Another year is ending and we want to thank all the fans that have helped us in making The Parlor a fun and informative place to come to for all things André!
And to All André Fans, may 2011 be filled with good health, fulfilled wishes and a lot of beautiful music!!
"Happy New Year!!" "Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar!!"
Sue and John
RIJSWIJK---The TROS will soon be back with a new docusoap which revolves around André Rieu, according to ►http://www.nlpop.blog.nl/. The focal spot of this new docusoap is still unclear. It is quite possible that the international career of the popular violinist will be used as a starting point. Rieu is well known for his grandiose tours. Titled "The World of Rieu," the first episode will be aired on February 4, 2011. Six episodes in total are planned. Previously, Rieu could be seen by the TROS in, amongst others, the real-life series of André Rieu in South Africa.
On Monday December 20th, 2010, the program "Koffietijd" (Coffee-Time) from the Dutch RTL4 was broadcast from André's castle. A lengthy interview in a friendly atmosphere with André, his sons Marc and Pierre, and the new mayor of Maastricht. Due to the length of the interview, we posted the video in two parts. Thanks to John for assisting us in this marathon translation ... Ruud
Limburger 23 December 2010 by Kim Noach ~ Percussionist of the André Rieu Orchestra to perform with his sons, friends and colleagues in Heerlen.
Marcel Falize who has been playing with the André Rieu Orchestra for years, is an instructor with Edelweiss, a Horn, drum and bugle band. And recently has been directing a percussion group named "Lift-Off" which also includes his sons.
Percussionist Marcel Falize (44) has, as a member of the André Rieu Orchestra has many hours to ponder about things when once again he is en route flying from one continent to another. From an "involuntary" brain storming session, an idea for the new group "Lift-Off" evolved last year.
MARCEL: During the New Years Reception of the Hunters Horn and Trumpet Corps "Edelweiss" of this year I, together with Glenn (19) and Dean (17) performed a surprise concert which was very much appreciated. Afterwards I received many invitations to perform at various other locations. That brought me to thinking, which eventually produced "Lift-Off", and will be nurtured by the Falize family (Marcel, Glenn, Dean and youngest son Colin, who is 14), along with their Edelweiss colleague Sander Frissen. In addition, Falize also invited three colleagues from the André Rieu Orchestra, violinist Lin Jong, trombone player Ruud Merkx, and keyboard player Ward Vlasveld. Deejay Richard Holland completes the ensemble.
MARCEL: "I wanted to bring on a complete musical show embellishes in theater, light and sound." After ten months of intensive rehearsing, the gentlemen Falize and their colleagues will show what "Lift-Off" is capable of in the Heksenberg cultural center on December 27 and 28. These past weeks, the gentlemen Falize have been together almost 24 hour per day rehearsing for the two concerts. Yes, that at times can be too much, nodded the young Falizes, but overall it has been a lot of fun, says son Dean (17).
COLIN: In "Lift-Off" you can show more of your own talents then say, for instance in a large orchestra like "Edelweiss."
For the Falize sons, music comes as easy as breathing. As youngsters they have all performed with André Rieu as guest musicians. Meanwhile Glenn plays part time with Rieu (and is currently attending the conservatory in Maastricht). Dean is almost ready to attend the conservatory. And Dad Falize? "I am extremely proud of course."
Returning home we found out that I had won the bicycle with a photo. The program 'Koffietijd" is daily on TV and every day they asked people to send a photo. For the Monday Dec. 20th program broadcast from Andre's castle ... the theme for the picture was Maastricht.
I combined Maastricht and Rieu and sent my most funny picture from 2009. André had the choice out of 5 photos. He did not hesitate one moment and immediately chose mine!!!
We'll give the bike to my granddaughter Natascha who has a very old bicycle. So now she gets a new bike thanks to Andre!! She is very happy with it!!
We recorded the program, because we were in Drunen (to see Mirusia perform) and in Cologne (to see the three tenors perform) and to Maastricht (to see the ice sculptures). We had a wonderful time in a white snow landscape.
Since we have to cook Christmas dinner now for our 7 guests at Christmas, it will take awhile before we can post it on our website with the English Subtitles, so please have patience ... It sure will come!!!
Top of the page the winning photo I sent in. The sign in the window says: "Due to our attending the Andre Rieu concert tonight, the shop will be closed at 5 PM. Thanks for your understanding."
