GUESTBOOK MAY 2007
MAY 2007 GUESTBOOK
Andre Rieu Fans & Friends Guestbook
Welcome to All Fans. Join Us!
*What is the origin of the name given to the fifth calendar month?
scroll your mouse below to find answerTo honor "Maiesta", the Roman goddess of honor and reverence
Do you remember hanging baskets on your neighbor's front door knobs on May Day? You rang the bell,or knocked on the door, and hid in the bushes. When they came to the door, SURPRISE, your little basket of flowers was hanging on the door knob full of spring cheer.
I had forgotten about hanging baskets. We used to make them as children. Little things but the work we put into them!
I enjoyed the May Pole. Wrapping brightly colored ribbon around a pole, intertwining the colors. Such fun.
Shirley...i think i need to relocate to Joplin! i have never ever gotten a basket of flowers on my door knob on May lst or on any other day from any neighbor anywhere! but it sounds like the most wonderful tradition! i think you should revive it. wouldn't it do us all a world of good to give and receive flowers from our neighbors! L
Have you seen ANDRE's message for today?
I'm very proud to announce that today, on her majesty's birthday, we have 6 dvd's in the Australian top 20! This must be a happy birthday for her, haha!
I wroye in, it does really says something!!!! Doesn't? How much the people in Austrralia craving for His and the JSO Presents!! My neighbor, the one who does not talk to me, would throw my flower as far as She coukld, so She do nbot get any! She just cultivates weeds, make sure I get some of the seeds also. Fighting Crabgrass from them all year. I spray them, The do not. Finally, a Happy May Day to All, I love the MEA CULPA from BILL!!!Shows, how human We are. We will forgive You, but the Lauras, might not!!?? Kati
I found that May was the 3rd month of the year in the ROMAN Calendar, the name probable comes from MAIESTA the Roman Goddess of honor and reverence!. Kati
May - Name Meaning and Origin
The girl's name May \may\ is pronounced may. It is of English origin, and its meaning is "the fifth month". The month of May was named for Maia, the Roman earth goddess. Also a short form of the names Matthew and Mary. Also a Sanskrit word meaning "illusion". See also Mai. Actress Mae West; writer Maya Angelou; poet May Sarton.
May has 12 variant forms: Mae, Maelee, Maelynn, Maia, Maj, Mala, Maya, Mayana, Maye, Mayleen, Maylene and Mei.
For more information, see also related names Annemae, Claramae and September.
Baby names that sound like May are Mya, Moya, Mayah, Maiya, Miya, Miah, Mia, Meya and Mea.
May is a very popular female first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census).
Hello and Happy May Day to all. I just read Wendy's review and her pictures are great! Makes me want to go to a concert!
what am I doing wrong??? I entered this morning a message, but it did not show up????
Sally, where have you got the idea that Céline Dion will attend the concert here in Montréal??? I hope not , she is not on my list of favorites!
Inge, I think your message is under the "May concerts" page. And I think that Mr Bill was just saying that it might be possible that Celine Dion might show up in the audience there, is that because she lives there? I don't know, but I doubt very much that would happen.Just Bill daydreaming,as Sally suggested.
Maybe , We are talking about a differeent Celine? We getting a lots of things confused lately, started with Bill!! Maybe He is wrong again?? Kati
Hi Inge: That is just Bill, who is wishing she would be there. I think he likes her singing.
I do not believe she will be at Andre's concert. She has a multiple year contract to appear in Nevada. Two friends of mine went to see her and one of them said she was disappointed, didn't like the show, the other came back saying it was one of the best she had seen. Different strokes.
Happy May Day dear friends. Just read Wendy's concert report and it was great as were the photos. I just love seeing everyone's photos. My pics are winging their way to Sally as I speak. I tried taking photos of everyone on stage but Andre kept getting in the way (HaHa). Oh what fun I had just clicking away at his every move. Being on the side though was a little harder to get all the JSO. Next time I should have no excuses unless my camera fails. I better not say to much considering my luck (or lack thereof) in Tampa. I thought about what Marlene Warren said about the odds of getting real sick on THAT day and I don't know what else to call it but that's life. I have a friend in New Mexico who always says "some days you eat the bear and some days the bear eats you". I know it's not quite that simple when the bear decides to eat you on a very important day but what does the bear know. Everything in life happens for a reason and most of the time we do not know what the reasons are. I do know that had it been possible I would have been there. I am still in recovery mode and only cleaned the car out yesterday.
Kati I know what you mean by neighbor's weeds. We spray for that yellow stuff and they have them all over the place (dandelion) but we do get along, they just have something against their grass I guess.
Hope everyone has a beautiful May full of Andre's music and concerts.
Hugs
Hi Jeanine Ann, I can't wait. I am working on your page already.
My neighbor's dog used to break a board (just one at the back) in our mutual fence and come lay in my yard. Her yard was full of 3' tall weeds. Mine had grass. I cannot count the times I came home to find the dog in my yard. She never did any wrong, or bothered anything. She just ran around to get some energy out and then layed under the trees in the shade on the grass. (I always wished I could have kept her.)
What a nice and inviting back yard. I wouldn't mind sleeping under a tree there! I love when people send pix of their personal spaces! I'm just one of those people who love to see people's environments! it helps to visualize and know the people themselves! like ruth and jims place...gosh even though i wasn't at the chat n chomps in the flesh i felt somewhat included! thanks for the foto! L
Hello, Wendy - or is it Jeanine Ann ! ?
Just one comment, please let me know, how to transfer photos to this site. I tried it but was not successful. Your response would be highly appreciated. I am using an Apple G-4.
Thank you,
Hermina
Hermina, I think it is Sally who puts the pictures on here.You might send them to Sally and she could put them on.
WENDY! great report and pictures!thank you. As for "dandylions", am I the only one who likes them? to me they are like little plugs of sunshine.
I did enjoy all the beautiful pictures and the write up by Wendy, I think at some point, when Andre says goodnight, they do not realize, there is more to come. I do not think, they are unpolite, but , they just do not know, happened to me also, the first time. Now, I am the last one to leave, after the Orchestra, make sure, I will not miss any Encore!! Kati
Thanks Shirley, I shall check this out!
Céline Dion is not living in Montréal, she is born not far from here in Charlemagne. I think she performs more in the US than in Canada, mostly in your area! Inge
hi guys! about celine dion....i was under the impression that she lived is Las Vegas close by to the theatre she performs in. at least she did some years ago but maybe she moved back to montreal???? sounds very strange. also the chances of celine dion attending a rieu concert seem strange. i just don't get it? bill are you just hoping she will attend ...or do you know something that none of us are aware of?
L
I don't know where Celine lives. I do know that on Mirusia's blog, Celine Dion has asked Mirusia if she can be her friend. That's right, there are 800+ friends on Mirusia's blog & Celine is one of them. that tells me she is at least aware of Mirusia's existence. I have no knowledge & haven't heard any rumors about Celine attending. I was merely speculating about the possibility.
Yes, but on MySpace we really don't know if the person's name, means it is really that person. such is the 'name' and 'life' of peeps on the internet.
okay i'm a party pooper! i don't think the Celine Dion of fame and fortune is blogging with Mirusia...and asking to be her friend? i do not think so. people use such names all the time. didn't we experience a similar situation awhile ago? celine dion is living in Las Vegas and working to sold out performances. someone probably just used her name on mirusia's blog. but maybe i'm soooo wrong....who knows anything can happen i guess. L
I tend to agree with you Lorraine.And,as Sally says, people can use any name in cyberspace and for that matter tell whoppers, so I don't believe everything I read or even see sometimes.
I really do think, Celine Dion, wanted a Show just for Herself, would not share with anyone!! I think I am right, She is too rich and Famous, She wants the stage just for Herself!! Kati
I think you are right about that Kati. Many 'stars' believe they are too big or their egos get in the way. That is one of the things I appreciate about Andre when he steps out of Center Stage, and asks everyone to clap and show appreciation for the JSO. He lets them accept that the applause is for them as well as he.
I'm with you.
I think, when She started Her multy year commitment for Vegad, They built an entire , upper for them as living quaters! I do not know, if that contract expired or not, is it for lifetime or not, but there were times, when We could read reports about some disappointments about Her show. With Andre, anything is possible!! Would be just another surprise! Kati
I must say, when Andre was in Nashville, I wanted to see Vince Gill sing with Andre & the JSO. Can you imagine? Those handsome men on stage and Vince's beautiful voice along with Andre's violin?
As We getting older and older, people here in the States getting to know and like Andre and JSO better and better. Time will come, when He will team up with Our Famous and well known artists in music, just give it the time!. First, He will have to go to Australia!! This way, He really makes the Whole World Happy. Kati
Wendy & David, I just read your report & clicked on every photo to see the enlarged one. Without a doubt, you 2 have taken sooooo many picture perfect photos, soooo many nice clear facial photos of the individual JSO members. Hopefully, we can add some names under each photo so others will know each persons name.
thanks again for taking so much time to share your concert going experience.
Wendy, your concert report was wonderful and the pictures were great! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Some of us have a long way yet to go before we can see our concerts and it's nice to read all about them
It's nice to see that 6 of Andre's dvd's are in the top 20 in Austrailia! I enjoyed reading the news so much!
Shirley, I always enjoyed dandelions and I love your description "little plugs of sunshine". I never wanted to cut them while cutting the grass.
I'm sending all of you good thoughts for a wonderful month of May, Happy May Day, Cinco de Mayo, Happy Mother's Day to those celebrating already
I went to a book store here in Geelong, Victoria, Australia today, and guess what they were playing on the sound system?
Andre Rieu Romantic Paradise!
I think that's great! Andre's popularity is certainly gaining rapidly there in Australia. To have 6 of Andre's dvds in the top 20 is fantastic.For you to hear his music in that store is wonderful. When I first saw Andre on tv,in 2003, I went out to several music stores to see if I could buy his music, and would you believe there was not one dvd or cd available?? I found out he had a web site so I ordered from there. Since then I order online, I haven't checked our local stores since, maybe I should, but I didn't think they deserved my business if I couldn't find even one place that sold his music! I even tried to order the Dublin dvd but it never was available.Isn't that too bad? Since I've had the Andre bumper sticker, I've had several people ask me about it and a lot of them never even knew he had a web site! I find that amazing too. Around here, if you don't happen to catch him on a PBS special , you'd never know, at least that's the way it used to be. I did see a person from Joplin in Andre's guestbook a couple of months ago. There are several of us here now, that I know of ,but wouldn't you think you could find his music playing somewhere? Occasionally I do hear him on a classical music radio station, especially at pledge time. Isn't it ironic that they get a lot of call ins when Andre is playing? That tells me something!
FANTASTIC !
Wendy, thank you for the beautiful photographs and report. The photos are first rate! I'm sure Andre will return to Orlando. Alot of people believe the concert is over when Andre bids them goodnite! So glad that you and your husband had such a wonderful experience. L
Lorraine, you are right! Yogi Berra(NY Yankees) used to say "it ain't over til it's over"!
Yes, that's right. And it is correct that maybe some did not know there would be encores. Same thing happened in New York. After the Good Night Song many concert goers started to walk out... I actually told a few... to wait and there would be more to come. Most of them turned around and sat back down. I wondered if it was their first concert and perhaps they simply did not know.
Wendy, it appears there is a new cello player in the background of one of your photos. Did you notice any other new players in the JSO?
Did you notice any 'regular' musicians missing? I've also noticed Arthur & Sanne standing & playing/looking at each other during one of the numbers. Also, I noticed Agnes & Cord standing, looking at each other & playing their violins at each other.
Yes Bill, your are right, different strokes, she is not my cup of tea, but a lot of people like her, even in my home country. I have always been more on the operatic side of singing, that is why I like André and his JSO, if he does not completely go into evergreens. Vienna is my kind of music. Céline is a multimillionaire and she makes her money in Vegas. In 2OO1 André wanted to go to Vegas for a Silvester concert, it was advertised on German TV, I still have it on the tape from Salzburg, his first "Zauber der Music", they offered a package deal of 2OOO.-- $ for the trip, but I guess it did not happen, nobody wanted to go there. Now he is going and he did his own advertising, he is better kown, too. Inge
AndreRieuFan Joanne sent a link to show the new concert lineup for Andre Rieu!
Upcoming North America Concerts
Few of them are missing, like my important Denver, or the Dec. 2nd Sacramento!? Kati
dear friends I havebeen trying to post sincce Apr 30th, but for some reason it's been lost in cyberspace, so will try again!! We are getting May showers but by the weekend it is supposed to warm up to l7 celcius, still not warm &
the soil is okay to plant ground crops, but Tomatoes, peppers etc will be at least another two or three weeks
The surgery went well, had the stitches out in 5 days, so it was a basal or squamous cell cancer & hadn't begun to travel. I am very blessed &
I thank you for all your prayers & good
wishes. Hope you are on the mend Jeanine Ann. We've had a nasty flu bug circulating in my community but so far have escaped the illness. Haven't really had a bout with flu since 1957
when the first Asian flu arrived in Canada. One thing I read a while back was that soda pop weakens the immune system, I just don't drink pop, its milk, water or fruit juices except for the odd cocktail with gingerale. Same is true for not being a candy freak. Once in a while I'll have some chocolate, but still have easter bunnies from a year ago so didn't have to stock up this year. Expect that is because, when I was pre-school, my Dad
had a convenience store in Calgary, &
I was allowed ONE maple bud a day if I was good!! So I just never developed a taste for a lot of sweets. I don't eat a lot of meat nowadays, am almost a vegan, but I am a very healthy person
so I am most thankful. Have finished all the tax stuff for another year & now I will start on the history of Hedley from 1941 to 1951, from age 8 to 18. There is a big reunion this week-end, but will mis it as the trip
is a bit too strenuous for now & my pal
isn't available, so no wheels & the town is off the beaten path, but I still may be able to go to the Edmonton
concert. Hope everyone is well Love
Marianne
Dear Marianne - so glad you are ok and that the surgery turned out so well. Will keep the prayers going for you. I am slowly getting there I guess but I am terribly tired. I think we were both run down from the long trip to Miami and we just picked up the flu so easily. Thank God I got to see my beloved Andre in concert and have so many beautiful memories. Sorry you must miss the reunion but certainly hope you can get to Edmonton. You deserve a treat!
Weather here has been beautiful the last few days with highs in the low 70's and all the cherry trees and dogwoods are in bloom. My little lilac tree is blooming and we have a beautiful tree in the back that always has dark pink blooms on it every year. Not sure what it is - then all the flowers become green leaves for the summer.
Have a beautiful day everyone. Hugs
Jeanine Ann, your tree with the dark pink blooms may possibly be a redbud. I have one in my backyard also and it's as you describe. they are quite beautiful. When the sun hits mine in the morning it almost glows. they do bloom about the same time as the dogwood.
I am hoping this month will have all of us back to the PINK of things.
Jeanine Ann Your yard sounds beautiful. I love trees. I find the variations of Trees wonderful.
Andre #6 in world wide ticket sales
http://www.twincities.com/ci_5796017?source=rss
Trees, trees, trees! I love trees! "I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree"... There is a certain time of morning, when the weather is nice,that I love to sit outside on the patio. i call it my meditation time. The sun comes shining through the big tree to the east, and the shadows it creates across the back yard is spectacular. The birds are singing their own songs, mama wren is fussing at me because I'm in her territory, where I have a little wren house, but I remain there.After the redbud is through blooming, then in June comes the mimosa, where the hummers love to flock to the pink fluffy blossoms for the nector. the red honeysuckle captures their attention too. I am happiest more at this time than any other.
I am a morning person. I like to get up early, and sit in the sunshine or watch the sun come up. Trees, Birds, all the Nature.. I love it.
I hope You got my Lilacs? Kati
Yes, and they are Beautiful Lilacs!
Kati, this is what mine looked like in March. (Ours bloomed early this year), but then came the April freeze and ruined my lilacs and my tulips!I have a purple and a white lilac and they were certainly beautiful for a bit, I did manage to cut a bouquet for inside, good thing I did! My redbud had bloomed early too, but the blossoms were changing to leaves when the freeze hit so it looks ok now.Our state's fruit trees were ruined too, not a good thing!
Everything is late here in Colo. this year, yesterday rain and Tornadoes, Snow in the Mountains, Who know this anymore? This is the Weekend, afternoon, bad storms, and rain. Hope to bike earlier. Kati
Thank you Shirley you could be right. It is quite beautiful. We have so many trees around our house which is nice but then in the autumn you know what that means - tons of leaves.
Hugs
Marianne, I so happy to hear your surgery was such a success. As I said before, I believe that you are too good a person and we all need your wonderful writings, to have anything happen but good happen to you. Will continue sending you good thoughts and prayers for continued health, and, of course, that you are able to go to Edmonton!
