Radio Interview With André Rieu About New ABBA CD

Radio Interview With André Rieu About New ABBA CD

►You Can Click HERE To Listen To Interview With André

We decided to summarize this interview (as opposed to giving it subtitles) because it is merely a telephonic conversation between Gielen Beelen of a Dutch radio station and André Rieu – there is no footage of the Maestro. However, it is a humorous, light-hearted conversation which is punctuated by bouts of uproarious laughter from both men.

Radio Conversation: The first couple of minutes of the conversation are devoted to a discussion of the research project on the phenomenon of André Rieu. André says that he has already been questioned by the leader of the research team, Professor Maaike Meijer, of the University of Maastricht. He also says that he and Marjorie have known the secret for many years but that they are not saying anything about it and leaving the academics to search for it.

Giel mentions André’s nice classical music but wonders how he manages to appeal to so many people of a wide variety of cultures. According to André, there is a simple answer: He travels the world and he thinks that whether you’re yellow, brown, black or green doesn’t matter, because all people are humans of flesh and blood and their feelings are the same. If they feel sad they will cry, if they feel good they will be happy and if they feel like dancing, they will do so.

Giel responds by saying that there are many artists all over the world who share Andre’s feelings but have not been nearly as successful as he is. A coy Andre replies “but that is the secret”. Once again, both men succumb to fits of laughter.

Giel questions André about when we can expect the findings of the research team to be made public. He replies that he believes in 2-3 years’ time. Giel wonders if it is not a case of Prof. Meijer wanting to obtain free tickets to all of Andre’s concerts ... An obviously amused André replies “who knows”? André says the professor is spending a lot of time with them, that (she) travels with him and his orchestra and that it is a friendly situation.

Giel then refers to his previous interview with André - when he was making beautiful music with Jermaine Jackson on the Vrijthof Square and wants to know what he’s been doing since then.

André answers by reminding Giel that it’s been 40 years since ABBA released Waterloo and that he has been busy compiling a CD of their songs because he has always been a great admirer of the band. He elaborates further: “It is a double CD that will be released soon. The one CD is named Music for the Night and is quite romantic, while the other is for the day and is simply named ABBA.”

André then proceeds to play part of a melody, Thank You for the Music, which had only been recorded the previous day. André also says the master copies of the 2 CDs will be delivered to the recording company on Monday as he and the JSO will be leaving for Mexico on Sunday and that some rehearsing still has to be done for that tour. He expects the CD to be released some time during the Autumn.

When Giel exclaims that André has an incredible lifestyle, Amdré asks whether the interviewer intends to accompany him and the JSO to Mexico. Amidst another bout of laughter Giel admits that he would like to, but unfortunately has to stay behind and be “the phenomenon of the radio”. (André and Company have left today {September 15th} for Mexico)

Thank you to Entia for Translating this Radio Conversation for us.