... Ineke
CLASSICAL Music Superstar André Rieu Credits an Australian Fan For Helping To Save His Career.
Adelaide Now: In September, André was struck down with a debilitating infection of the vestibular nerve, which affected his balance. Unable even to stand unassisted, he was forced to postpone his Australian tour. While he followed doctors' orders and rested for three months, he also started doing exercises that were suggested to him in a letter from Perth man Bill Henshall.
"The doctor came to me and said 'This virus, there's no pill, no medication. There's only one thing. You have to rest and wait 'til it's gone'. And I did that," André says. Amid the influx of letters, emails, cakes, bottles of wine, pictures, stones and sculptures sent in by fans, the musician found a letter from Australia.
"There was a very kind letter from Perth," André says. "They wrote me 'André, I had the same thing and the doctor didn't give me pills, but he gave me exercises to come back and balance'."My recovery was due to the rest, of course, but also the exercises from Perth."Mr Henshall, 68, suffered from vertigo a few years ago and found the exercises worked wonders. So he sat down at his computer and wrote Andre a letter. "The motivation was purely and simply, if it was going to work for him, everyone was going to be the beneficiary of it." Bill says, "He gives so much joy, so much enjoyment to so many people. "He addressed the letter to "Andre Rieu, Maastricht, the Netherlands". "That's it. That's all that was on the letterhead. I'm tickled pink that he got it . . . I'm so pleased it helped him," he said.
André has now rescheduled his Australian tour, starting in Adelaide at the Entertainment Centre on May 3. And he hints he will invite Bill and his wife, Anna, to one of his concerts. "I'm really, really very grateful to these people in Perth," he says.
André appeared on "Koffietijd" this morning in Holland. (a television show). As most of you know, Ineke and Ruud are off to see the Three Tenors in Cologne and then to Maastricht, so they didn't see André on the show this morning, but they did Record it to post after they get back for all of us to see. Sonja though is in Holland spending Christmas with her family and she watched the show and sent us an email. Here are just some of the "Highlights" she wrote about ...
They had a "picture" contest for people to send pictures in and then André would pick the winner ... Ineke sent a picture in and André picked her picture as the Best One ... she won a bike!! She sent in a picture of a store window that had Andre's picture in a frame between two mannequins in sexy underwear and a sign in the window that said, "Due to Andre's concert we will close at five o'clock today, we hope you understand." It was a funny picture and great that André picked it!
Marc and Pierre were there with him ... André said he will be celebrating Christmas with his four grandchildren and his four children. Pierre jokingly said, "do I have two more brothers I do not know about?" André's answer was, "but I now have your wife and Marc's wife too." When asked what he had in common with his sons, he jokingly said he and Marc had the same terrific ideas. Marc once said he wants to have a gallery and buy paintings for a million, sell them for 100,000 guilders and live from the profits? André said Marc's youngest, 'Fleur', is now four months old.
The Mayor was on the show with them and he and André had a competition of who knows more about Maastricht.
Then last, but not least there was a clip of Jacky Evancho, (the 10 year old girl with a voice like a grown woman from America's Got Talent). André said he has contacted her and is going to help her with her career. (We're not sure what that means exactly, but hopefully that we will see her singing with André!)
Photo from André's Twitter Page
He is again playing the stars from the heavens and is ecstatic that after his illness he is able to tour with his Johann Strauss Orchestra through Mexico, North America and Canada but, there is also a flip side for André Rieu ... Since recently he has been struggling with a problem which had never before bothered him ... homesickness.
"You can not imagine how much I miss my grandchildren Yvan and Fleur from my son Marc and Linde and Lieke from my son Pierre", says André. "In my suitcase and in my hotel room I have pictures of all my grandchildren and that way I still have them close to me. Pierre accompanies me during the tour, so we do talk a lot about the children. Half way through the tour he will be returning to the Netherlands and then it will be different again. Pierre will be attending to more business matters in the Netherlands and because of that will not be accompanying me as often. This way he can spend more time with his family, and I understand his choice completely. I follow my grandchildren now via skype and my daughters-in-law regularly send me new pictures. Since I have been on the road for three weeks now, I am really starting to become itchy. When I was home for four months due to my illness, I saw my grandchildren every day. Now I even talk about them while on stage. I tell how much they are growing and how they resemble me, and the attendees enjoy that. Whenever they are shown on the big screen a big applause always follows. When later they are bigger, Opa will tell them all about it.
