The Stand-Alone Violinist
Divided By Five
Yesterday at the Cultural exhibition (Parcours)there was a
first: the revival of André Rieu's Maastricht Salon Orchestra. A magical
crowning at the opening of Maastricht's Cultural season.
The idea of a revival of the Salon Orchestra came about after a small delegation of the Rieu Orchestra had performed for some foreign guests. It was an immediate hit. The music is André's, it is under his direction, and we will not imitate him."
Frank Steijns plays the piano and does the presentations, Roland Lafosse plays contra bass, Cord Meyer second violin, Tanja Derwahl cello and Gosia Loboda has the difficult task of trying to approach Rieu's violin playing. "The stand-alone violinist is being divided. Actually André is being split into five pieces." Could the Salon Orchestra be a forerunner of Rieu's eventual retirement? Steijns laughs, "No, André always says that he will live to be 120. And performances with the Rieu Orchestra have priority."
There was a huge crown at the Parcours. At more than thirty places in the city center the public could get a taste of the exhibitions participating in the new cultural season.
"A mix of tradition and newness. That is why I am so thrilled that André Rieu awarded us with this event. I never expected it would be so busy" said Tom Berghmans, member of the city center management.
Thank You to
John for the article and translation of it.
Thank you! It will be interesting to see what other sort of occasions this orchestra will play at.
ReplyDeleteOne small note, 'hieringbiete' = biting/eating herring. A tradition on ash Wednesday after carnaval, when the lent begins and you are not allowed meat for 40 days.
Une merveilleuse idée d'André que de faire revivre le Maastricht Salon Orkest de ses débuts, j'espère qu'il y aura un CD de cette superbe expérience. Bravo à tous . Vous êtes formidables ! Francine .
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