Isn't this time of year so beautiful? Lilacs, I love the Dogwoods, Azalea's, Rhododendron's are starting to come out all over, they are so beautiful.
It's been stormy here the last couple of days, not so much today as yesterday. Supposed to be nice this weekend.
I hope everyone is starting their May month out nicely. Take care everyone.
About buying programs, I have bought the occasional one, but as you say Bill, my hands are always full and to be honest, lO.-- $ for pictures that I have seen a million times????? plus in the program is never the evenings event in, only general and they change, if I see pictures I do not know, I buy one and give it to my husband, haaaaaaaaa!
I am glad you are fine with your surgery , Marianne, I have something like that on my eye lid and got only an appointment for August 21, so I will try to get in next week, I do not like to leave it. So wish me luck!!! Inge
Everyone does sound like they are in the Pink of things! Spring has Sprung here also. Out of darkness comes light...everywhere is green and blooming with flowers (including those plugs of sunshine, Shirley. i have to admit, i'm like kati, i like them but not in the middle of my lawn or deck!)...Ahhhhhhhh Spring. I vow that next week i will sit outside on my patio for one hour no matter what my schedule looks like!
Marianne, SO HAPPY THAT EVERYTHING WENT WELL WITH YOUR SURGERY. HOORAY!
I also had wonderful news this week after i went in for a procedure! God is so good!
Back to the drawing board...a big show in Manhattan this weekend for us! Hope it will be warm. We are around the museum of Natural History for the Crafts on Columbus show and the street we are on can be a windtunnel...if it is cool it can be grueling! Prayers are definitely requested! Have a grrrreaat weekend friends, Lorraine
I am happy, put my Bike ride in, earlier, the weather just changing, rainy weekend, good excuse, not to ride, just enjoy the music, by Andre, and relax. Kati
I'm going to get up early tomorrow, start the laundry, make pumpkin coffee and enjoy the day, while web working.
Inge, good luck with your doctor appointment. Hope everything turns out well for you. Best wishes and prayers coming your way! You too Lorraine. I hope it will be a great weekend for you with very calm, warm weather.
Kati, you deserve a break so you can take some time away from biking and enjoy Andre. We all need to relax now and then. Today I got out for the first time since the trip to Miami. I just did not have the energy before today and even now I am not a tower of power. I am taking good care of myself for the 16th.
Hope everyone has a beautiful weekend and a big THANK YOU Sally for all the hard work that you are doing for my concert report and have done for everyone else. Hugs
Yes, Best Wishes Inge. I know all will turn out well for you, because everyone has positive thoughts and prayers headed your way.
And Lorraine, I know your work brings a little stress, but that's because you are so popular!
I can feel that little something traveling towards you.
Jeanine Ann, I'm happy you were able to get out. It is a good thing you rested when you were not feeling well, but now you are getting back to it.
I'll be web-working tomorrow. Wish me luck. (and isn't it wonderful all the Andre sites we all have? I think it would be cool for everyone to have a page or site. We would WOW Andre with them all!)
HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!Sally, I have one question...what is "pumpkin coffee"?(as I sit here drinking my Cappuccino cooler), is it cold or hot? I've not heard of that before.
And Lorraine, knock 'em dead! positive thoughts coming your way.
Before the Durby, have a wonderful Hockey game, then the Derby, and a glance at the Queen! I will be watching! Kati
Hi Shirley: Silly me ordered two flavored coffees. Now I've got to drink them. One was Banana Nut (wish it had more Banana, less Nut) and the other was Pumpkin Spice, which smells like Pumpkin Pie when brewing. It's ok, but I normally drink Black Coffee so I am still working on the right blend for my taste buds. Right now, I like what I made, but it has a slight aftertaste I've got to get rid of, or learn to like for the time being. I bought 2 pounds of each, as a treat for my weekends.
Weekend coffees of Pumpkin and Banana Nut ...yummmmm...sounds good to me.
Inge, I also hope all goes wonderful for you!
The Manhattan show was really excellent...thank you Shirley, Sally and all for your good good wishes and prayers!
Tomorrow they say will be colder....i'm noivous already (that's a nyc nervous).
The wonderful thing was that the public liked my new designs and they were received so well. That is always good!
Sally you have me on the edge of my seat!
I'm falling apart at the moment, so i'll say goodnight and check in tomorrow. Everyone, enjoy your beautiful weeks end! L
Hello, do anyone know, who is the Female Part (her Voice is really great) in the composition Edelweiss from André Rieu. It be really great to know that.
I don't know at this time, but I will in another 30 days. I just ordered Waltzertram (pal)DVD & a region free DVD player.
I do have the
dvd, and it is Susan Erens voice, in a beautiful white evening gown. on top of the
Alps, with the whole Orchestra. Kati
Thomas, I hope someone knows the answer to your question, the voice is beautiful indeed. I just want to wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, Barb Wilson!
Hello Shirley & Everyone: I heard from Thomas and he found out the voice is Suzan.
Here is a snippet of his email:
Great! mystery solved! I've been driving myself crazy trying to find a version with singing.I suspected it might be Suzan but have never heard her sing it. I've only heard the beautiful voice of Julie Andrews sing that one.On the cd of Dreaming & At The Movies you can hear the beautiful violin of Andre Rieu. That is heavenly!
I see where Thomas is referring to Suzan Erens as Andre's daughter-in-law.
Is that official? I hadn't heard that she and Pierre had gotten married. That
would be wonderful.
I just want to wish Barb Wilson a very Happy Birthday too!! Happy Birthday Barb!
Why am I always the last to find out, anything & everything?
Happy Birthday, Barb.....or as they say in German;
Glücklicher Geburtstag, Barbara
Yes a Happy Birthday for a Special Lady !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARB!!! MAY YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL HAPPY AND VERY HEALTHY YEAR FILLED WITH MUSIC, FLOWERS AND FRIENDS.
L
Hey girls and guys - check out the NEWS page! Have a wonderful Sunday my friends. Hugs
No break here, I ride ny Bike, in the Morning, it is not so bad, just windy, later turn very atrocious! Tornadoes and all. See, another Town complitely gone, I sure pray for the people, more will be alive, maybe in their basemenr, or out of town? We just never know, what Nature brings Us Today! Is there a Tomorrow, We only can hope. I am riding every day, do my gardenwork, getting ready for my Roses, and spoil my Dog! I told You, May is going to be better!! Katti
Kati, I hope May will bring beautiful things for you. You never do know what life brings. I feel so sorry for all those people who lost everything in Kansas. We prayed for them in church this morning. Glad you are riding. You don't get any of that bad weather where you are do you? We are lucky here - only two little tornado's in the past two years. Florida was different, storms all the time but we were still lucky.
Keep spoiling your doggie. Hugs
Better Weather in the Mornings, that is why I ride early, latetr, turns nastuy, all the warnings, and the Tornadoes, You just never know,m what hits You. That little town in Kansas, got ot twice, the second time, heavy rain, all mushed up, all the rubble, I hope more survived in their basement! Kati
dear friends, Really enjoyed the post of Andre for teacher of the year as it is so fitting, that he teaches us to be better folks without really stating the fact, it seems to be something that just comes as part of who he is!!
I have watched his expressions as he gazes at his audiences, & it seems to me that he sees each individual, rather than a sea of faces, which is quite remarkable. Haven't seen a post from Carol so hope she is okay & it sounds like you had a bad strain of flu, Jeanine Ann. Get your red blood cell count done as it may be lower than
it should be & that will make you just
plain tired all the time!! Weather here is much improved & so far tornadoes haven't touched down in our area as we on the edge of tornado alley
but we do get a lot of wind that makes the hair-dos go straight up. I'm lucky that I can finger comb my hair if needed, so I don't look too witchy. The voting is going well. noted today that elvis is way down which is okay by me, but he is still in 2nd place overall, with Andre leading the parade
No-one deserves to be man of the year more than Andre!! Liked Kat's lilacs which were at their peak before a nasty frost. At my wedding, in 1953, we
had to have a garden reception as the
reception hall had burned to the ground some months prior, but the weather co-operated & it all went very well. That right click busines seems to work very well so have been using it
& haven't lost a post since. Love to all Marianne
These German Fans know how to have fun. Take a look at "Andre & his 12 Ladies" .....
WUNDERBAR!
Hello All,
I just purchased a VHS video called " A Dream Come True" that was made several years ago about Andre's general background. While, I was disappointed that it didn't show Marjorie or the children, it was still an enjoyable experience.
At one point in the program, Andre mentioned that there were four couples in the orchestra. I knew about Ruud the trombonist and Lin the violinist being married. Does anyone else know who the other couples are? I am very intrigued to find out who is married to who in the orchestra. I noticed the absence of wedding rings with alot of the musicians, but that may just choose not to play with them on.
Hope everyone is doing well. As mentioned before, let's keep those poor folks in Kansas in our prayers. These storms in the south have been brutal over the last few days. In south Louisiana, we got four inches of rain in one day. That caused some flooding in nearby New Orleans and caused a stir. New Orleans has ALWAYS flooded, but since Katrina they all get more upset about it.
Best Wishes and thanks in advance for information about these mystery couples.
Mac
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY BARB WILSON. Sorry I missed that. I hope it was most happy for you.
Thanks Marianne for the advise on the blood test. I did that right before my trip and my red cells were within range so I guess it is just due to the flu. It was very bad, hit us both so suddenly that we didn't know what hit us! What I need now is a big shot of VITAMIN A! Will get that next week!!
Mac, isn't that a wonderful video. We were just talking about who are couples in the JSO not too long ago. Jet is married to Ton and Lin and Ruud are married I think. Frank and Sanne (Sax player) are a couple and Tanya and Roos (stage manager) are a couple. That is all I know so far. There must be more but I forget. Have a wonderful Monday everyone. Hugs
Jeanine Ann,
Thanks so much for the information. I didn't think anyone was going to respond at first. I noticed on some DVD extras and some of the photos on the Andre website that Frank and Sanne were rather close. At the same time, I had pegged Frank and Kremi (sp)? as a couple. She sits next to him on stage and they have a good chemistry together. Sanne is a very pretty lady and she can really play that saxophone. I didn't think I would warm up to her. Renate and Manoe had such a good chemistry on stage. I loved when Renate would give Manoe that dead-pan stare during Funiculi Funicula. Classic.
Thanks again
Sally, you are wonderful! Thank you, thank you, thank you ....and especially for your website. It is a great place to visit. Everyone's posts are so interesting.
Hey Marianne, i can see you "finger-combing your hair". When i'm in Manhattan and it is windy, I always look like a witch! So i giggled when i read that!
The whole show this weekend was wonderful. We met many new people and the weather turned out to be fine. Thanks everyone for the "positive thoughts".
Glad your blood test was good Janine. It must be the month for tests for everyone! I have one more to go and then its over. Thrilling! The last one was a doozy.
Gotta go, that wonderful new Nature show is on tv. In high def it is the most amazing thing i've ever seen. It's like you are right there. Last week they showed elephants swimming UNDERWATER....amazing!
Jeanine, thanks for those close-ups! You were really close!
Cleaned the house today to D.J. OTSI'S "anton aus Tyrol". this weekend at a show i met a guy who came from Tyrol and he reminded me of this crazy crazy cd. it is a hysterical one! wish Andre would have D.J. otsi come to one of the concert's he is so much fun.
L
This is National Music Week
I love this quote........."Music is what feelings sound like".
wonderful, wonderful quote. that is why i love the viola da gamba...when i cannot cry and need to, the viola cries for me! L
I love that quote.
As a child learning piano, if I were sad, I would play a sad song and cry. If I was happy or wanted to feel happy, I would play a happy upbeat song. I still use this today. My car CD is all upbeat happy music.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/TVNewsman/Avatars/RainbowLorikeets2.jpg
I've returned home from Australia, and this is one of my bird photos that I promised you.
It was a 34 hour travel day, and needless to say I have a bit of jet lag.
Al, that's just enough to whet the appetite! what beautiful birds.Looking forward to see more of your ventures in Australia.
Al....NICE LORIKEETS! looking forward to your trip photos! With a 34 hour trip behind you, i'm sure it will be awhile til you publish them! Baited breath! L
Wow. I have never seen anything like that. Those birds are so colorful.
HI Bill, I wanted to order that Waltzertram but I noted they are always PAL. Not sure I can play those. Let us know how you like it.
And Lorraine, I too like DJ Otzi and have one of his CD's which he does in English. Wish he would appear with Andre again sometime.
Hope you are all well and that everyone is having better weather.
Marilyn
Marilyn....glad i'm not alone in the D.J. Otsi. The "Anton aus Tyrol" is call "the album" because it has hey baby on it too (i think that is from Kangaroo Jack)...when i'm blue, glum, tired or have to do a housecleaning chore and just cannot muster up the strength i put this on and with an ear to ear smile i am able to breeze through. There is another album that works like this for me too, it is by Renzo Arbore...he is a musician from italy that has a big band and singing group. they have revived all of the Neopolitan songs without detracting from them...i think one has to really love the Neopolitan songs to like this one...it is called Napoli, punto e capo. wonderful!
the sun is bursting here on long island. i promised myself a sit in the garden and that i will do! have a great day everyone, L
Hi everyone, Jeanine Ann, those pictures were nice, thanks for sharing!
I know I'm late with my "thanks", but I've been too busy to do anything fun.
Take care all.
Jeanine Ann has more photos and a story I am putting up as well. I had a headache yesterday night and didn't finish the page
Too much pumpkin coffee???
Hi dear friends, Don't know if any of you saw the article on Andre through Yahoo alerts but below is my reply to him. Hugs
To: tomrobotham
From: Jeanine Metzler
Subject: Re: Andre Rieu Article
Cc:
Mr. Robotham,
I don't know what City or newspaper you represent and I don't really care. You certainly don't represent the millions of Andre Rieu fans who will be the first to disagree with you on your comments. I have been a fan for several years and I attend his concerts, just lately driving 1200 miles to see him and have another concert planned next week.
Andre Rieu had a dream years ago to bring a unique and interesting and certainly beautiful style of classical music to people who were afraid of going to classical concerts. They feared they would not understand the sometimes stiff style that type of music can bring. He has realized his dream and now millions of people can participate happily in something they never understood.
I have seen audiences throughout Europe and the United States reveling in Mr. Rieu's music. He is an accomplished musician who speaks five languages and has an amazing skill for arrangement of the beautiful music that we hear. His JSO Orchestra is full of talented musicians who have been with him for years and will continue to be for as long as Mr. Rieu continues with his dream. If you ever stop long enough Mr. Robotham to watch his DVD's you may get an idea of what I am speaking about but a lot of times people like you can only criticize and not realize that a lot of people in the world appreciate Mr. Rieu's hard work and beautiful style of Waltz music. I am sure that Johann Strauss would be proud to know that his music lives on through this amazing man.
I have met so many wonderful people through Mr. Rieu's music and this is special to me. He has brought so much to my musical life that was never present before. It is too bad Mr. Robotham that you will never experience this.
Sincerely,
Jeanine Ann Metzler
A Forever Andre Rieu Fan
Jeanine Ann, I hadn't read that Tom Robotham's article, had to go searching for it.Seems he's editor-in-chief of this Portfolio weekly.I gather he has a problem with some of the PBS programs, especially Andre Rieu. I've read comments like his before. Nothing we say will convince these so called critics to change their minds. Even though this lady tells him what Andre's purpose is, he thinks that if people want to hear the classical music they should just listen to the likes of Leonard Bernstein. Well, let me tell you, from an early age I listened to the classical music of the likes of Mozart, Haydn,Strauss,Beethoven,Brahms,just to name a few. i watched, on TV, the operas, the ballets, you name it. There was something about this music I loved( now I like other music, but to me this was special), but being a poor, small town girl, I never ever dreamed that I could ever possibly attend such such things. They seemed only for the privileged and elite, but that didn't stop me from loving them. Then one day I saw Andre on TV and I thought now this would be great! These people seem just like ordinary people and they were actually smiling and having a great time.When I heard Carmen and Carla sing,I told dan, this is the way a concert should be! Then, to my surprise, I found out that Andre would be coming to the US. I decided then and there,if it was within driving distance, we would go! My lifelong dream could come true. This was a concert I could certainly attend and feel at home. Maybe it's because I am only from a small town that I felt this way, but I'm sure I'm not the only one. I think Andre brings the music to the people who might not go otherwise, whatever the reason. And I've never left a concert where anyone has said I'm sorry I came! If he brings happiness to the people he does a good thing.
More bird photos.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/TVNewsman/Avatars/Sulpher-crestedcockatoos2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/TVNewsman/Avatars/Sulpher-crestedCockatoos1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/TVNewsman/Avatars/Sulpher-crestedCockatoo2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/TVNewsman/Avatars/RainbowLorikeet1-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/TVNewsman/Avatars/CrimsonRosellas2.jpg
Absolutely beautiful! Al, you have gone to the birds!