That they have been incorporated in the show, is my wife Marjorie's idea. She writes all my texts and is quite involved in my show. She often accompanies me but only if we are driving. She is actually afraid to fly. But when we are touring through Germany starting this January, she will again be part of the group. She will actually be at the concerts on April 16 in Heereveen and June 13 in the Amsterdam ArenA.
For André and his family the Holidays will be very special this year. "After everything that we experienced this past year, we will open an extra bottle of wine. Taking everything into consideration, we faired reasonably well. Luckily my health is good. Christmas is always sacred to me and I always cross those days off at the beginning of the new year so that I will be off. Then I can finally wrap my arms around my grandchildren again." ... Edwin Bredius
Saturday December 18, 2010
Orchestra leader gives little details
Rieu in Hollywood Film by Ruud Maas
Sittard - André Rieu is preparing a Hollywood Film. That is what the musician and conductor said Thursday in the TV program "Pauw & Witteman." The script for the movie is about a violinist who in Rieu's words, "experiences everything" and is written by writer/columnist Leon de Winter, who lives in Hollywood.
On another note, Rieu did not want to reveal too many details about the movie. He said that he recently composed four pieces of music for the "Family Movie" which has lots of music." The violinist also let it be known that he would be performing in a role. "But it will not be a film about André Rieu", he said. "Together we have been busy for a year now to grow into the story. It is going to be a beautiful movie. When I heard about it, I immediately went to my studio to record the music. Those music pieces I sent to Hollywood."
Spokesperson for the orchestra leader would not go into further details of the project yesterday, and could also not say where and when the recordings of the film would take place. "We can add nothing to what André said in the broadcast Thursday."
Australian fans of Andre Rieu will all be familiar with "The Platin Tenors" who are regular guests at Andre's performances all over the globe.
Tasmanian born singer Gary Bennett is one third of this talented trio, and like Mirusia (our other homegrown Andre Rieu favourite), he is releasing a new solo album. Gary is fulfilling a lifelong dream by recording Franz Schubert's song cycle "Winterreise", and has personally asked us to help him share this beautiful and emotional performance with Andre's fans in Australia and all over the globe.
Gary says of the album:
"I am convinced that anyone who enjoys good music you will be able to connect with these songs. The story and the emotions depicted in them are just as valid today as they were to Schubert's time and the music is so beautiful, that I am sure that anyone who takes the time to listen to them will fall in love with them as I did."
Gary Bennett's "Winterreise" is now available for pre-order on our website, at the special price of only $21.95. Just click the link below:
►http://hansmusic.com.au/Products/cd-dvd/Schubert-Winterreise.aspx
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Nathanael Hans Music Spot staff
For entrepreneurs, being ill is really not an option. How many times did I stand on stage with a fever, flu or runny nose. They are countless. But this time it was serious. A balance disorder felled me for several weeks with a result that I had to cancel concerts in the Netherlands and even a World Tour. And for the first time in 32 years!
If I had not became ill, I almost would have been through these traits ... A strong work ethic, loyalty to your customers and the inability to delegate your work. These are all reasons why entrepreneurs are very seldom ill. Also finances play an important role. To insure yourself against illness is expensive, especially for a small business, so you go on as long as possible so not to compromise your income. Although we are well insured against the cancellation of concerts, there are equally high costs involved. So only a portion of the damage suffered is recouped, the rest is at your own risk.
In addition we also have a lot of marketing costs involved in order to provide information that concerts have been cancelled and advertise the new data. On some locations a lot of costs have already been incurred. As an example, in the "Arena" they already had covered the grass. If that cover stays on the grass longer then a week, the entire grass field will need to be replaced and that will cost at least a ton (100.000 Euros).
Then there are the suppliers who have already made commitments. Often they are companies and freelancers, with whom we have worked together for a long time and basically are not taken into our financial consideration. "In time it'll all fall into place," they said. I find that heartwarming. Just like the responses I received from the audience, merely wishing me a speedy recovery. That actually aided in my recovery!
During my illness, I also discovered that this period had a positive side. I slept more, took brisk walks and only occasionally visited the studio. I needed this wake-up call to realize that in recent years I have been too busy. My body really hit me hard in the face with the facts. With the result that the agenda will again be stirred up a bit, we will re-define our priorities and policies, and the policy around the question of what we will do, and what we will not do will be amplified. I'm afraid that the people who approach me for the openings of buildings or speaking at meetings, will have to be disappointed more often in the future.
