A Predictable Party ~ But a Gem Nonetheless
Attended: André
Rieu on the Vrijthof Maastricht 2014 ~ When: July 4th
The Limburger by Ruud Maas: He has been standing on this spot for exactly the
past ten years; exactly twenty years after he rose to the top position of the
charts for ten weeks with his performance of a hitherto barely known waltz ,
which would keep him in the top ten for a year.
The success of André Rieu has since increased enormously, and
his ranking amidst the world’s top performers was once again validated on Friday night
by the 64 year olds impressive performance. During a
concert lasting nearly 3.5 hours, he gave his Johan Strauss Orchestra, but
especially his soloists, ample opportunity to excel.
The Australian singer Mirusia
Louwerse’s rendition of I Belong To Me (from the musical Elisabeth) and
Caro Nome (from Verdi’s
Rigoletto) by Carla Maffioletti rivaled each other for the
distinction of being highlight of the evening. These two voices are just about
the most beautiful that have ever been heard on the Vrijthof.
Critics agree that what Rieu is doing in 2014 does not differ
drastically from the format employed for the first time in 2005 at the Vrijthof.
There were the customary winks, feeble jokes, shenanigans of orchestra members
and almost cult-like costumes and stage sets that give a distinctive Rieu flavor
to so many concerts. After all, why would you deviate from a successful
formula?
The orchestra leader ‘preaches’ that the world
would be very different if we all sang together, and alleges that even doctors
prescribe his music because, according to them, Rieu's DVD's are the best
medicine for healing. But that is perhaps taking it a bit too far. However, that
the violinist with his concerts instills an appreciation for popular classical
music in a large portion of the population is undeniable.
What then distinguishes the 2014 edition from that of previous
years? The presence of the Belgian-Italian singer, Rocco Granata, who turned the
Vrijthof into a crazy dance palace with his biggest hit, Marina, after a
beautiful rendition of Buona Notte
Bambino, is one such aspect. The sound
of a lot of Italian music, because Rieu is bringing out a new CD – Love In Venice
– is
another aspect that added a distinct Venetian flavor to this Vrijthof concert.
From a musical point of view the theme could have undoubtedly been further
extended, just as the extensively decorated St Servaas Church and the Old
Military Building could have been incorporated into the concert to a much
greater extent. Musically speaking –
from the tear-jerkers to the polonaise
pieces everything was predictable, but the same cannot be said
of the technical adeptness, which was in a class of its own.
Not withstanding the
criticisms, Rieu’s celebration of ten years
on the Vrijthof is a party not to be missed
or you will sorely regret it. And did the absence of Andrea Bocelli and Zucchero
detract from the spectacle? It is questionable whether even they could have
contributed more to a brilliant evening.
Translated by Entia
4 comments:
I think Andre, nearly 65 and looking tired because he works so hard, did brilliantly and deserves to feel happy about it all.
I think the article is spot on.
I loved the concert! But it was despite the repetition of old material and jokes, not because of them.
Cécile Truong.
J'ai adoré les trois concerts d'André sur le Vrijthof, le Maestro a été comme à son habitude, talentueux et sympathique, la musique magnifique, les blagues d'André, pas du tout débiles comme on se plait à le dire dans cet article et même la pluie n'a pas entamé l'enthousiasme du public. André est un musicien formidable et n'a pas à être critiqué. Bravo, cher Masetro! Francine.
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