There was an error in posting. I ran two links together. Please replace the last long one with these two:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/TVNewsman/Avatars/kukaburra1.jpg
How do I post pictures on your site so that they show up as images instead of links?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/TVNewsman/Avatars/CrimsonRosella1.jpg
Al,bbbbbeeeeeeuuuuuuuttttttiiiiffffffuuuuullllll!!!!! photographs! Finally i get to see a kukaburra (after all these years of loving the song about kukaburra sitting in the old gum tree!)
6 6 6 6 -6 -6 -6 6 5 5
Kukaburra sits on an old gum tree;
5 5 5 5 -5 -5 -5 5 4 54
Merry, merry king of the bush is he.
7 -6 -7 7 -6 6 5 -5 6 -5
Laugh Kukaburra, laugh kukaburra!
5 4 4 4 4
Gay your life must be.
thanks so much for bringing back great childhood memories! kukaburra is much cuter than i ever imagined him to be!
Wow, what a treat! Thanks so much for
the wonderful pictures.
Jeanine Ann, i was so curious i looked up the article and read it. many, many people feel that way about andre because he "amends" many of the pieces he plays in order to appeal to the public.
the most wonderful think, i think, in my little humble, often controversial opinion, is: andre is great because he opens up a world of classical music to people who might never access that world. once accessed, the individual can continue to explore and grow and either leave rieu in the dust, OR, like me ...continue to appreciate him, and the beautiful rainbow orchestra which is in itself a work of art. presentation is always very important...just look at what goes into packaging.
but content is also important. i, too, sometimes get a bit chagrinned at the jokes. sometimes they are okay...but other times i think he's overdone it (like at Schonbrunn....just too silly for my taste).
but, i don't discount the entire body of work because i didn't like a certain aspect of it.
i think there are two dangers: one thinking the man can do no wrong.
and two: thinking the man can do no right.
i would hope that all of us rejoice in what we each get from andre.
i don't put him on a pedestal. and, a little of what the article said i agree with, (i've thought of lawrence welk too)...but what's wrong with lawrence welk...nothing.
jeanine i think it is so good and kind of you to defend andre rieu. you are coming from a wonderful place of loyalty and friendship.
but, i think the article makes some valid points.
now i'm really in deep yoghurt, love, L
Al - those birds are just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.
The DVD came today. It is beautiful and I haven't even looked at it yet!!!
Sally get better soon. Hugs
Hi Lorraine, In my letter to Mr. R. I wrote that I have met so many wonderful people through Andre and you are one of them Lorraine. I guess I am the first person you mentioned "one thinking the man can do no wrong". Maybe that is a fault of mine but that is ok. We all have our opinions and I will defend Andre always. I like to think that he "arranges" rather than "amends" the music and that is ok too. It is his dream and he can arrange it any way he wants.
You are a special person Lorraine because I know you love Andre too and that is all that matters. Love and hugs
hi jeanine ann...you are a wonderful person...no i wasn't referring to you at all, at all, at all....about his doing no wrong...
what i like most about andre rieu...is the people he's brought into my life, like you! and everyone else on this site! love U, and all, L
Hey everyone, please read the letter from Hanlie Jensen on the "Andre For Teacher Of The Year" page. If that is not a good reason to defend Andre, then what is? God bless her.
Hugs
love your lilacs Kati! lilacs are one my favorite favorites....ahhhhh flowers...flowers and perfume and music....ahhhhhh!
I work on it every day! I am really fussy about Our yard, it has to be just so. Sometimes, it is more work than I want, but it is worth it. Kati
Thanks Lorraine - love you too and all. Did anyone get the Romance DVD? Will play it tomorrow. Hugs
Well said Jeanine! I totally agree.
I did get the dvd today also, I was wondering about it. I haven't watched it yet either. Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I'm thinking that perhaps Andre was going to do another dvd and, or cd in about June or July. If so I'm hoping to see Mirusia on it.
Hi Shirley,
I received my DVD of "My Romance" yesterday and watched it last night. While anything from our beloved maestro is wonderful, I must confess that I was a little disappointed to find that it was mostly clips from Tuscany, The Flying Dutchman, Maastrict, and various DVD's that I already have. There was one song from Tuscany that was not on the original program and there was a clip from Paris that was new to me. There were some additional camera angles and different dialogue, but the music was largely the same.
I do hope that he will release a DVD with Mirusia on it. I am anxious to hear her sing. Is she a "replacement" for Carmen or Carla. I know that Carmen has been on her own for a while.
Best wishes and kindest regards.
Mac
Hi Macky, would you believe I still have not watched it yet. I did know what it would be though when I ordered but I figured it might be a good "loaner" to someone who had not seen Andre yet, just to give them an idea of the variety of Andre.And I think it was Mirusia who mentioned that she would be making a cd and dvd with Andre in June and July.
Shirley, I just got my DVD, finally, I do agree with You! The most beautiful music put together, representing Andre, and JSO, it would be truly a wonderful Gift for someone, Who have not heard of them! I enjoyed it over and over again, I do have the previous DVDs, but You just never can get enough! Thanks Andre!! Kati
It seems that Mr. R. is on an entirely
different "wavelength" than Andre and
his fans. What Andre and his fans deem
important is very different from what Mr. R. is looking for. I think he would
be spending his time more productively
if he stuck to writing about traditional symphonic/classical orchestras. I think Andre and his music are wonderful as they are, and
definitely don't need much, if any,
defending.
Hear Hear!
This reminds me of last New Year's Eve. Lorraine reminded all of us to watch the New Year's Eve concert from Vienna and it was Spectacular! The music was glorious. Thank goodness we did not limit ourselves to one style, but allowed our hearts to be filled with many unique interpretations of music. It was a wonderful concert and I am happy to have seen it. I refuse to choose between the two styles. I will have them BOTH!
Me too. I love both styles. I think Bill pointed out that the New Years Eve concert put on by the VPO could have employed more colorful clothing. Oh that would have been glorious! But, the concert was wonderful.
What true true classical music buffs find fault with is the cutting of music. I've read articles that said peole who cut music do not think the audience has the staying power to like the entire piece.
I think Andre does a great thing. He makes the music tremendously enjoyable by presenting it in a manner that everyone enjoys. This way, those who want to continue exploring can do just that. Many who do continue on ....would have never began their explorations if it were not for Andre Rieu. That in itself is a tremendous accomplishment!
Sally, you are right. One does not have to take away from one artist to attribute accolade to another. Art in itself should be individual...after all it is a representation of things/sound/form/shape that is INTERPRETED by the artist.
Just because I don't care for some of the jokes...doesn't mean that those jokes do not make millions of people happy. I'm happy for all the happiness Andre Rieu brings to people (including me).
I guess what does not make me happy is intolerance. On whatever side we come from. That kind of thing promotes warring. yucko.
I think it is so so good to have one's own opinion. Just think how boring the world would be with one color, one flower, one song, one race...yuk!
I love a good discussion! Arguments, no. But a good discussion, what could be better. It is how we get to look inside one another and learn. We can choose to accept or reject others opinions.
As a designer, i grow and grow from things observed. Sometimes i see another designers designs and don't like anything about them....but...love the material, the texture, or a color. then, i can be inspired by that designers use of things even though i really don't like their ultimate design.
i have the freedom to make of it that which i like!
let's see, discuss, opine, not with animosity or angst, but in friendship and love so that we can all grow.
otherwise, maybe we'll be stepford people in a stepford world ....yukoroni!
well i love you all. i feel i need you all too as friends. so i hope no one is angry at me for my opinions. know this, without them, i would be one big gigantic phony...and i'd rather express them and take my chances than deceive.
have a good day friends, Lorraine
dear friends Just a note to lend my thoughts re Andre & his music, which has brought me so much love & attention from the friends &'ve met through the guestbooks etc. I don't think I've read a comment that was not up-lifting & joyous so the Mr R. needs
a bit of retooling so he will get what
our Andre is all about. No I don't think he's perfect as none of us are. I expect he has moments when he'd like to run away for a bit of peace, but he does have a strong family support which
has been part of his dream from the beginning & I for one am most asppreciative of his efforts. I tried to post a reply for Hanlie, but got the message that the web was too busy so will try again. In the meantime I
will add her in my prayers for a surcease of pain if not remission. I do know that when your pray for others that help does come as it has for me &
again thanks for tour prayers. We all have our burdens but with help from our friends & the Good Lord, we can perservere. Love to all Marianne
Good points Marianne. I am sad for Mr. R. He does not feel the friendship we all share. Not only is Andre's musical interpretation unique, but each of his fans are as well. I know the love we fans share for each other and how our friendship continues to grow. I say a prayer of Thanks each day for this Family of Friends.
Nettie sends us these links:
From the Air
http://www.kansas.com/static/slides/050507tornadoaerials/
From the ground
http://www.kansas.com/static/slides/050507tornado/
Wow Nettie...thanks for sharing those photographs! It was like a huge paper shredder came in and shredded the entire community! Now these are some people who need prayer! Amazing photos that left my jaw hang open. Amazing.
May the Lord bless and take care of each and every family effected by this disaster. May His mercy be with each one. My hope is that all will be recovered and hearts will be healed.
My heart goes out to the people in Greensberg. That anyone survived is a miracle to me. This was an F-5, over 200 mph winds. Anyone living in "tornado alley" is very familiar with these sights.Around here, our "practice sirens" go off every Mon at 10am. If you hear them any other time you better hit the deck! When the storm clouds gather, especially in the spring, we are on the alert.When you see one of these funnel clouds, well,if you weren't a praying man before, you will become one!
It is so sad to see all the demages, I am happy, Some professional help is on the way from Colorado also, I hope, people will be able to rebuild, and their home back soon, God Bless them All. Kati
Hi Nettie - thank you so much for sharing those photos. They are a tremendous reminder of how terrible the force of nature can be. I have been praying for those poor people. I've never seen such devastation. I was a trained weather spotter when I lived in Florida and thankfully never had the chance to see a tornado form, they were usually above us around the Tampa area where most of the air masses collide in violent weather. I never want to see any either. Thanks again. Hugs
Hi Lorraine - I agree with you, I think everyone should have his or her opinion and I respect that. The friends I have met here are just too wonderful to risk losing. Andre unites us, we cannot allow anyone to divide us for any reason. I know I am loyal to a fault but even I realize that he is not perfect (maybe almost haha). All I know is that he makes the world happy and when I saw the letter from Hanlie I cried and thought - this man brings so much happiness and fulfillment into this woman's life and I am so happy for that. LUV U all. Hugs
dear friends I just looked at thedevastation from the tornado in Greensburg Kansas & it is horrendous.
but the people are already beginning the rebuilding. They were raising the stars & striped on the flagpole of the Legion building & the comment was the flagpole may be bent but not broken so it just goes to show the indomitable spirit of people amidst adversity. we
will always have disaters with us but we can & will overcome, which is what mankind have been doing for millenia.
The birds of Australia are magnificent,
so thank you for sharing Al. Will look for more pics once you are back to normal. Did you see Andre's latest
post. From that I would think an Oz trip is in the works in the next year or two, so maybe we'll have to give up our N.A tours which will be sadly missed but we too have to share. Love
to all Marianne
I think we don't have to worry about losing North American tours. A tour of Australia would probably only include about a half dozen cities - Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and perhaps Perth, Hobart and Darwin, but those last three cities are isolated from the others by a lot of miles and/or ocean water.
Here is an article that is critical of Andre
If you feel inclined to want to say something to the writer, you can email Tom:
tom.robotham@portfolioweekly.com
Let him know how you feel about his criticism
Jeanine Ann has written to him, very beautifully IMHO, to express how she feels and why. There are many critics who feel similar to this man, but Andre laughs all the way to the Stage and the Bank.
I do agree, and He deserves it, as hard as they do work? Kati
Hi everyone. I just saw Andre's post and it does look like they may be going down under. I certainly hope so for all the great fans there.
Made a dry run to Reading today to check out the Sovereign Center and we found it!! I immediately got butterflies just at the thought of Andre being there at this time next week! Hope everyone is having a wonderful day. Hugs
Hi there
I like to send you more datas for your birthday list, but all come´s back, please give me your email address so I can send it again. René
Hi René It is very nice to met you and good to hear from you. I will send you an email when I come home from work.
Hello Everyone: Here is René's email of birthdays. :::::::
I like to give you some birthdays of members from andre rieus jso. see below.
If you have any questions, please donŽt hesitate to contact me.
Jan03 Freya// Jan23 Monica// Mar22 Jet// Apr11 Lin// Sep10 Kremi// Nov03 Diana// Dec25 Frank St.// Dec31 Margriet// Dec14 Klaartje// Mar31 Roland L.// Dec29 Stéphanie// Sep10 Ward// Aug26 Teun// Oct13 Roger// May23 René// Aug24 Ruud// Mar19 Marcel// Jul03 Mireille// Jul20 Frederique
regards René from Suisse
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RENE!! THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO! ENJOY YOUR DAY!!! Kati
I'm trying to gather all the JSO members birthdays.
Please email them to me.
Sincerely,
Bill in Arizona
southpawbc-phxazandreconcert@yahoo.com
Today is Rene's Birthday! Do You remember? Kati
I think this says it all.....
"Music does bring people together.
It allows us to experience the same emotions.
People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit.
No matter what language we speak, what color we are,
the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith,
music proves: We are the same."
~ John Denver ~
Thank you Shirley. How true that is! I just finished watching "Romance" and what a beautiful DVD it is. No matter where Andre plays, whatever the language you can see from the faces of the people that they feel united through music. I always feel a connection to them because I know we are all feeling the same as we listen to a certain song. The music brings memories back to us and even if they are all different memories, the connection is still the same. I know I have seen everything that is on the DVD but as I watched it I felt that I was seeing and hearing each song for the first time. I know I will have that feeling every time I watch it. It is beautiful in every way. Hope all of you have it by now. Have a beautiful day! Hugs
How nice of René to send in the birtdates! Looks like they must be reading this website.
Jeanine Ann, you did a good job to write to that critic. I have read a few like that in German papers, too. It does not mater what those people say, main thing, we like him and his JSO and I hope that "NICE" man puts your mail behind his ears!
I got today my soaps from Maastricht and I watched them for over 2 hours this afternoon. It is very interesting how they all function together. André is always laughing, firm, but in good spirits and it must be super to work with him, he also likes the lamp light, otherwise he would not be where he is today.
I did not look in this GB for a few days, last Monday I was in a car accident near Ottawa. My friend drove and she hit a car frontal, we were very lucky, everybody got away with blue bruises and my friend the driver with a ticket and a shock. She is a dear friend, but the worst driver and I shall rather walk next time, haaaaaaaa! We had a good angel, but the car is totaled.
gosh Inge, you both were lucky to come out with minor bruises. I had to remember back, to a friend of mine, much like yours, She was not a good driver at all. we had some pretty close calls, I finally offered to do the driving! You know, that critic that was so negative about andre. I wonder what he thought of Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. Arthur had the same feelings about music as Andre and I think they were very popular. In fact, if we would compare Andre to anyone it might be them. But really, even then, Andre can really be compared to no one. Maybe he has the critics because he doesn't fit "their" mold. He must be doing something right, huh? Look at all the people who beg for him to come to their countries.
Oh MY Goodness. Thank God you are doing ok and you & your friend are doing good after a crash that totals a car.
We just do not know Life from one Day to the another! Glad, You are OK!. I bruised myself, on a long Bike ride, thought nothing about, when My Brother said, come over, We will Ride together. OK. I had a tour bike, much heavier than mine, that is a light race Bike, and a very memorable Ride, 13 miles, up and down, and I was not sure, if I will make it in one piece? I did, all my muscles aching, Led in my legs, but, I did my kind of Ride today, I call it the old peoples's circle, about 3 miles around a retirement community, I do it twice, and by the time I make it home, I call it 7 miles, barely made it.
So glad you and your friend are ok Inge. Your guardian angel certainly did look after both of you. Thanks for your nice comments about my letter. I think he is going to publish it in his newspaper. Maybe we will get some new friends for Andre.
You are right Shirley. Andre is doing a lot right. People cannot wait for him to come to their countries and you can tell from the DVD that they just adore him as we do. I was trying to order a new computer today and I am tired so off to bed and sweet dreams.
Hugs
Yes Shirley, my friend is a super person, but she had me in stitches in Ottawa 5 times I thought it would come to an accident and finally on the way home it happened. I wished she would not drive , has nothing to do with age, she has just a reaction like a snail.
Jeanine Ann, we had a good angel, so I just have to forget about it.
I read a critic about André in 2OO1 from a professor of music and he said, André is a kitchgeiger, but he sure knows how to sell himself. I thought a lot of envy talked out of his comments. He , a perfect musician in classical music and never made all that much money with teaching and then a violin player with good looks and charm plays half classical music and becomes a millionaire envious people are not far, André knows that , but it must still hurt sometimes to read that crap.