By the time you read this, I hope to be back on the stage. But it is a shame that by my absence, our ultra low absenteeism of less than one percent has been boosted up.
An important lesson has been learned. 'He, who at the right time says "no" to others, says "yes" to himself.' ... I hope that with this being my last column, you take something away from that.
André RieuNote: We want to thank John for his ©Translation of this article and Ineke for sending it. At the same time we like to mention that it has come to our attention that some people are copying John's Translations and republishing them elsewhere as their own work. Much time is freely given, even giving up weekends on these Translations for all of us who visit the Parlor to enjoy. We sincerely hope that those people claiming these translations as their own work will realize this and think twice before doing so in the future ...
Here's the link to Alice's Video she took in Vancouver, Canadaon December 7, 2010. You can see John and Bobbie Dancing to The Danube!
No tweets from André for a little while after Maastricht DVD was recorded. "Dad" has been sick. Oh Boy! Not only UK was cancelled, but later the Aussies and Kiwis would have to wait too. We’re all so worried but the best thing for the world’s most popular unknown artist was a good rest. I prayed that he would recover for first time Mexico concerts, and continue their tour for the West Coast.
"Charlie's Angels"
Some of you might remember I was telling the whole world about my wish of getting the André Rieu Experience Package for 2009, but eventually I didn’t want to leave my parents on their own. This year….hmmmm….what if the push pin for Vancouver is taken off the tour map, what if they don’t do the meet and greet anymore, what if this, what if that…I was quite determined to be a "VIP" this year and yet, after all my monthly mortgage and retirement savings, and the trip to New York, I didn’t have much $ left to pay for it. But my luck was on its way .....................
Click on the link below to read Alice's whole story and see all her pictures plus a video of soundcheck that she took!
This message was written on Frank (Steijns) Facebook page tonight. I thought it was exciting that he'll be playing the carillon's here in the US!
Frank Steijns: Tomorrow is Saturday, so I will play the carillon ;) but not in Maastricht - there was a wonderful replacement for me yesterday. I will play the carillon at Bok Tower, Lake Wales FL, one of the most beautiful in the world! And then, of course, concert in Orlando, FL!
A little about the Carillon Frank will be playing ...
Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales Florida "The Singing Tower" is the centerpiece of the gardens. The tower was built at the highest elevation of the site, south of a reflection pool that allows the water to reflect its full image. A 60-bell carillon set within the 205-foot (62 m) tall, Gothic Revival and Art Deco tower that was designed by architect Milton B. Medary. Construction on the tower began in 1927 and was completed for the dedication of the gardens in 1929, when it was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge. The tower is 51 feet (16 m) square at its base, changing form at 150 feet (46 m) high to an octagon with 37 feet (11 m) sides that include sculptures designed by Lee Lawrie. The tower is surrounded by a 15-foot (4.6 m) moat that serves as a Koi pond. It is built of pink Etowah marble and gray Creole marble, mined in Tate, Georgia, and Florida native coquina stone, from Daytona Beach, Florida. Although the tower's interior is not open to the public, it contains the Anton Brees Carillon Library, said to be the largest carillon library in the world. Inside the bell chamber is a playing room that houses a clavier, or keyboard, that is used for playing the 60 carillon bells.
André Rieu has become the most consistently strong classical-genre artist ever, this year reporting $40 million in grosses and 444,000 tickets sold to 86 shows. "We are convinced that André Rieu has become part of the top touring artists and that his popularity will only increase for the coming years," says Roel van Veggel, who is CFO and concert tour director for Rieu.
"In this respect, we are continuously working on creating a bigger [touring] world by opening up new markets, as we did in 2010 with South Africa and Mexico," he says. "In this way we create André's dream of opening classical music for a broad audience worldwide."
Below is Link to List of Top 25 Touring Acts of 2010
► http://www.billboard.com/features/bon-jovi-billboard-s-top-touring-act-of-1004134335.story#/features/top-25-tours-2010-1004134022.story
Hi folks ... Look who was in town! .... Not only Al, Afsaneh and her daughter, but John and Bobbie must have some problem with their GPS, they went all the way up cross the border and ended up in Vancouver!!
