Yana Popchuk. They hail from Ukraine and graduated from the Conservatory in Gent(Belgium) 'University College Ghent, Faculty of Music' in May of 2011 ~ Thanks to Ineke and Steve for the information on them.

It's a Holiday For André Rieu!

2011-08-01T01:13:00.000-07:00

Holidays!!

CHAPEAU MAGAZINE by ANDRÉ RIEU: I will have to get used to them, but this summer I really will have a few weeks vacation, for me a strange perception. I will almost have to follow a course. How do you do that, going on holiday?
When I realized last year that I am no longer eighteen and just like everyone else, I have to adhere to all the laws of nature, Marjorie and I agreed that from now on we would take a summer vacation. We will be closed for no less than four weeks. Unheard of.
Actually it seems to be quite normal, but I in fact, have never before experienced anything like that. At least not in the last ten years. Everything became so busy that it just slipped by me. And I really did not have a need for a vacation, at least that's what I thought. I find it all very nice indeed, everything that I do.
But still, it seems that a little relaxation from all the stresses, does a body a world of good. So, I will go and try a little of that too. Although, we're not really going to travel for four weeks while on holiday. I travel myself silly all year around, so you are not doing me any favors with that. To spend a few days in a beautiful city, preferably one where they do not know me, that will be okay.
But as for the rest of the time? No, I'm not going to lay on a beach for weeks on end, I'd be bored to death. No, we can still enjoy ourselves at home, and Marjorie and I will undoubtedly in between still be involved with music. Coming up with new ideas with a glass of wine. But the office will be closed, so the number of phone calls, emails and so on will be less. I wonder what effect that will have on me.
It sure has been a year for me! I'm quite happy that I was able to resume my life and feel great. We just returned from Vienna where we recorded a wonderful special for ZDF in some of the most beautiful locations of that city. It will be broadcast in the fall on a Saturday evening, 2.5 hours long, aired during prime time.
And after the summer we are going to record a Christmas special for ZDF, this time in the caves of Valkenburg. We played there once before for our Queen, and we really enjoyed that. This special will be broadcast on Christmas Eve.
We also have a new CD with for the first time, ballroom music. That wonderful, nostalgic, swooning music. With songs like "Tanz mit mir in den Morgen, Blue Tango and Rot sind die Rosen".
And then the Vrijthof concerts are upon us, as always a high point for the year. And because they are in my own town, the atmosphere is always unique. This time, as a gesture to the Holy Shrine Procession, we have two gospel choirs in our program, one from America and one from South Africa. It will be something very beautiful. And especially for this concert we also have the Russian trio back, who toured around with us for a few years.
Yes, and then as the apotheosis, we'll play the waltz which Sir Anthony Hopkins wrote. That will be really something special. He will especially fly over from America to experience this on the Vrijthof. If someone from Hollywood finds it so special to come to the Vrijthof, then we can be very proud of the most beautiful square in the Netherlands ... André Rieu
Thanks to Ineke for scanning all this for us and John for ©Translating it all into English

André Rieu Christmas DVD To Be Released in November

2011-07-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

ANDRÉ RIEU CHRISTMAS DVD TO BE RELEASED IN NOVEMBER

The City Cave is one of the locations where André Rieu will make his recordings for his new Christmas DVD. It will take place in September and the DVD will be released in November.

Rieu is not an unknown in the City Cave. The reactions after his concert for Queen Beatrix in commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the VVV (Tourist Information Offices) were overwhelming. That's the reason Rieu's selected the City Cave for his background. The recordings will not be open to the public.

Thanks to Ineke for sending this and John Translating it

Pierre Rieu Markets His Father André Rieu

2011-07-30T00:51:00.000-07:00

Pierre Rieu Markets His Father

CHAPEAU MAGAZINE: You haven’t had the idea yet, due to your role in your company, to do a specific study say in, economics, or to work abroad for a year with a different orchestra or artist, purely for the experience?

PIERRE: No, because what you learn there you can not apply to ARP (André Rieu Productions); you would still have to throw that experience away. My Mom sometimes pulls her hair out: "What has he come with now?" We do not work with a budget either. Our financial advisor, Roel van Veghel, has tried to institute that numerous times, but to no avail. Even the Schönbrunn idea, that just popped into Dads head and then he says: "I think we should do that". Of course we do look at our finances, but we still go ahead with the plan. In the end it turned out that it costs us three times as much as we thought. It sure had its setbacks, but it did wonders for us.

The tour through Australia cost us 28 million Euros, and if we had spent that amount of money on marketing via spots, billboards, advertising and the like, we would never have had the same results. The marketing we received from that tour has been invaluable and went all over the world. It goes without saying, at least, that "some fool" copied this huge castle, and was even able to attract many, many visitors with it. Click on the link to READ FULL ARTICLE with Pierre: ►http://harmonyparlorphotos.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html#6664769171402722136

André Rieu Photos Maastricht 2011

2011-07-30T00:05:00.000-07:00

Photos by Hanne of André in Maastricht 2011

These are pictures of ONLY André! No orchestra, no singers, just André!

We have posted so many photos of the concerts and everything else, so I went through Hanne's photos and took out just her "André" pics to post here and she has some great ones!! ...

Thanks Hanne! ... Click on link to see all Hanne's photos of André in Maastricht last week. ►http://harmonyparlorphotos.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html#3229723853696084769