Any other orchestra that dresses the ladies in beautiful gowns will simply be copying Andre and the JSO.
Andre has found the winning formula. I often wonder whether or not the critics could do as well. The answer, of course, is a resounding "NO"
I am sure, agree with You on the crap!! If a person, works so hard as He did, all these years, and finally got succesfull, hard work, and good business decision, so why others envy Him? Jealous of Him? Anybody can try, anf see if succession comes. They were as a Family, determinated enough, to work so hard, and finally succeeded! Good for thgem, and all of us, who loves His style, and His jokes, and naturallyt His music. I have it on every day! It just makes me go through the day that much easier!! Thank You Andre!! Kati
Yes, I do not begrudge anyone what they have worked for. I know so many of us work hard for our little bit in life. No matter what the financial respect, I appreciate those who are working and striving to achieve their goal.
ANDRE RIEU TULIPS!!!!!
Did you know Holland has an ANDRE RIEU TULIP?? It is a new tulip and not yet for sale in the shops. Americans can order the bulbs right now from the catalog www.dutchgardens.com. Search "Andre Rieu tulip" and order! This is the right time to do that. The bulbs will be sent to you in September/October. Plant them in a pot or in your garden and they will flower April 2008. Let's all have Andre's in our gardens!!
Love,
Ineke.
I already have mine ordered. I like the idea of "Andre's" in my pot and garden! And as tulips generally multiply over time, we should soon have many Andre's. They are such a beautiful color.
I see that Andre is #4 on Billboard's top classical albums of the week. Joshua Bell's "Voice of The Violin" is #1.
JEANINE ANN! I just read your concert report. BRAVO! The pictures are fabulous!And YOU are absolutely GLOWING!!Didn't I tell? Your "first" will always be special, even though you may go to many, the first is branded into your brain forever. Now you know for yourself what a live concert is like. Jelly knees and rapid heartbeat are to be expected. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I hope you & your husband have many more.
(means hugs back)
Thank you Shirley! I am sitting here with a BIG smile on my face as I go over the photos once again. I hope the next photos will be a little more sharp. I didn't give my camera time to focus as though Andre would be gone in five minutes or something. I just kept clicking. That first concert will be with me forever! Thanks for your nice comments. You are one of those friends who have been cheering me on for the past 7 months. Love and hugs to you and all.
Sally did a BEAUTIFUL job!
It's all your work. I just put up the page. I had fun reading the story and seeing the photos as I did it.
dear friends. I enjoyed bill's comments
on growing up in the 30ties to 50ties.
Times have really changed some better & some worse. My kids are now in their
40ties, before the necessity of car seats etc, but they did have organized sports which was non-existant when I was in my teens, although we did have some school sports eg. basketball but
not much else. In the small town where I grew up, there was a cafe owner who had an ice-cream parlor in the summer,
& he installed a juke-box so we had music so we could dance from 7P.M. to mid-nite on week-ends & we never had a problem with drink or drugs & it was great fun for kids from 13 to 18 years
I see that Elvis is now leading the voting on persoon vanhet jaar.nl tho
Andre is still in lst place overall, so
folks remember to vote everyday. Jeanine ann's pics of her lst cconcert were great as was the commentary good show!! We'll miss Andre in Calgary this year but hopefully a new venue will be built soon. Love to all Marianne
Haaaaaaaa, did you see the hats in the audience of the concerts from André???? They better leave them at home tonight, or they will be in trouble, what person would sit in an concert with a monster like this and take the view from the people behind? I made a comment in the GB, but they might not let it pass. Tonight we shall see the JSO and it is cooler today, I am glad for that, so I do not have to suffer too much under those lamps.
Inge, i saw your comment in Andre's guestbook. I had to laugh! Those hats are something I've not seen at a concert myself, but I would feel the same as you.
Inge you are so right. No one would want huge hats in front of them at a concert. No Kentucky Derby stuff at Andre's concerts.
HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME INGE! It is cooler here today too. Went from 80's yesterday to low 70's today. Of course I love the hot weather. Hope everyone has a beautiful weekend. Hugs
Hi,
I'm seeing that the Andre's 5/13 concert will be available online.
Go to www.andrerieulive.com to sign up.
However, when I go to this website, I get a message that the Security Clearance Certificate has a problem and they advise not to enter personal information. There is a "poster" about this online concert on Andre's homepage, but they don't give any details. Does anyone have any information?
Thanks, Marilyn
I checked it out Myself, it does let You order the concert, just like any shopping! If You do not have an account with them, You have to set it up, and the order is 4.99 You can print it out! If You have questions, offers the Help site, tells You what Media Player You will need, if You do not have it, how to Download it! It is very clear! Kati
Hi Marilyn,
I just ordered a ticket for this online concert through that website and had no problem. I did it about 45 minutes ago. They didn't mention any security problem and I hope there is no since I used my credit card. I am going to go there again and see if I get any message. Hugs
Marilyn try it again. I get through to the payment area but then I stopped. I did get a receipt from them and the browser showed it was a secure site. Hope this helps. Hugs
Marilyn I went back to the site and got through to the payment section and then I stopped. My browser showed that it was a secure connection so maybe you want to try again. Hugs
Sorry about the confusing double post. I thought sure I lost it and so I retyped it. Hugs
Thanks, Jeanine Ann
I was able to buy my ticket. I figured out was I was using the wrong internet connection. Instead of using my regular internet provider, I have to use Firefox when I want to look at certain online things.
I have to use Firefox when I want to watch the Andre Rieu Soaps - Going to
New York. So I will have to use it to watch the May 13 concert. I hope and
imagine it will be easy to go online and watch it tomorrow.
Thanks again. Hugs, Marilyn
Instructions say, have to use Windows Media Player 9. If You do not have it Have to Downloaded from www.microsoft.com Kati
Ok Marilyn, even though you use your Firefox browser you will need Media Player 9.0 as Kati said. If you should miss it I have a program which captures streaming video and I can put it on a VCD and send it to you. Hugs
Go to Andre's Web Site, and see the advertised Toronto Concert!! The World can attend!! This is great! Kati
Marilyn, I tried the web, too and it drove me nuts first, with the password then with some other punctuation and every time I thought I have it, it came back again with a fault, but I could not find anything wrong anymore, so I kept on clicking and then I read that you might be billed double, haaaaaa, I wonder how many they charge me???? But when I gave up and looked in my incoming mail, it was accepted. I am a computer GENIUS! I hope I can see it!!! Thanks for the information!
Thanks everyone for your help. I now know to call Firefox a browser. I wasn't exactly sure what to call things. When I was first trying to figure out how to play the soaps, I couldn't do it at first. I finally click on help in frustration and it listed Firefox (which I knew I had, but thought it was some exotic internet connection), but I clicked on it and lo and behold it started playing
the first episode of the soaps. so, as you can see, I am still working on my computer expertise. But I really appreciate all the help and suggestions from you all. It's good to know that you want to help others.
Big Hugs to everyone.
Marilyn
I bought my ticket, but maybe I will need your help in playing the thing. When I got the soaps, I could see 3 of them, but not the rest. Now I bought them in the boutique and it is nice to keep as a souvenir, especially Carla. I am happy to read that tonight we shall see Carmen, even with an old song from 2OO3, but I loved the two Brazilians , too bad they are gone.
Hi Inge, if you cannot get the concert I will copy it to a VCD and send it to you. (hopefully I can get it) My streaming video program does pretty well in picking up internet video. That is how I got the soaps from Ruud and Ineke's site. Of course I didn't know at the time that Andre would be offering the soaps which will be nice to have as a spare. Just let me know if you have any problems and cannot get the concert. It will be really great to see that live!! How nice of Andre to think of us on Mother's Day.
Hugs
J'ai assisté au concert d'Ottawa hier, le 11 mai. Vous et vos musiciens êtes magnifiques. J'ai bien aimé les pièces dont vous avez jouez. J'aimerais vous dire qu'il y a beaucoup de gens d'Ottawa qui parlent le français. Aussi, il y a beaucoup de gens de Gatineau (Québec) qui assistent au concert d'Ottawa. Pour cette raison, vous devriez dire quelques mots en français. Il n'y a pas juste des anglais dans la capitale du Canada. Merci de votre attention et j'espère vous revoir l'an prochain.
Ok, here's probably a really dumb question, but beings I'm not that great on computers, here goes the question.
If I have Media Player 10...and we need Media Player 9 to hear and see the concert, will I be able to see it, or do I really need to have Player #9?
Hi Marlene. If you have Media Player 10 you are ok. They mean 9 or newer. Anthing under 9 will probably not work. The newer the better. It is not a dumb question. Hugs
Thanks Jeanine Ann! I appreciate the answer, hugs to you too!
Hi guys, I am back from the concert. I am still on a high, but I must say, he should get some writers to write new jokes, haaaaaaaaaa, but even with all the old stuff, it was still a super evening. He brought Carmen. Marusja has a super voice, but that angel stuff is too much for my German nature, haaaaaaaa, I found that very kitschy. André was nervous, he did not study his French speech very much, but the venue was full until under the roof. We had lousy seats in the first row, but total to the right, boy my neck is still hurting. We were so close and saw everything very much from the profile, haaaaaaaaa! I still had a good time, took 2 balloons home and tried my new camera, even a short video. I dream tonight of angels and Johann Strauss and André!
I too would like to see some new jokes. lol Gosh I think I can say the ones he has verbatim. Ah well, I love the happiness to the concerts. And the fans make it even better.
I thought Andre was fluent in French. Is he not? My French is horrible. I remember so little of it, (and some people say I only speak English so I've been told) I am NOT tres bon. I do wish I recalled more of it as it is such a beautiful language. I might take a German class this summer. They are waiting to see if enough people enroll. I have my fingers crossed.
Have Sweet Dream and do share with us when you awake!
I hope when I (aussie) get to go to a concert I am in the first few rows. How do people feel if they are right up the back of a big arena. Would you see much? I dont know that I would purchase a ticket if I could not see,or a close up view. I can watch the show on a big screen at home. What are peoples opinions on this? Afterall you are paying to go SEE the show. Yes I know the atmosphere is there, but I need to see HIM! lol
I want to wish all you wonderful mothers a Very Happy Mother's Day!!!! I hope it all you ever dreamed it could be. You deserve the very best, you are all so special. Love to all.
Good morning everyone and for all the mothers a happy day, here it is sunny, cool and my garden is just exploding in colors.
The reason, Kate, why I pledge to PBS, because they have the monopole over the Bell center. If I buy it on the ticket outlet, I will get only tickets in the rafters. We had that once, the first time and I swore myself, I rather watch him at home on my screen and with a good glass of wine . You could see him as big as my miniature dolls (6 inches) or on the monitor, so we looked on the monitor and even last night, I pledged as first one August 8th last year and got the first seats they dished out, right side first row. If I had pledged a little later in the evening, I would have been lucky with the middle, I rather sit in row l5 on the side than the first one. The dancers stepped also on my feet.
Sally, André is good in French, he also has a good pronunciation, but he was nervous and he fell back into English. The first time I saw him here, he spoke half and half, then someone must have complained , he spoke only French, but this time it was almost half and half again, his German is better.
I woke from a total dreamless sleep and I wrote in the GB that I missed Carla and they did not enter it, they most likely miss her, too, haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Inge I am delighted that you had such a wonderful time!! I can feel your happiness. I guess French is very hard to learn. It is the one language that I would not attempt to try but it is my favorite because it is so beautiful and I think Andre speaks it well but he must go from German to English to French and I would imagine it gets confusing. But no matter what language he speaks, the music says it all. Can hardly wait until Wednesday! I hope you got good photos. I too was way over on the left side of Andre on the plaza level but they were too bad and I have a 12x optical lens on my camera.
I wish everyone a very HAPPY MOTHER's DAY and it will be happy with Andre on the internet tonight!! Off to church now. Hugs
Jeanine Anne, I heard André in Cortona speak Italian, there he twisted his tongue around the words and called himself a stupido Hollandaise, but most of the Italian was cut out on the Cortona DVD, as the shows on both days were each 4 hours long and on TV only 2 hours. It was also made for the German audience of the ZDF, but the Germans are used to Italians in their country and the language is not unfamiliar. Marjorie must have studied with André, she was a German-Italian language teacher.
If someone grows up with two languages, he will always pick up an other one real fast, I could see that on my kids. I spoke French before I spoke English, but English is easier in grammar. I have less of an accent in French than in English. I find André has almost no accent in German, some in English and here and there in French. His son Pierre speaks German like a German , his mother must have spoken German with them growing up, like I did with my kids, only a child learns a language without an accent.
Well, I sent to Sally some pictures, but they just came back, what did I do now wrong again???? Help!
My greatest, lovely surprise was, seeing and hearing Carmen! It was beautiful again! Kati
Yes Kati, that sure made Dan happy too!Doesn't she have the most amazing voice? not to mention that beautiful face and those lovely brown eyes!She and Carla will always be two of our favorites!
I cannot get that Albany concert, can somebody help me??????????????????? How do I get pictures to Sally, they keep coming back?
Hi Inge, can you get to the website? When you get there, it should say "watch concert" and then you must put your email and password in that you used when you bought the ticket. Let me know. What email address do you have for Sally? They should not come back to you. I will wait to hear from you. Hugs
I just finished watching, again, the Albany concert, only this time to watch in full screen. Wow! Excellent! When they played the Blue Danube, with the water background,the closeups were spectacular.I liked the full screen view much better and my picture quality was great and I only have a 19" monitor.It was better the second time, but I felt a closeness to all the other fans yesterday because we were all together at the same time. wasn't that great?
You know Shirley, I felt that closeness also. I really do appreciate Andre doing this for us...it was very special...as he is!
It was as though I HAD to be here watching this live concert.
dear friends Just finished watching the Albany concert & it was just like being there. Next best thing!! Couldn't
get it yesterday as I had to make arrangements to use a friends' credit card as mine are presently tied up with a bankruptcy that was a necessary step for me that has happened because of forced retirement. Just am not able to stand more than 15 minutes at a time
due to the after effects of the E-coli
suffered over a year ago. One nasty bug but I am better, but not 100percent
as yet. Otherwise I'm okay. Had a lovely Mother's day dinner at my daughters with the whole family & that was so special!! Love to all Marianne
Marianne, glad you got to watch the concert at least.You may not be 100% healthwise, but you are 100% in our eyes. You are an amazing woman, you're like a Timex watch,"you take a licking, but keep on ticking". Happy you had a lovely Mother's day.Did you enjoy the concert? There is one song I just can't seem to get out of my mind yet and that is the beautiful Song of Vilga.Marlene, did you see the expression on Andre's face? My goodness, I just felt like crying, it's such a moving piece anyway and to see the emotion on Andre's face as he plays, well....indescribable! Jeanina Ann, still got "string fever"? Don't "string" us along after your concert, hope you will send more great pictures and give us your 'take" on that concert as well. Stay healthy this time, ok?
YES, I did see Andre's expressions when he was playing Song of Vilja, it certainly does something to me..."indescribable" is a good word. What is it about his expressions...they go right to you! This is an incredible song, it does make you want to cry, it's sooooo beautiful, I've always loved it and I was so very happy that he played it. I do love watching him play this song, m-m-m!
There are a few songs that really get to me, and this is one of them.
Yes, Marlene. I sure agree. Andre's solos are best part of his concerts for me, although I love everything else too.
Ok Shirley I will send the photos as soon as I get them from the camera. This time I only have about a 1 hour trip from Reading. That emotion you saw on Andre's face is the same I saw through my opera glasses. I was wiping my eyes afterward. I love that song too. I surely do still have "string fever" and will for my lifetime.
Marianne - I echo Shirley's comments about you being 100% in our eyes. So glad you got to watch the concert. It was like being there. Hopefully one of these beautiful days you will be there. Take care of yourself. LUV U all. Hugs
dear sally & friends I really enjoyed the webcast of the concert, but there is one thing that is really bothering me. I noticed that our Maestro has a mark just ahead of his right ear which I had not noticed before, so I am wondering if it was a trick of the lighting, a birthmark or something nastier. Since I've had thre or more bouts with skin cancer I am likely more observant than most people. At first I thought I was seeing things but no there is definitely something so will check the most recent dvd of
N.Y memories & see if that mark is there , if not I will write to Marjorie
& tell her of my observations. In any
case it should be checked just in case.
I hope I am wrong but it's nagging at me so I will have to do something positive about it See if you see the same thing I do & let me know love to all Marianne
Marianne, I think what you see is just gray sideburns. I've looked at several pictures and that's the conclusion I came to.
Marianne, you just can't help yourself. You are taking care of someone from 40 thousand miles away. (ok, so I made that number up).