It was a lovely evening and as for myself, I need a way to catch my breath. Here are some pics from my camera. With Al and John the professionals at the concert, I didn't bother taking still pics of the concert, I believe they have many nice pics to follow.
My 2 dream photos with Monsieur Rieu. One taken by Kerstin, which is more natural with André's cute look, and the other official one that he autographed ...... Will write more later, Alice
Hello Everyone! It's Mirusia here, I just wanted to let my friends in Holland know that my new album 'Always and Forever' (Presented by Andre Rieu and featuring the Johann Strauss Orchestra) will be available in The Netherlands from December 10th!!! I will be giving a special album presentation in Drunen on the 19th of December. It will be at 14:00 (2PM) on the 'Raadhuisplein' or Townhall square. For more details please check out my facebook page!
I had a very nice chat with Gary at the Ontario Concert this week and he talked a lot about his new CD. He is so passionate about it! It's the music he has always loved and wanted to record. If you haven't had a look at it, go to Gary's Website from the link below. The CD is now available to order!!!
► http://www.gary-bennett.de/AU/webshop.html
"If I do not do any crazy things, everything will be fine."
How did you survive the last three months of forced inactivity? "It was as if there was no end in sight" To be ill – for a very long time I did not know what that was. Yes, every now and then I had a cold, but that never prevented me from performing. In August I experienced the first symptoms. To stay home, not doing anything that was the only thing I could do. It started with the cancellation of two concerts in the Netherlands. But fairly soon there was nothing else to do and cancel an international tour".
Did you do a lot of thinking? "Actually it wasn’t too bad. As soon as I was horizontal, the body said: "Sleep!!" As soon as I see my bed, I am gone." Son Pierre, who is in the background pipes up and says: "Well Dad, you did receive two beautiful children." Says Rieu senior: "But that was a long time ago."
Now that they are indirectly referring to your wife Marjorie: where is she? "At home. She hates to fly. Actually she is afraid to fly. And I do not want to subject her to sit in a hall every evening and have to listen to the same repertoire. Marjorie only comes along if the distances from Maastricht are not too great and are easily achieved by car or train. Early next year in Cologne she will be there again, note pad in hand."
Notepad? "Marjorie writes all my mandatory texts for my shows. She knows exactly how I say things. That is not too shabby: we’ve been together for thirty-five years already. These last years I placed a lot out on contracts, but in the beginning Marjorie was involved in everything. I can still see the both of us cladding the stage chairs. Ever since I was a boy, I was convinced that I would marry someone with whom I could work with very well."
How business like are you? "I am very businesslike, but different then my bookkeeper. I think large, travel with an enormous circus all over the world. I do not watch my pennies then. I find it to be a wonderful life, and all my employees, 120 in total, are also allowed to partake in that. So: nice hotels, luxurious busses and enjoy good food and drink."
But your company almost went bankrupt two years ago. "Looking back you can say that I went a little too far for my international world tour by copying the Schönbrunn Castle in Vienna. But I thought that I could not expect people who paid top monies for a seat in the second or third category to accept a décor that they could otherwise also see in a small hall. It is true that I did not assess the risks associated with that too well. A blessing in disguise was that the bank had sufficient confidence in me and was willing to extend a loan."
According to the news we are talking about fifteen million Euros. "Fifteen million? Wish that were true: forty million I had to borrow. Hence there was no other way than to put everything up as collateral. Even my violin and my name. In my opinion, the negotiations went reasonably well. I needed money to place matters back in order: the bank knew that bankruptcy would turn out miserably. One thing would lead to another and no monies would further be received from the concerts, CD and DVD sales, merchandizing, and so on."
Do you still worry? "That time has passed, and as long as I do not do any crazy thing anymore and my health will not let me down again, everything will turn out alright. I know that for sure. I have had them screen me from my top to the bottom. According to the doctors, I am healthy to my core. But they also pointed out that I am no longer twenty years old and I have been relatively lucky with a mild warning from my body."Thanks to Ineke for sending this and John ©Translating it.
Attention Fort Lauderdale Concert GoersNBC is doing a spot on Andre, his unique style and his popularity, for their NBC Saturday and Sunday edition of the Today Show. They are looking for fans who will be attending his concert next Thursday, December 9 at the Bank Atlantic Center, and if you are willing to participate in this spot, please contact Sonja at sonja@andrerieutranslations .com for further details.
Some of us is going to San Diego tonight and more going toOntario tomorrow night! We're all very excited ... :)
