Jun 16, 2009

André Rieu Gives Grandmother a $2,500 Violin

Wed. June 16, 2009
9NEWS Australia

Dutch Maestro André Rieu has made an Australian grandmother's day, giving her an expensive European Violin.

Sydney woman Kate Young brought the top-selling artist to tears last month when she wrote to 2GB's Alan Jones requesting he pass on her thanks to Rieu for his beautiful music.
Young's childhood ambition had been to become a concert violinist, but tough economic times and the loss of her husband's job forced her to sell her much-loved violin more than 20 years ago.

Rieu was so touched by her story that he decided to replace the violin she had to give up. "I have tears in my eyes. Having to sell your violin to buy things for your kids? I am giving this lady a violin," Rieu told Jones.

Rieu personally selected a $2,500 Otto Jos Klier violin made from aged Bosnian maple and Austrian mountain spruce and sent it to her as a gift. He also promised to check up on her progress when he returns to Australia for a string of concerts in October.

"I only hope that this brings you happiness and joy, no-one should be without music," Rieu told Young over the phone from the US.

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous17 June, 2009

    What a lovely story. What a generous, thoughtful, comapssionate man Andrè is.
    Adele

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  2. Oh, I started to cry too! Soooo touching! Reminds me of the kind-hearted man who gave André enough money to get his train ticket to see Marjorie in her open arms. Now that he can afford to help someone else, it's the most wonderful thing to do to change someone's life! BRAVO, André!

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  3. Anonymous17 June, 2009

    What a kind and generous gesture, but why am I not surprised? We all know that Andre has a sympathetic heart.

    Al Girard

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