I've often wondered if the necks and chins of the JSO get tired or sore. Perhaps they have special chin rests they use in practice? Perhaps theirs are custom made and fitted for optimum comfort?
The thing to really wonder about is how in the world ton can blow on his tuba as much as he does. that instrument takes a great set of lungs. Also Arthur's lips must get tired playing the oboe, an instrument that takes great lip strength to play just 1 note. Or how about Mirielle's arms, from raising & lower her arms during each concert hundreds of times in just 1 musical selection. Necks & chins, not to worry. And then there is little miss nuisance, blowing her clarinet in the ear of whoever is sitting next to her.
Shirley, that far I got myself, when I click on the "watch concert! a screen comes on and the announcement of the concert, but no place for writing my e-mail or password????????????
Inge,I just went to Andre's website,once you hit enter to get inside, there is a blue banner,click on that, then where it says watch concert, when you click on that there should next come up a place for your e-mail address and your password, once you fill that in, you should get right to the concert.Im can't understand why nothing shows up after watch concert.
Thanks Shirley, but only the picture comes on with a screen,no place to write. I tried it a few times. Does not matter, I saw the concert the day before in Montréal, I am sure it is the same, only he plays in Canada the Canadian national anthem and in the US the American. Perhaps my daughter in Germany can get it out for me????
I will fly tomorrow to Europe for 4 weeks and so I shall say good buy, but perhaps I will find some time to write to you from München. All who go to a concert, have a good time, I can hardly wait to go to my miniature show, June 2nd. Good night, Inge
Hi Inge: I hope your trip is GREAT! I would love say I'm flying to Europe. To see all the history there. I would be walking around all the time looking at everything. And I'd trace the steps of some of our great forefathers. (and mothers)
Enjoy your Miniature Show!
*http://andrerieulive.com/
That is the link to watch Andre's Webcast of his NJ concert.
I hope that everyone who gets to go to a concert over the next few days has a wonderful time...how can you help but have a great time?
Jeanine Ann, enjoy your concert, I know you will, write us all about it and stay up on cloud nine as long as you wish. If you are close enough, get some nice pictures of Andre's expressions!!!!
Thanks Sally for the good wishes, I will think about you all when I stroll down the avenues of Maastricht with my son and daughter, haaaaaaaa, study the history of André and his town.
I can get in the web and to the picture, I have no idea why it does not show where I have to put my password and e-mail? Will get that out in Germany with my daughter who is better in computers than I.
I have to go to town now to exchange money, the Euro is much lower now and the Can.$ went up, good for me! See you all in 4 weeks on line and I might send a note from home. Inge
Enjoy your "show" Inge. we know you will come back with a lot of great ideas also. How exciting for you. take lots of pictures too!
Have a wonderful time INGE! Wish I could be with you in Maastricht too. Have fun and a very safe trip. Hugs
Hi everyone, Tonight's the night!!! I am beyond excited and my stomach is doing flip flops. It will only get worse as the day goes on (my stomach that is). Don't know what time the buses will get to Reading since they are coming from Hartford. That is a long trip but I will be there watching. I will get as many pictures as my little fingers can snap. I will get them to Sally in the next day or two. I will see if I can capture some of those beautiful expressions when Andre plays "Song Of The Volga". Oh gee I must settle down, I can hardly type. We will be meeting 4 fans from Wash. D.C. Martha and Ken will be bringing two teens who are anxious to see some classical music and Andre. Will tell you more about them in my report. I never met them before so our dinner will be exciting. We have storms coming but I am hoping they will come through early but you never know with these cold fronts.
Will talk with you tomorrow!!! OH HAPPY DAY!!!!! Hugs
Check out her printed Article!
Jeanine Ann's Article
One last word: thanks for your good wishes and have a good time Jeanine Ann, I am leaving soon for the airport, it rains , I hope the weather is better on the other side of the Atlantic!
Sally did you get my pictures??????
Bill - thanks for the tip about getting Google alerts. I was happy to receive two notices this morning and especially enjoyed the two letters to Mr. Robotham from our fabulous fans.
Jeanine Ann and Sally - what outstanding letters you wrote to Mr. R. I printed them out and they will be in my scrapbook. Just need to think of a new heading for gems like these. Isn't it too bad that for Mr. R. one Andre concert was one too many.
Interestingly enough, his sentiments are exactly the same as those of my cousin in Germany, so you can imagine the email exchanges we have! My cousin has even criticized the music stands Andre created, which I happen to think are gorgous. Oh well, different strokes for different folks.
dear friends I took a second look & it may be that it is sideburns which are a bit longer than usual. Quite right Sally, I care about people especially thos I love & who are most important in
my life!! A world without all of Andre's music & the shenanigans of his
tenors the world would be a sadder place. I find that I listen to music much more than I used to & have this M-trax memory channel which plays a lot of Andre rieu plus many other instrumentalists, Manovani, billy vaughn, Andrusko and so on Leave it on when I go to bed so I go to sleep with music & wake up with the same. One thing it does mask the very noisy heating system here which gurgles thumps & whistles. Enough to disturb my rest. Love to all Marianne
Marianne, re the music being on at night...That is exactly what I do. Whenever I cannot sleep, I turn on the MP3 Player, which is loaded with all my Andre Rieu, Helmut Lotti, Platinum Tenors and a few others. I turn the sound on low and let it soothe me to sleep. Works like a Charm.
Thank you so much Julie. I sure hope you can persuade your cousin in Germany to become a fan. Has she been to a live concert? Keep talking to her, things happen sometimes.
You are right Marianne, a world without Andre and his JSO would be sad indeed.
KUDOS to Sally for her wonderful letter to Mr. R also. Just saw it and I love it. Too bad is mind is closed but it is his loss.
Storm coming through now so I must go. Getting ready for tonight. Will blow a kiss to Andre from all of you.
Hugs
WQe had such a storm in Colo, cooled down to 59, BRRR! I could not ride my Bike! Sorry, so I was trimming some bushes, instead, lots of work, if You want a beautiful landscape! I am sure, the Orchestra got used to all the chin ups and downs by now.
I just read Sally and Jeanine Ann's letters to Mr. R. They were great; you two wrote very good letters! I'm so happy that once in a while, we get to hear, or read, about these "fan" letters which have been read by a critic.
It's so sad that critic's such as Mr. R cannot stick to the music they love, which is what??? I'm not really that curious what he likes, but I do wonder why people who say such things about a man who is obviously loved all over the world, why they must criticize? If he cannot say anything good, then why say it at all? I know there must be something in his personality, and others with this same desire to find fault with someone, but for the life of me I cannot understand what it is.
Now, I've been critical of various types of music, music that does not suit my tastes, but I don't get on a soapbox and announce it to the world. Take away personal feelings, and look at the work, effort and dedication each and every musician puts into his or her music, no matter what kind of music they play; whether it be classical or heavy metal, the effort needs to be rewarded.
Personally I love classical and waltz music, especially Andre style (as you know)...he just has a way with music that can NEVER be equaled. If only these guys who criticize Andre, would open their hearts and let in the happiness that Andre shares with world through his music, then maybe they would not be so critical.
I only wish that everyone would feel the joy of Andre's music as we do.
Usually people like Mr. R, have such closed minds, whether it be on purpose or they just have no capacity for an open mind, that there is no way to change it. Too bad, because they just don't know what they are missing.
Thanks for listening. Take care everyone.
Maybe it has something to do with something like jealousy and/or envy. If he is a paid critic, maybe he is trying to take a controversial stand on purpose to gain stature or whatever.
I doubt if we will ever convert him.
The only critics that matter are those of people that buy or don't buy Andre's CD & DVD. Judging from the fact he has sold 22 million...I'd say the vast majority of critics is voting with their pocketbook & sending money to Andre...
the ultimate critic, in the millions is speaking loud & clear
I read Mr R's comments, I've seen comments like that before. I applaud Jeanine Ann and Sally for their comments too. What I don't understand about the so called critics, is why do they think that we, who do like Andre,seem to have no musical knowledge at all.I think as Mr R put it,"people unacustomed to particular styles", meaning we couldn't possibly like or understand or have the patience to sit through a "real" classical music concert.He mentions L. Bernstein as an example, well that's fine, but many of us knew Bernstein and Mozart and Beethoven,and Chopin, to name a few,probably long before he did.We knew the music, that's why we like Andre. He gives us variety,not just one style. Didn't Bernstein write West Side Story? I think he thought much like Andre about music. But I guess my pet peeve are those who think because we like Andre we have no appreciation for the "real thing".How boring a concept that is and it borders on snobbish. I did note that Mr R did say "I might be willing to admit I might be wrong about the waltz King". so, when would that be ,if ever? I wouldn't hold my breath.
Thankfully, Sally got the new server up n running just in time for Andre's online webcast concert. Can you imagine the thought everyone would have had if the server had been down or still in its state of transition?
Way to go Sally, you picked a relatively quiet time to make the transition.
Bill in Arizona
southpawbc-phxazandreconcert@yahoo.com
Dear Sally-Having not had the "pleasure" of reading any comments made by the critic you mentioned I can only say that I, personally, was introduced to the "classics" as a very young child and studied violin at the Eastman School in Rochester, N.Y. for many years...but didn't become a musical snob, quite the reverse in fact. I came to love Andre's style after having spent too many years having "long hair" shoved down my throat by some pretty tough masters at Eastman! Music should be loved and enjoyed (in the way that Andre and JSO so obviously do) not feared as too many of the old guard would have it. I want to have fun with music and Andre gives me that - and much more - with his joyous style. But, as well, he shows a respect and understanding for the "classics" and those who composed them. His arrangements are often almost reverential in nature! Poor Mr. R. that he can't see this for himself. And how wonderful for you that you can. Crippling arthritis has cost me the use of my hands for playing the violin a number of years ago but I did find that I can play one intrument amazingly well - my stereo, enhanced by my CD player and that's how I get my daily Andre fix. Just think, Sally, how deprived Mr. R. and his ilk are that they can't have fun, too.
Katie McCourt
Hi everybody, I am in Munich and I just saw the Albany concert, my daughter got it for me, it was the same as in Montréal, but my kids went to bed and I watched it with the cats. I am tired now, it is here lO.OO but for me it is 4.OO, good night! Inge
Hi Inge, what did the cats think of Andre? Did they think he is the "cat's meow"?
OMG, OMG! What a night in Reading. I hardly know what to say. I am still reeling from the afterglow. I finally got up at 10:00a.m. Had to take two pills to sleep. WOW there is nothing like front row center. When Andre came down the aisle he was only inches from us and he walked up the stage right in front of my chair!! I was too close to take a clear photo but I snapped one just to show you how close he was. I was just beside myself with joy and happiness! Most of the photos are great despite the fact that I had a malfunction in my camera and it kept draining the battery. Luckily I had another set and it got through the concert. Will tell you more in my report. Our friends from Wash. D.C. were just delightful. Martha and Ken and two teenage friends were just lovely. You will hear more in the reports and Martha will write something too.
Hey Shirley - ANDRE IS THE CAT'S MEOW AND THE DOG's BOW WOW!! Oh I cannot tell you how happy I was last night. It was a night to remember. Hugs to all
Well Jeanine Ann, you certainly put a big ole' smile on my face! now i'm set for the day...
I was there in Reading last night too!! (center floor seats in section 2) I had never even heard of him (I am ashamed to say) until my mom bought the tickets a few weeks ago and told me she was taking me out for a girls night!! What FUN!! I will definitely be watching for the next time he comes close to Reading ~ I am waiting with baited breathe!! AMAZING!!!
~Julia
Hi Julia! You sound like the rest of us when we saw them for the first time.Well my girl, you are now addicted! Welcome to the club.
We are working on Our concerts, for this year! I hope We will have the same, wonderful experience also. I am sure of that. We are anxiously waiting on Your pictures! Kati
Does anyone know the name of the VERY handsome bass player with the curly black hair? I just went to my very first Andre Rieu concert last night ~ all I can say is WOW WOW WOW!!! Andre and the whole orchestra just blew my mind!!!
Marco, I think, He is taken!!?? He is Italian also, so much more, to like Him for? All of Us enjoy, their music so much, We cannot wait, for the next time to see and hear them, and most of all, see tyhem in person. Kati
I believe you are referring to Franco Vulcano
OH YES ~~~ that is him!!! Is he taken??? He is SOOOOO handsome!!
Hi Julia, that would be Marco. So glad you loved the concert. You must have been right in back of us. We were the two (the only two for a while) who danced the Blue Danube. It was so exciting wasn't it!! Hugs
Jeanine Ann, I know you are excited, but didn't you mean to say Franco?
Forgot to tell you (so much to tell) that we met Bela and Gary. Will tell you the circumstances in the report. Poor Andre had a cold. It was evident in Albany but you could really tell last night but he was FANTASTIC. Will tell you all the cute things about the handkerchiefs too. Hugs
Ah, that explains it. I thought perhaps it was stress/nerves of the Internet Broadcast.
He was so calm, about the Internet, or any camera, just it was always on Him! Just another day in business. Sure was a lovely one!! Kati
I knew He had a cold, in Albany, I have seen Him to reach for a handkerchief, the very change in climate. so fast would affect anyone, with a cold.As much as They travel, so many miles all over the World, I am surprised, They do not get sick more often? I hope, They do enjoy Their work as much as We do. Kati
Everyone will be eagerly anticipating all the details, Jeanine.
Is anyone interested in the technicals of Andre sound system? Thanks to Sherrie for the link.
That is very interesting. Thanx Bill and Sherrie. Andre is a stickler for perfection.
Yes, I did Shirley. Thanks for correcting me. I should not be answering questions after a concert!
Hugs
I think, Shirley is right again, darn! He is Franco!! Kati
Hi Sally, told you I thought he didnt look well in the live concert, he needs to come to Australia for a rest on our lovely beaches!!!!
Kate, did you see the kangeroo tail and the sign in the Albany concert? think it was a good omen?
What a great idea. I can see the JSO & Andre now, getting some fun in the sun.
Jeanine Ann and Julie, sounds like you had a great time at the concert!!
Tanjungkarang 16 Mei 2007
Geachte Meneer Andre Rieu,
Ik ben Willy uit Indonesie.
Geniet elk moment als ik Uw film ziet en de Strauss Orkest hoort spelen.
In een word “Geweldig ” Dank U, dat U zoveel mensen blij maakt.
Verbaasd mij dat de United Nations, U, niet als vrede afgezant hebben gekozen.
De wereld afreizen en muziek maken, maakt de mensn blij, tegengestelde van al de griezel burgeroorlogen en terroristen.
Reden waarom ik U deze brief stuur is. Ik heb een fluit, beter gezegd neus fluit.
Een heel eenvoudig instrument, in Jakarta gekocht van een straatventer.
Jammer dat ik hem niet meer terug kan vinden..
Gemaakt van blik afval, met gevolg van een blik geur, en later het blik kan roesten.
Nu heb ik bij een vriend de fluit laten namaken, van alluminium. Lukt niet erg, maar geef wel geluid. Ik bestelde 20, hij wou maar 5 stuks maken.
Ik zei tegen mijn collegas op kantoor, als wij iemand kunnen vinden, die dit op grote schaal kan maken, kunnen wij alle kinderen in een dorp, elk een fluitje geven. Dan kunnen de kinderen ook eek fluitkoor maken. Worden de kinderen blij en vrolijk .
“want zolang je maar vrolijk bent, ben je rijk ook al heb je geen cent - faria, faria “
Jammer dat de collegas op kantoor, er niet op kunnen spelen. Er komt geen geluid uit. Wat eigenlijk erg eenvoudig is. Men blaast met de neus in de fluit, vangt de lucht op met de mond, en naar gelang de beweging van de mond, komen er allerlei tonen uit.
Het geluid klinkt bijna hetzelfde als men met de mond fluit, maar hierop klinkt het geluid het veel harder.
U hebt met sukses duizenden mensen mee laten gorgelen in het Roda Stadion. Fantastis.
Ben er zeker van dat zij in China deze fluit van plastic kunnen produceren, en goedkoop. Misschien wel 10 euro cent per stuk of minder. Ik kan me niet indenken als er 1000 mensen, iedereen erop probreren te fluiten en grimnassen.
Ik probeer een foto te sturen van de fluit. Links en rechts is de voor en achterkant (alluminium), midden is de zijkant (uit blik gemaakt en al roestig),
Mocht U er in geintereseerrt zijn, wil U wel een fluit als cadeau opsturen.
Op 19 Juni ben ik en mijn vrouw en nog twee Indonesise zusters, in Nederland voor een paar weken als gasten van de zusters van Het Heilig Hart in Rosmalen. Dankzij de hulp van de zusters, hebben zij iemand gevonden die voor mij de woorden kan opschrijven van de Limburg anthem. Leuk. Nu kan ik meezinger als ik De Flying Dutchman afspeelt..
