André Rieu's Sons Out of The Shadow

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