Met vriendelike groeten.
Willy Darma
I am a moderator, & have taken the liberty of translating your reply into english. I don't speak or read Dutch, but I do use a good online language translator.
Tanjungkarang 16 May 2007 Respected Gentleman Andre Rieu
I am Willy from Indonesie. Each moment enjoys sees as I Your film and hears the Strauss Orchestra games. In a YOU "Tremendously" Thank become, that YOU make so much men cheerfully. Amazed me that the United Nations, YOU, not as peace envoy chose. The worlds travel and make music, makes the mensn cheerfully, opposite of all the horror civil wars and terrorists. Reason about which I am YOU this letter steering wheel. I have whistle a flute, better said nose. A quite simple instrument, in Jakarta bought of a straatventer. Misery that I him no longer back can find.. Made of look waste, with consequence of a look smell, and later on the look can rust. Now I have let imitate at a friend the flute, of alluminium. Do not succeeds awful, but give well sound. I ordered 20, he wanted but make 5 to pieces. I said against my colleagues on office, if we find can someone, that this make can on large scale, can we all children in a town, each a flute give. Then the children can wanted to make also flute chorus. The children become glad and cheerfully. "For meanwhile you only cheerful are, am you realm in such a way have your no penny - faria, faria "a pity that the colleagues on office, it not on can play. There no sound comes out. What actual very simple is. One blows with the nose in the flute, catches the airy on with the mouth, and to gelang the movement of the mouth, from it come all sorts of tones. The sound sounds whistle almost the same as one with the mouth, but then the sound sounds the much more hard.
You have let gargle with sukses thousand men with in the Roda Stadium. Fantastis. Am it certainly of that they in China these whistle of plastic can produce, and cheap. Perhaps at least 10 Euro penny per to pieces or less. I cannot imagine to whistle me as there 1000 men, everybody on it probreren and grimnassen. I try to steer a photograph of the flute. Left and right is the furrow and is the side might be back (alluminium), in the middle of (from look made and all rusty), YOU there in geintereseerrt, want to send YOU well a flute as a present.
On 19 June, I am and my woman and yet two Indonesise sisters, in the Netherlands for a few weeks as guests of the sisters of It Hallow Heart in Rosmalen. Thanks to the help of the sisters, have they someone found that for me the words can write down of the Limburg anthem. Amusing. Now I can plays meezinger as I De Flying Dutchman..
Too bad I do not speak or read Dutch. Thanks anyway! Kati
Hi Kati,
go back to his reply, I've added a translation of his Dutch reply
Thanks Bill, I got it. It does help to understand better. Kati
Verwelkoom naar deze blog Wens. Dank u voor het nemen van het tijd & moeilijkheid zal iets naar ons zeggen. Andre waaiert, zijn alle werelden alle mooie mensen. U bent onder vrienden. Verderga met zeg alstublieft iets naar wanneer u van houdt.
Bill in Arizona
southpawbc-phxazandreconcert@yahoo.com
Hi everyone. The article on Andre's sound system was great. Thank you Sherrie for the link. Hugs
Yes I saw the Kangaroo tail. I dont know why people associate us with kangaroos. I havent seen one in twenty years. Can somebody tell me why I cant view the concert. I log in etc and get the screen and now it just doesnt play. Thanks
Hello Kate: You might want to check with:
http://venue365.com/help/
Also, click the top line on your browser window (if you have a line). It could be your security settings. You should see a drop down menu ask if you want to "allow content".
I've just returned from a visit to Australia, and I saw lots of kangaroos.
Kangaroos
Which one is CAPTAIN?
Captain! My favorite...ah memories!
Beautiful Picture! Kati
We finally got the New York DVD. It's a great production. If you don't have this DVD, be sure and get it and you won't be sorry. (however, several times we were very thankful for the Chapter Advance and 32X FF controls on the DVD player) The bonus feature, the Making Of the Schonnbrunn production, was worth the price of the DVD itself.
Has anyone viewed the "André on his way to New York" DVD yet?
Hi Terry,
I do have the New York Memories DVD and like it tremendously. There are some great songs on there and they are done so well. The bonus feature, the Making of the Schonnbrunn production is
very fun to watch also. Tonight I was playing all three of the bonus feature songs which I really like; Piu Jesu, Take the A Train, and A Whiter Shade of Pale. Carla is wonderful (as usual)
with Piu Jesu. Ward Vlasveld is absolutely terrific playing the other 2
songs: Take the A Train and A Whiter Shade of Pale. He is really excellent playing that organ. I am thinking it is an organ, and not a synthesizer. It looks like an organ. I would love to see him featured more.
What's the latest on Pierre and Susan or is that all over?
I have seen the engagement ring still!I hope, it means everything!?
Hi all, I was also watching the NY DVD today and thought the same thing. Ward is awesome on that organ and I too wish he would be featured more. I invited a new neighbor over this evening and played the DVD from Royal Albert Hall and she is hooked. She wants to see him in person. Said he and the JSO are "fantastic", hmm I am not surprised.
I am getting anxious for October.
Marilyn Bas
Hi everyone. I just want to mention again to any interested fans, that the tickets to the concert in Portland Oct. 9 at the Rose Garden Arena Oct. 9 ARE on sale now through the Rose Garden ticket office 1-877-789-7673. There was a little confusion initially over the date tickets were going on sale, but they are definitely on sale now. I called the last Friday to double check.
I too am really looking forward Oct. 9
There are many excellent concert photos posted on this site. How about some of you shutter bugs posting some tips on how to get good results in a concert environment.
Terry: What an Excellent idea. Great thinking!
If you have a digital camera, do some test photos before you go to the concert so that you can be more familiar with your camera and it's capabilities. You can always discard the images if they don't turn out, but you'll be a better photographer for testing.
Remember to compose your photo. What you see in the viewfinder is what you'll get.
It would probably be a good idea to set exposure to automatic, as setting it to manual requires manipulation of shutter speed/aperture and that can be tricky for neophytes.
DON'T USE A FLASH. A flash overpowers the stage lighting effects that the technicians have worked so hard to create, and a flash also disturbs the ambiance of a performance.
In low-lighting, remember to hold your camera steady, as any shaking of the camera will result in a blurry image.
When you use a digital camera, shoot at the highest-quality the camera is capable of. In other words, if you have a 5 megapixel camera and shoot at that setting, you can always reduce the images on your computer, but if you shoot at a low resolution, you cannot increase the resolution later.
And my number one rule:
Always take a picture rather than wish that you had.
Thanks for all the great advise! I think, m ost of us, needed it! Kati
Excellent advice Al.I do have the 5 megapixal, but sometimes like to use my 35 mm, it's a simple Fuji DL-400, any advice on type of film? Also my husband has a 35 mm he bought in Germany, years ago, still takes excellent pictures, but any advice on film there? It's an Argus V-100, with many, many settings.Not so simple as mine.
For film, go with 400 ASA or higher.
oooohhhh...I forgot to say that David and Wendy Keighley had some excellent shots of the concert.
Thanks Al for the info. My biggest problem is shooting in a low light atmosphere. I never did use flash for a lot of reasons but I do have a problem with keeping the camera steady especially with lots of people bumping into you. I am usually excited and nervous too! Got better pictures in Reading than Miami. They will go out to Sally tomorrow.
For all of you going to the concerts this week - ENJOY! Hugs
Thanks Al for the nice digital photo taking advice! I do need it as I truly am a novice at taking digital photos. I will have to practice a bit before the concert, I have time.
Just wanted to say that I got my "Romance" dvd yesterday and watched it today. I was VERY pleased with it! It was beautiful, and although we have heard all or most of the songs, they are arranged nicely and the countryside scenes are new and beautiful! Andre talks in this as he did in "Dreaming" and "Romantic Moments", which I dearly love! It's is such a nice, personal touch!! He does that so well, and I know he put a lot into this dvd, I highly recommend it!
Hi Marlene. I was glad to hear how you liked the new Romance DVD. I was hoping it would be like that. I too liked to hear Andre talk like he did on the "Dreaming" and "Romantic Moments" DVDs. I particularly have always liked the "Dreaming" DVD. I am waiting for my Romance DVD to arrive. It was supposed to arrive early last week, so I will check on my order tomorrow. This is the 3rd time that my order has arrived/will arrive? more that 2 or 3 weeks late. Has anyone else had this problem? The help desk is very helpful, but just about the time they send or will send another one by priority mail, I get my original order. The last time time it was over 3 weeks later that it finally came. Maybe the mails just get a little crazy sometimes. I don't know if I am the only one with this problem. I have bought quite a few DVDs and CDs from Andre's website.
I also bought the Romance dvd. I ordered it March 23, got it May8th.I just kept waiting and waiting. seems like it used to just take a couple of weeks, but the last couple I've ordered it has taken at least amonth.
The mail was about 6 weeks for me also. Do not give up hope. Kati
Hi Martha, I bought my "Romance" dvd on March 29, it was shipped on April 24, and I received it on May 18.
When I order these dvd's or cd's from Andre's site, then I figure it's going to take a while to get them.
One time I waited about 3 months, so I wrote to the helpdesk and they sent another one. I never did get the one that I originally ordered.
I generally have to wait 1-2 months to get the items I order. I just try to put it out of my mind until it arrives. It's very hard waiting for something that makes us so happy, like the concerts!
As I checked back on my confirmation of shipment,the dvd was shipped on the 16th of April, so that's not as bad as I thought.I think, in the past, we have discussed the mailings.I think the main problem is ours(US).Just a sign if the times, with security etc,what used to take a shorter time, now takes longer. As for our mails, seems like as the postage rates go up, the service goes down.
Hi All. Yes, my dvd was shipped on April 16 also, and, since Andre's service dept says it should take 3 weeks to get here to the USA, May 8th would be about right. However, I still haven't received it yet. The last dvd I ordered took 3-4 weeks over their 3 wk estimated arrival time. It finally arrived the day before their priority-mailed 2nd one arrived. Naturally I returned that one unopened as they said to do.
I always figure 4 weeks; that's the time it's taken on all my prior orders.
I ordered Waltzertraum (PAL) on 8 May. I'll not be looking for it til after 8 June! I live way out west in Arizona.
Has anyone else noticed the increase in the price of a DVD from Andre? My most recent order for Waltzertraum was $33.91 (U.S.) compared to $30.15 last year in Sep 2006. That represents an increase in excess of 10%
geeezzzzz. who noticed?
I guess with GAS going up, STAMPS going up, LABOR going up...well.....it would happen.
I am womdering if it has something to do with the exchange rate. I have never traveled out of the US, so I'm not sure how it works, but I've heard that the exchange rate is not good for Americans now and is very good for those overseas. Is anyone knowledgeable as to how it works.
Also, I am noticing a small foreign exchange rate fee on my credit card statement now when I buy a DVD, where I don't remember it being there in the past. I could be wrong about remembering, but I remember recently being aware of it.
Bingo! Give Marilyn a gold star. She's is exactly right! I deliberately made my prior comment inflammatory. Cause the rate increase is actually quite modest when the Euro is compared to the U.S. dollars in just the last year.
In December of 2005, $1.00 was worth .84 euros. As of today $1.00 was worth .74 euros; meaning that it takes more US dollars to buy the same amount of goods in euros. In other words, the U.S. dollars is worth less, has less purchasing power than back in Dec 2005.
Inflation isn't rising prices! Inflation is the falling value of the dollar. NO thanks to the U.S. government deficit spending habits -- whether D's or R's are in the white house or in control of congress.....deficit spending is the common denominator between D's & R's' they're both to blame
Thanks for the explanation, Bill. That makes the exchange rate make more sense.
I am glad, You brought this to light. It is harder and harder to make a living, on a fixed income!! Sometimes, You just have to be more creative! We are sliding downward fast!! Kati
It's probably not too smart on my part...but I never look at the price...except to write it in my checkbook. If I want it, I pay it, I've always been that way, providing I have the money, that is. If I don't have the money, then I buy when I do.
I paid more than that for my "Love Around The World" dvd's. And they are certainly worth everything I paid for them!
Hey - Good news. Today I finally received the Romance DVD. So it's 5 weeks after the ship date. However, I plan to make my dinner, feed my dogs, and listen to it right now. I will let
you know how I like it.
Yes, Bill that is the exact time it takes for me to get a DVD from Andre and I live in Anchorage Alaska. One month is the time I wait and I am witing for one now but still have a couple of weeks to go.
Hi everyone! Happy Monday to all. Speaking of the Romance DVD, mine took over a month to get here but after the incident with the body lotion I am not too surprised. BTW is anyone having trouble with the streaming video from Andre's site. I want to watch the video from the Everglades and cannot get it nor can I get the others. I emailed them and informed them that they are not working. Work day today, must do grass and laundry. Have a beautiful day everyone. Hugs
Hi Jeanine. Give it a try now. I just tried it and it worked, where it hadn't before. I think they have got it fixed.
For Andre:
My dream was fulfilled in Reading, Pa. on May 16, 2007. My husband has brain cancer and I prayed that we would be able to attend. It was difficult but we were there. It was such a uplifting and wonderful experience for the both of us. Thank you so much for coming.
Is it possible to acquire a signed photo of Andre. Please let me know. I hope you and your wonderful orchestra are in my future.
Por el rey del vals moderno Andre Rieu
me quiero adherir a este club de fans y ademas que necesito saber quien va a ir al evento de Canada que es en diciembre, yo desde ya quiero ir, pero hago un llamado para ir en grupo. gracias.
santiago chile
Hi Karen, Thanks so much for writing. I too was in Reading and it was a beautiful concert. So sorry to hear about your husband's illness. He will be in my prayers.
Please send your request for a signed photo of Andre to his web site: http://www.andrerieu.com/ Go to the Guestbook and post a message. All messages are read. Best of luck to the both of you and may God Bless you both. Keep posting here, we would love to hear from you. There are many wonderful people on this site. Hugs
Thanks Marilyn, I will go there now. Hugs
Here is an article about Andre in 20 May 2007 Michigan Free press
I am glad, You got iy for Us Bill! Most people like His music, takes Your mind off, of all the problems in Life, enjoy Yourself, for a Night. Lovely. Kati
Good Morning. My Romance DVD arrived yesterday and I watched it last night. I really liked it. The songs were big favorites of mine and I really like the scenes in the different countries. I hadn't seen the scene in the Parisian marketplace before the trip down the Seine, and I really liked that. Of course, my abolute favorites are the stunning sunset scenes during "Concierto de Aranquez". The only song I hadn't heard before was "You Are The Emporer of My Heart". It is fun having "favorites" all on one DVD. Definitely a good DVD to have.
Hi everyone. Glad your "Romance" arrived Marilyn. I love it too. Like you, the only song I never saw Andre play was "Emperor Of My Heart" but I have it on a CD. The "Concerto de Aranquez" is a beautiful song in a beautiful setting. It is one of my favorites too.
Hope everyone has a lovely Tuesday. I am sure the concert tonight will be wonderful. Wish I was there. Hugs
Shirley, We are getting a pretty good size of storm here, heading Your direction? Saving on water, Boy, it is coming down!!?? Kati
Kati, we need to tip the map to the right, towards Florida. They need the water.
Also, the West side of the Country, have the same bad Drought, like Florida! I do blame somebody for this! Just not normal! In Europe, had such Heatwave, in Hungary, so early of May, most time, never happens, next day big storms, very cold temperatures! Who knows!? Kati
Hi everybody! Sitting here on the beautiful Bavarian country side and went also for a bike ride to Benediktbeuren, a convent, bought a tiny icon for my minis and now I check my mail, hot day, 32 C ,
Yes Shirley, the concert of Albany was the cat´s meow! Haaaaaaaaaa.
I bought 2 days ago in Munich a pack of 3 CDs from André, only 8.99 Euro and an other pack of 2 CDs from all the Strauss family, on each CD 3 pieces played by André, only 6.99 Euro, but the 3 from André was a music industry camouflage, I had them already, but those come with a different title and picture, they all do that to trick you, well they were cheap and I can use them as gifts.
I looked for the Romance DVD from André, but could not find it yet in the stores, because they are cheaper in the stores here than in André´s boutique. By the way it takes only 5 days from Holland to Montréal, when I order something, it is your homeland security that screws everything up!!
Sounds like you are having a lovely trip.I would like to be biking there myself. by the way, when you go to Maastricht you may see Andre riding his bike through the streets! have you found many mini's for your collection? As I've looked over your pictures many times, I'm fascinated by, not only the figures & clothing, but the furniture and furnishings as well, and I see that you evn have teenie little cats in some of your displays.You have to have very nimble fingers to work with such tiny things. I used to love to make things for my daughter's doll houses, little braided rugs, crocheted tablecloths etc. I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I can understand your loving what you do.I like all the little pewter pieces you have in one of your displays also. I just have to back again & again just to look at all the detail. hopefully you will send some more things for us to see.
Inge, I get cd's, dvd's, everything from germany, england and sweden at five business days. when i ordered products from Andre years ago (before "homeland" security, they took 5 - 8 weeks. I waited eight weeks for a book. I truly don't think it is our "homeland security".L
I think, because our order comes on surface instead of air mail. That is why so slow! Kati
Hi All. Inge makes a good point. Maybe the culprit IS the homeland security program. It didn't used to take so long to get a DVD/CD. It seems like it used to take about the 3 weeks Andre's website says it should take to arrive in the US. But lately, it has taken much longer - the 3 weeks plus an addition 2-3 weeks. But at least we get them eventually - we just have to know that it will take longer.
re: homeland security screwing things up....
don't think so. when i order cd's from Koln, Germany or from England, I get them just shy of FIVE BUSINESS DAYS.
It must be another reason...homeland security does not screw everything up.
Hopefully it keeps away the terrorists not the classical musicians.
I agree with you that it is not homeland security. I have ordered from Andre since his website around 99 or 2000 long before homeland security and it still took 4 weeks and sometimes 5. Now maybe if it was sent what they call express in europe then it would get across the water in a week I suppose. We have had express mail come from Frankfurt in a week to here in Oregon but otherwise i usually takes 4 or 5 weeks.
Surface is the least expensive to send anything, from Europe, comes by Ship, that is why, it is so slow!! Kati
Hi Inge, your trip sounds just beautiful. Wish I could be there. I would love to see that countryside. The weather sounds just like the kind of weather I love. Take care and have a lot of fun. Look forward to hearing from you. Hugs
Hi, this is Sally & Trudy! We are getting ready for a concert tonight. Tell you all about it after it's done.
We'll say hello to Andre for you
Ha ha..I was thinking,in the back of my mind, that Sally had mentioned going to Milwaukee to the concert, and I think just because she wanted to see you! hope you all enjoy your time together.
She had to rub it in?? HUH?? I wish it was us, Shirley! Kati
Hi Sally and Trudy! We will be waiting for the concert reports!! Have a great night! Yes, do say hello to Andre for us!
dear friends Just read the posts for reading & am glad that Jeanine Ann met friends from D.C, had dinner & met Gary & Bela bonus. I am going to be able to go to Edmonton in Oct. & really
anticipating same. Don't have a digital camera but maybe my little 35mm
will do the job. Will try to buy things at the Andre concession & hopefully a new /08 calendar will be there. It was very cold overnite down to 6 Celcius, & had to activate the heat in my digs. If all works well I just might get to meet Al, & that would be more than okay. Will get a blue light & a red rose for my lapel.
Have a silk corsage from my daughter's wedding & that should be suitable. Hope
everyone is well as I am. It's a five hour trip to Edmonton from here & will go early so I can prowl around the venue before the concert. Love Marianne
I'm looking forward to meeting you, Marianne. Do you know what row your seats are in? I'll be 13th row, just left of center.
Hi you two Sally and Trudy! Have a wonderful time tonight. Tell Andre we will miss him when he leaves the U.S.
Hugs
Of late, I've ordered the last two DVD's from a large Australian dealer who lists them on Ebay. The price is about the same as the Boutique, but delivery was 8 days for one and 9 days for the other. Caution: the DVD's are in the PAL format. Most DVD players can be made to play the PAL format and in all regions. It only take a few minutes to do so.
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks
We are getting smarter every day! Thanks! Kati
And, thanks to everyone for the great photo taking tips.
Hi Marianne, so glad you will be able to get to Edmonton. You deserve it and it makes me happy to know that you will see Andre. Hope you can meet Al. We expect to meet him in Toronto, in fact, we are sitting right next to him. Hope your weather warms up. It was in low 80's here today and will be all week. As I speak, Andre is giving his last concert in the U.S. for this part of the tour. Miss him being on our soil but we must share him with everyone, everywhere. Glad you are feeling so well Marianne - it is all those prayers I have been saying for all of you. Take care. Hugs
Hi all, I order my dvd and cds from Andres boutique and get them in 3 weeks (Aussie) never had a problem. I recently ordered a dvd from amazon for hubby and its taken 8 weeks so far. I have had 2 parcels from Holland in that eight weeks. So why does it take so long to get something from USA?! The Romance DVD is brilliant. love it. My collection is growing I just need to see the real thing now. The Agenda list is getting short now, so we should see next years list soon. bye for now. Hi Sally
Hi everybody!
Shirley I, too, made things for my girls doll house, but they never played with it, I enjoyed only making it, haaaaaaa! I stitch in my free time here on a 4O count silk canvas a tiny carpet with l456O stitches, brought a magnifying glass to work on it. Today we have again 3O C , I will take the train to Munich to visit my other daughter, this one from here Bichl, went this morning to a business meeting to London, she picks me up tonight in Munich. I am on the go all the time. My main minis I will only buy June 2nd in the Soest show, but I got a few in Wengen for my friends of my club already.
Louraine I do not know this for a fact but I also send from Montréal to the US parcels and thy take fore ever and I send them per air mail. A letter to my friend in N.Y.C used to take before 9-11 only 2 days and now it takes 5-6 days. Perhaps the postal service is not up to par anymore????
Jeanine Ann, the country side is like a picture postcard here, I am from the Blackforest, but Bavaria is much more beautiful with the majestic Alps.
I am off to Munich soon, have a nice time at the concert, Sally and Trudy!!!
dear friends. We have yet another soggy day but it is supposed to clear by the weekendWill take a pal to Calgary on Monday the 28th to fly to Toronto & then pick her up June 27th.
She is going to visit her Mom, who is ailing, sisters, son & friends for a month. Would like to be a stowaway Ha Ha! Hope to meet Al G. when I go to the Edmonton cconcert/ Will leave here early so I can see the busses, maybe meet some of the orchestra & listen in to the sound check. Would be nice to learn something of the set-up as that is also what my son-in-law does. Will
get excited as soon as I get my ticket & accomodation Love to all Marianne
dear friends Thanks for te run-down on
the euro converting from the U.S dollar. When I purchase something in Euros, they first convert Cdn to U.S &
then charge a fee Questioned that when
I made my first purchase from the boutique. Now we are getting close to par so that's good for me but not so hot for the exporters. Guess you can't
win them all!! Also my Andre rieu ticket for Edmonton is also in U.S dollars so it does make it a bit pricey
but I'm going to go anyway. Love Marianne
Hi Fans,
We had a wonderful time in Ft. Lauderdale meeting Jeanine Ann and Clyde for dinner before the concert. They are fantastic people. I had an aisle seat and got a "high five" from Andre again.
We just returned home from our recent trip to Buffalo, Cleveland, and Grand Rapids. I attended the concerts in Cleveland and Grand Rapids with family. I got a "high five" again in Grand Rapids, and Franco shook my hand as he passed by. I visited with Dan and Alice in Cleveland, and he remembered meeting Jeanine Ann in Ft. Lauderdale and asked me to send him her email address because he had great photos of her in Reading. We have known Dan the Banner Man for almost 10 years and we chat at each concert that we attend. I'm afraid that I embarrassed myself by doing the Conga dance at both the Cleveland and Grand Rapids concert alone. I tried to invite others to join me. It was fun anyway and one of the ushers gave me a thumbs up. Sitting behind us, was a son and mother formerly from near Maastricht and the son told me that his grandfather was a good friend of Andre's father. I told him to sign Andre's guestbook because I'm sure Andre would love knowing that. Next, we will be off to Maastricht and Vienna in July. Best wishes, Ruth
What a beautiful experience? I would love tohave a High Five from Andre also! Maybe I will get luckier in Oct. when they do come to Denver? Those are wonderful plans You have for the summer, that is the way to go! Maybe, I will make next summer, to Maastricht and maybe Vienna, try to plan it! When I got up and danced the Conga in Denver, I just pulled up strangers, from the first row, Dan was there, asked Him also, but He did not get up. Kati
Here is another very nice review of an Andre concert:
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=610270
sausages being thrown into the audience?and a kangaroo tail?
oh well.......
Hi Kati,
I hope you will also be on the aisle when Andre comes down, and he may give you a high five too. I'm still embarrassed that I did the Conga by myself. I had fun, and it was nice to be up front near the stage. I hope that I will meet you in Sacramento. I will buy tickets since I've already made pledges for Portland and Seattle with Sally. Jim and I are going to Toronto too. The Las Vegas concert is very close to when we leave for Toronto so I'm sad that I won't be there too. I live in Nevada, but a long distance from Las Vegas. Ruth
Hi Ruth, Thanks for writing me, I wanted to go to Portland and Seattle first, I have my God Daughter in Seattle, thought good excuse!! ?? Since, they do come to Denver, Oct. 21st, saves me some on travel, but I do definitely count on Sacramento!! I just need to know, if You and also Sally stay overnight, and which Motel ot Hotel, so We can get together?
I had a Friend lived in Reno, so I have seen Lake Tahoe, now She lives in Vegas, just lost Her Husband last year, I do not know, if She will make the concert, I did make Her an Andre Fan tho. She might come to Denver, I have ticket for Her, I have to wait and see. Kati
Hi Ruth! Glad to hear you have had such a great time "touring" with Andre!
I'll see you in Portland! Looking forward to it very much!
Hi everyone, Thanks Ruth for that wonderful review. You are so lucky at getting those high fives! Maybe someday, huh? See you in Toronto!
Thanks Bill for the newspaper review. Not too bad a review and that is good for them or I would be sending a letter!
Just got a new computer so I am going crazy trying to learn Vista and a new I.E. This will take weeks (haha)! Have a beautiful weekend and a HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY. Hugs
I am anxiously waiting on Sally and Trudy, about the concert!! I hope it does come soon. I am sure, they did have a Fun of a Life Time!!?? Was this the Firts for Trudy? It is always special, and learn, that You must not leave after the Radetzky march!! I hope to see some good pictures!!?? Kati
Well, I've checked a couple of times today and all seems so quiet. I'm waiting patiently for those concert reports from Milwaukie. Well...semi-patiently...well...not real patient, but I'm trying very hard. Ok, so I'm not at all patient. I do know it takes time. Really, I do.
Hi Marlene - Had a chuckle re your "patience feelings" - I feel exactly the same about Andre's proposed tour to Australia! Cheers Norma
dear friends I have a real surprise for you. My 10 yr old grandson has decided he wantsa to come with me to edmonton to see Andre Rieu, when a year ago he was totally opposed to any other kind of music than rock etc, Sure just blew me away, I am going to introduce hime to
andre via Schonnbrunn & N,Y Memories this coming weekend & se if he still wants to come. Al I will let you know
where My tickets are as soon as I know, but in any case I will be at the
city centre Best Western & you can call me afte 4P,M as I intend to go to the venue early & hopefully take pics of the busses & anyone I happen to find
I am getting excited totally. Shoud ve a lot of fun Love to all Marianne
dear friends I have a real surprise for you. My 10 yr old grandson has decided he wantsa to come with me to edmonton to see Andre Rieu, when a year ago he was totally opposed to any other kind of music than rock etc, Sure just blew me away, I am going to introduce hime to
andre via Schonnbrunn & N,Y Memories this coming weekend & se if he still wants to come. Al I will let you know
where My tickets are as soon as I know, but in any case I will be at the
city centre Best Western & you can call me afte 4P,M as I intend to go to the venue early & hopefully take pics of the busses & anyone I happen to find
I am getting excited totally. Shoud ve a lot of fun Love to all Marianne
I wanted to do something very special for my wife on our 35th wedding anniversary this year, for being the greatest wife anyone could have. to put up with all my faults over the years, Irena needed something very special. Five weeks today we will be in Maastricht - Holland, to see Andre and JSO in person, I have tickets for the friday night and sunday night concerts (ROW A both nights )We are HUGE fans and always have Andre on at least once a day, at home or in the car. This will be once in a lifetime experience, as we are in Maastricht for the entire week, we will "soak" up the entire event. Will Andre have a meet n greet time during the week ?
Thanks again for your fantastic web site, will keep you informed of everything leading up to and including both concerts, regards to all
Enjoy Your trip Bill, I am sure, one will be so special, that You will not forget, ever. Good luck !! Kati
Hi Bill,
My husband and I will be in Maastricht too. Last year, we were also there and there were 4 Aussie's in our fan group. We hope we will meet you there. We are staying at the Hotel duCasque so you can find us. We are Jim and Ruth Morgan from Lake Tahoe. We are huge fans as well. The best way to meet orchestra members it to attend the sound checks each night at 5:00 PM before the concerts as they come out the the gate on the Vrijthof. Many of us will be there to. Ruth
Hello Ruth,
Have just read your email to Bill, my son, Craig and myself ar also going to
Maastricht for THE concert, also staying at the Hotel duCasque 6th, 7th and 8th July, so also may catch up with you. It is going to be wondeful, I can't wait. We are leaving Sydney on 21st. June, travelling to Scandinavia before heading to Maastricht. It will be great to meet other fans. Faye and Craig Smith, from Dora Creek N.S.W.
Ok, so we don't as yet have any Milwaukie concert reports to read about..so...Bill, from Perth, you sound like a special husband to get those special seats for your wife, to see Andre in Maastricht! Having never been there myself, I can certainly feel the excitement you must be feeling. I know that you will have a wonderful time, so please let us know all about it when you experience that special concert! Take a lot of pictures so we can see them too! Happy 35th whenever that special day arrives.
Ok, back to work, and I'll check later to see if we have any concert reports from somewhere in the world to read about.
Take care everyone and have a good Memorial Day tomorrow. Watch Andre's video on YouTube, it's very special, I'm sure many of you have seen it before, but if not, here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdrvtiSmP1w
How is everybody spending this long Kati
Most of my writing is missing! I was wondering how everybody spending this long weekend? We know, Bill is working. Anything special, anyone? Like watching some of Andre's DVD? Kati
Good day everyone. Marlene, I have watched that video, as it's very appropriate for this weekend. We are having a very rainy weekend here so haven't gotten out to any memorial services yet. As we take a bit of time to remember what Memorial Day is about, we say our prayers for all who serve and have served and all the families who love and support them. "They shall not grow old,as we that are left grow old.Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember the fallen".
Ruth, I made your potato salad & fried some chicken, and as today is Dan's birthday, I baked him a chocolate cake.
Hi Shirley,
I feel honored that you made my potato salad recipe for Dan's birthday. Happy Birthday, Dan!!!! Hope we can see you again sometime soon. Ruth
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAN< I just got home, having Lunch with myBrother and Family. You said right Shirley, We must not forget the fallen and the ones, who are serving, protecting Our Freedom. That Potato Salad sounds very good with Fried Chicken. I usually have the same combination, godd for the Weekend, Great for a Birthday. I was thinking about You, my storm got to Your direction, seen it yesterday, now, We just got another, hopefully, this will be a smaller one. More coming Tue. and Wed. rain is OK, just do not care for too much lightning! Kati
Hi Shirley! The best way my day was finished, is watching that most beautiful Memorial Day Program on PBS. Cried, all the way! You do not have to born in the US to feel for the Fallen, and Their families, You do not have to born in the US, to Honor them, Who lost their life for Our freedom, and the Ones are serving now, and protecting out Freedom! God Bless Them All ! Kati
Hi Fans,
For those who are patiently waiting for a report from Sally, I got a call from her yesterday from the Milwaulkee airport. I assume she is back now, but give her time to get it written. Ruth
We hardly can wait!! No surprise here!! Would love to go to a concert every day, but it is not possible. So, We just think of You Guys, having Fun, beautiful music, and all the Fans for Yoursels. Out time will come soon. Time goes by fast! Kati
Great news Marianne! Not only will your Grandson enjoy the concert but you will enjoy it double having him there. Hope you both have a marvelous time.
Bill - that is a wonderful anniversary gift for your wife. I do hope you have a wonderful, wonderful trip and enjoy Andre in his home town. I read your post aloud to my husband (hint)
I am sure Sally will have all kinds of goodies for us. I am also sure she will be very busy also. It will be good to have her back.
Shirley - beautiful - that is what Memorial Day is all about. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAN. We have a beautiful sunny day and we were also watching the Indy 500 until the rain came. Have a great holiday everyone.
Kati, are you riding? Hugs
Hello Jeanine, and all! Yes, I do ride very faithfully every day! I did increased my ride a little, sometimes40 minutes, sometimes 1 hour, depend, how I feel. My Brother came over the other day, brought His Bike, so I showed Him a little longer trail, and I am doing the longer route since. I hope i can keep it up, or just do it slower sometimes. I have seen His Family for Lunch today, and not seeing His Wife for awhile, She noticed the difference on my face and waistline, got smaller!! HAHAHA. So, I try to be faithful, do it daily, usually, earlier, like 9-10 AM, not as hot. So far so good. Thanks for asking, and think of me, I do appreciate it! Kati
Even tho motivations are questioned, this is a good Memorial Day site and gives credit (both sides) to AR's Heroes.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1840189/posts
I hope that everyone is respecting and having a good Memorial Day, and even though some of the motives are not as they should be, all those men and women who serve their country for whatever purpose, be it Freedom or Duty or for whatever reason, deserve to be honored because they put their own lives in danger to make it "safe" for all.
I'm a chicken when it comes to personal harm, I would be so afraid to be out there on those front lines fighting and shooting, and getting shot at, or worse. I think the make-up of a person who is ready, willing and able to be out there deserves the best we can give them as a country and it's people. I only wish that the wars would end and their would be total peace in life, there is too much LIFE to live, too much LOVE to hold, and too much FREEDOM to cherish, for there to be war.
My heart and love goes out to all of them and I wish only that they all return home safe and happy, to their loved ones at home. Thank you all for serving your country.
Marlene. You have expressed so well and so beautifully what we owe to our soldiers whether or not we agree with the circumstances of why they are there. I am sure we all dream of a more peaceful world. We can continue to hope, tho, and be thankful to those
serving our country.
Marlene, you expressed just how I too feel. I agree with you 100%. I love all who are putting their lives in harms way to protect us and the country we all love. I pray that God will watch over them every day and bring them home safely to their loved ones. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart. Hugs to all and HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY.
Kati, glad you are losing weight. You are doing real well. Now if I would just start walking, not for weight reasons but for exercise, I would be better off. Hugs
Anyone who needs or wants to work out by walking, only needs to visit Trudy. I cannot tell you how much fun I had. Trudy wanted to share with me, a favorite place of hers where she buys a cone of frozen custard. She claimed it was 'just around the corner'. Harrumph! It was around a long long block, up a block, down a few more blocks and then over yet more blocks. We sat eating the custard which was as wonderful in taste as Trudy promised, then we browsed a local store and even saw The Hollander Café. We took our time as we walked home, enjoying our company and the nice weather Milwaukee gave us.
There was a dear man in a wheelchair (we did not know him) who was sitting at one of the corners, and Trudy offered to help him. Not needing help but waiting for a friend of his, we left him be as we walked back to the Milwaukee Catholic Home (a Fantastic place).
It was a grand day of walking and talking!
If it was me, I would have enjoyed it too!! Today on my Ride, seen a little older Lady, sitting from one banch yto another near by, I stopped and asked Her, maybe She needs to get home, with some help? No, She was smiling, and I rode on! I figure, I am getting older also, would feel great, if someone ask me if I need any help. It just does make a person feel good inside, doesn't?? I am glad Sally, You had a great time, I hope We all do, when Our concert time is coming.Some people just amazes me!! How old is Trudy, really?? Kati
Nothing better than walking and talking with a friend!
Hi Jeanine, just for Your mind and body, the walking is great. I used to do it. Now, just picked up the Bike, was sitting here, so far I like it, if i need to, I will change to walking. It does help!! Kati
Hi Everyone. The secret to enjoy walking is to either get or borrow a dog or two. They LOVE go for walks. I have two shelties and I must say that they make a huge difference in how much I enjoy walking. We live very close to a very beautiful park with many nicely kept walking trails that go up and down a ridge filled with zillons of trees and ferns and all kinds of plants. We love to go there and usually go every morning. It is so mentally uplifting and gives a real "high". No kidding. And it is a great workout!
Hello all, this may be off topic but I saw dogs are mentioned and so.....I am the Area Coordinator for The Guide Dog Foundation for The Blind (Cocoa Florida). On Friday I received my 10th puppy to raise. She is a beautiful German Shepherd pup named 'Glory' I will have her for a year or so then she will return to NY for Guide Dog training. Yes walking is great with a dog or two!
Best regards to you all,
Wendy
Wendy. You are performing such a great service with the Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs can make such a big difference in the lives of those who are blind. Good luck with Glory.
Hi Wendy, I do admire You for doing this with the guide dogs. I could not part with them! I do know, have to think differently, when You think, the Dog will help someone so much in need! I do have an older German Shepher, almost 11, started to have hip problems. My going out for Her, love Her so much, I do not want Her to suffer tho. I will keep close eye on Her, and help Her, when I think it is time! You are a wonderful person doing this. Kati
Marilyn, I must agree with you and Wendy. Nothing like the energy & happiness of a dog on a walk.
I third that motion!
Hi all thought you might like a review appearing in one of our daily papers.
"Andre Rieu" - Heartthrob Andre Rieu is not the world's greatest classical violinist but this man from Maastricht colourfully dubbed the Flying Dutchman is the planet's canniest musician. His strategy is so simple, play a waltz with schmaltz. Rieu does precisely that and the multitude packed into the New York auditorium reacts with unabashed fervour. With Andre Rieu's pop-oriented reinvention of classical & less serious music, it is impossible to resist being visually and sonically seduced by his refreshingly vibrant 21st century showmanship. With many extras. Author was Bob Crimeen. Hope you find this interesting. Norma
Norma, that article describes the Rieu experience very well, i think. it is complimentary and truthful.
if anyone wants a cd that does have a technically brilliant violinist ...while at the same time one that playst with emotion and joy...try romance of the violin, by joshua bell. it is amazing.L
Many people needs this experience in Today's World. I amvery greatful for that! This is why, I have to make His concert, at least once a year! Twice this year! Next year, Holland, maybe Vienna, and I can visit my relatives, on the same trip. Looking forward to it. Kati
Sally you made me laugh, your Trudy sounds just like my daughter Jutta. The other day, when we biked to Kochen she said it was l2 km but my other daughter told me it was 2O km, last visit we walked around the Eipsee, she said it takes 2O Minutes , it took us 3 hours, haaaaaaaaaa!
I am since yesterday in East Germany in Halle, the weather has changed and it is gray and windy, I hope it gets better, when I go to Maastricht. In 4 days is my show, can hardly wait, I hope I brought enough money to buy all the minis.
Greetings to all from Germany, Inge
Hi Inge: I tell you, staying in shape must be the key. Trudy does Tai Chi, Works Out, Walks, Reads and stays active. Jutta sounds like she is the same way.
I am going to look up Halle, so I can see where you are at.
Hi Inge, Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. The weather in Maastricht has been rainy the last few days and the next two days should be in the 60's and partly sunny. (if my weatherbug is correct). I will keep you advised if you can check in. My thoughts are with you and I hope you have a wonderful time at your show. Hugs
Hi Norma, thanks for the nice article on Andre. It is pretty accurate. I tend to lean a little to the greatest rather than "not" but you know me
It is a good article though and certainly a lot better than some. Thanks again. Hugs
I have to lean your way also Jeanine Ann, "greatest" rather than "not"
Andre is not only a great violinist but he's very good to his fans, which is important to me. He doesn't think himself better than anyone, which is important and he has principle. He's a good person, and he wants to make people happy. His expressions, I cannot find anyone who has those incredible expressions
Marlene, I agree so much with you. As Andre says, he is trying to bring people together through music, which he obviously does. He is wonderful to listen to and that is what counts with me. He is not trying to be a great violinist or have an exclusively classical orchestra. He is doing what he believes to be important and judging by the numbers of people who attend his concerts and the numbers of CDs and DVDs he sells, he is succeeding to a fabulous degree. Critics who "judge" him on the basis of how great a violinist he is or whether he is playing traditional classical as opposed to the lighter classical stuff are "missing the boat" and their criticisms are not really relevant to Andre. He makes no pretense of doing anything other than what he says he wants to do - play wonderful music (classical, light classical, or whatever) and bring people together . "This world would be a different place if everyone made music" as he says. I know I am thankful to be able to enjoy a wonderful musician, his terrific orchestra, and their fabulous music.
Something many of the purists forget is that Andre is classically trained and as far as a violinist, he is always humble. Now I feel he is right up there with talent, but those that criticize, well...let's put their ability against Andre's. Hummmm...wonder what they would say then?
I think there is room for all types of music and each artist. I want to allow any artist their freedom to express their creation as they wish. Have you ever seen a room filled with painters, all painting the same subject, yet each paints a very different picture. It is the same with music. Same Music, Different & Unique Sounds. I like it that way.
Lorraine is correct, Joshua Bell's Voice of the Violin is magnificent. Well worth having. Something else Lorraine was right about... The ART of the Violin. Fantastic DVD. Filled with interesting information and extremely talented violinists. Each of the artists speaks of the other as to the way they present their music, and how it is to be enjoyed. Really a wonderful DVD to own.
back to work for me.. ~Sally~
Hi Joanne, Happy to hear you finally got your dvd! You will have much to chat about when Peggy gets back from 6 weeks in Europe!! I am so excited to hear her and Hank are going and rented a flat. This way they can choose the area they want to go and off they go!! Wish I were going, maybe one day! How is your weather there in California? Here in Nova Scotia it is not such a nice summer. Peg says Anchorage is cold still too! Drop a line when you can! By for now!
dear friends, Have been quiet for a few days, just bus, & my beastie has been acting up Kust bery slow so will
get my older grandson to come & clean it up & maybe solve the problem. Went to Calgary to take a friend Pat to catch the plane & go east to visit her family. Left at 7:50A.M & was back home by 12:54 . Just there & back very quick trip. Went grocery shopping to-day & the price of eating is just awful
Am having trouble with voting on the Dutch site so I wonder if it's the internet or the computer or a combo of both. Hope everyone is well love Marianne
Hi Marianne, I was missing you and glad to see you post. I remember Calgary from the Olympics. I wish I was there with you!
For Inge: Maastricht forecast for Thursday, partly sunny high 68, Friday high 64. Did not see any rain. Hugs
Hi Sally, you are right, my daughter is a former Figure Skater, now she skis, climbs mountains, dives deep sea, and does all kinds of mountain biking, she is exercising all the time and I can only stay behind, haaaaaaaaa!
Halle is near Leipzig, a little further from Berlin. Tomorrow we will go to Berlin for the day and on Friday to Leipzig, meet a André-Rieu-Fan from the GB and then off to Soest in Nordrhein-Westfalen, after that to Maastricht.
Thanks Jeanine Ann for the forecast, hope it is good, at least dry. I greet André from you, if I meet him, haaaaaaaaa! Probably do not get a word out if I would.
Nice concert experiences for you all that wrote about, enjoyed reading it.
Hi Peggy, have a nice time in Europe with Hank, Inge
Hi Everyone, Thanks, we hope we have a good Europe trip too. Now that I quit temp work we can do that. For awhile there I was just too busy to think straight. Thanks Joanne for your note this morning. The first time I had my computer on in a week. Had to buy a new hard drive it was infected with the Trojen virsus and we had Norton, but it never picked it up I guess. Regards!
Ok Inge, if you get to meet Andre tell him I said hello. Tell him I was the little blonde in Reading who always had the camera aimed at him. I am sure he will remember haha! Don't I wish. I am like you, if I would meet him I would freeze on the spot and the words would not come out
Have a nice trip Peggy.
Hi Marianne good to hear from you again. Almost every time we grocery shop we spend $50.00 to $100.00 and it is just the two of us (except for the three kitties). Food is expensive here too. You just reminded me that I forgot to vote the last two days - bad girl. I have been so involved with my new computer. Hugs
Hello everyone, just wanted to say that I am putting my computer in the shop tomorrow, hopefully will have it back tomorrow, and will be back online, but if not, then you will know why. If I miss anything, I will catch up asap!
Hi Ladies, Thanks Jeanine Ann and Inge for your good wishes! Food is expensive here too and sound like we spend about the same as you do. We too have three cats we had four, but one passed away from cancer a month ago, very sudden too it came on.
Marlene, good luck with your computer, I really miss mine when I do not have it. I guess we are spoiled. All the best!
I love how our computers connect us to the world. Who would have thought 100 years ago, that we could instantly connect with people anywhere in the world? The telephone and now computer. It is so fascinating to me. I had house guests from the USSR right at the beginning of Glasnost (sp) and they were stunned to watch the siege of the Russian White House "LIVE" on our cable news networks. They told me we were seeing what most Russians would never see. The man, Peter Ivanovich said he wanted to switch careers and work in broadcast after watching our stations.
Hi Peggy, so sorry about your kitty. I know what that is like. I almost lost my beloved Cotton twice from Cholangeohepatitis but each time she pulled through. Her little liver is shrinking all the time though and I am so afraid that one of these days she will stop eating again. That is the first sign. So we get a little paranoid if she is off her food for a day or so. But prayers helped her through the ordeal and they will help again.
Marlene - hurry back! Hugs
dear friends. The communication with the computer is a marvelous thing as it can connect us to folks all over the world in the best way possible. I
stay away from chat rooms & my daughter keeps control as there are predators who prey on young people. Just horrible people!! Peggy, I do hope you & your husband have a great trip. Wish I could be a stow-away but
one can alway dream Took dinner to my daughters' last nite, for my son-in-laws' birthday dinner. Steak, corn on the cob, scalloped potatoes, asparagus,
& lemon pie with a candle for dessert!!
Very pleasant evening had by all. Sally It is sad when we lose our furry pals but I have pics of mine so I can
remember them. Their live \s are so short, but they do give us tremndous love & affection as long as they are with us. I borrow my daughters' critturs, Frisky is an outdoor cat, who comes a running when he hears my car in the yard. Pearl is the calico & she's a bit more stuck-up, but is on my lap as soon as I sit on the sofa. The dog, Shadow is a rotwieiler/
shephard cross. She's 14 but still likes to play soccer with the kids & loves the petting. She has a beautiful temperament, so it just shows you that animals can develop unwanted behavior
that only comes from the eay they are teated by their owners. New carpets are being laid in hallways, lounges as
the old stuff was very badly worn so it id nice to have the up-keep of the building taken care of. Hope all is well. Just read about the disappearing
ice, arctic, antarctic & glaciers around the world & that is one scary
thing, then the droughts in the Southeast & the terrible bush fires there & in Australia. Hope Your kitty
stays healthy. Here we have to watch for anti-freeze spills as cats will lick it up & the poison destroys their
kidneys. Has anyone heard from Carol
LaCore recently, she's among the missing so I hope her illness hasn't gotten the best of her. Otherwise, I hope everyone is fine as I am, Love
Marianne
Hi Marianne, that dinner you made sounds so delicious. So nice of you to do that but then you are such a nice person. Your daughters pets sound so cute. I love all pets - cats, dogs, birds, whatever. They are all precious. Haven't seen any posts from Carol for a long time. Hope too she is ok.
I too love what computers can do. I was on last night while Sally was putting my photos on the page and as she was putting them on I made a comment under some of them and then she would comment back. So even at 3,000 miles apart we are together in that wonderful magical spirit in which Andre links us together. It is so beautiful and I treasure every one of you dear friends. We have no children around so we don't have to worry about that but I get so anxious and worried at these perverts who try to lure our precious children into a world that they should be protected from. Even some innocent things I look for on the computer sometimes turn into a place I do not want to go and it makes me angry. At least we are grownups and can understand what to do but these poor children can be destroyed by this pornography. Before we moved to Florida my husband and I were on the local anti-pornography task force and we were constantly searching for ways to get rid of this stuff and that was over 15 years ago. Now it has really developed into something that is almost unstoppable. But we keep trying. Have a beautiful day everyone.
Thanks Sally on your kind words regarding my kitty. I told myself I would be strong but they are my kids now and I love every one of them no matter how many I have. Jeanine Ann, thanks and as you know we all love to baby our kitties. I have little houses for each I bought made of foam and little paw prints all over so cute, but as we all know they go where THEY want not where I think they should (haha).
Marianne, that dinner you fixed sounds wonderful, you can be our stow away cooking like that! I looove lemon pie!!! We are not leaving until September so most of the tourist will be gone by then, that has been our experience before but you never know.
Marianne your daughter is right about computers preying on the young, so I keep a watch on my granddaughter when she is on mine too. Our son says that I probably got that virus from Webshots. There are preditors out there that just sit in a room figuring out how they can destroy our computers! Seems like quite a useless life, doesn't it. Today I go to the zoo with my 8 yr old granddaughter.
Hi Marianne, I just wrote a looong post about your wonderful dinner, the pets and the wonders of the computer and it was lost somewhere. I think it was because I mentioned that my husband and I were on a task force to get rid of the big P that is on the internet. I imagine it went to the moderator for approval so it may appear later. That was dumb of me to mention certain words that are probably filtered but I didn't know what else to call it. You will probably see the post later. Anyway that was a wonderful dinner you made and it was so nice of you to do it but as I said you are such a nice person.
Peggy your little kitty houses sound so cute but I know they go where they want to go especially tables and beds
So much to read, so much to catch up on, some new names. That's great.My eyes are not cooperating too well now so will have to wait to comment much.This month is almost gone, blue moon tonight. We have had 18 days of rain out of the 31 days in May! anyone need some water?