FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL
S a l l y !
I have always loved music. I recall my first 'high fidelity' record player. It was October 4th, my birthday and I was 3 years old. My father promised to take me to the record shop where I could buy 12 records. (Remember those bygone things we called Records?)
Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley along with Fess Parker and El Kabong were some of the selections I made while browsing 45's. I was allowed to pick one album, but was unable to decide which one to get. After much review and asking my father repeated what the words on the album said, I choose: 50 Great Movements in Music, a double album set. From Waltzes to Rock n Roll I was in a 3 year old's music heaven.
The love of music has stayed with me. I started piano lessons when I was 6 years old and can only say Jo Huijts has no competition to worry about from me. I also play Viola and Trumpet but would never claim to have made it past the playing for personal enjoyment ability. (or is that personal annoyment to others ability?)
Watching television a few years back, I stumbled onto Andre Rieu while flipping channels and catching a brief glance on PBS of something I had to return to watch. What was this beautiful sound? Who was that smiling man and those women in dazzling gowns? Returning to the channel I had clicked past, I found Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra.
I could not turn away from this happy, playful music with the smiling violinist named Andre Rieu. He was playing music to bring heaven to earth. Andre's charm was shining through the television. I was hooked. In that moment I became an Andre Rieu fan.
Jo Huijts took my breath away with his ever-perfect piano style, tempo and ability. I sat listening for his touch within the glorious music I was hearing. His musical arrangements with Andre are one of the things I think sets the Johann Strauss Orchestra in their own category.
I immediately purchased: Andre Rieu & The Maastricht Salon Orchestra's Live Gala Evening. It remains a favorite of mine to this day. I now own every DVD, CD and VHS of Andre Rieu & the Johann Strauss Orchestra.
I started this website in February 2004 to give Andre Rieu Fans a meeting place and voice. Andre Rieu has fans around the world as well as in the United States, and I would like to meet them all. Great Music & Good People. It brings such happiness.
I would love to see more interest generated in the U.S. for Andre's music.
Happy, Joyful, Playful, Vibrant, A Musical Party, Heaven for the Ears…
Webmaster Sally 1956 - The year Sally was born
Top songs of 1956
Some Famous People Born on October 4
1822 Rutherford B. Hayes (19th US President)1895 Buster Keaton (comedian)
1924 Charlton Heston (actor)
1937 Jackie Collins (author)
1941 Anne Rice (author)
1946 Susan Sarandon (actress)
1949 Armand Assante (actor)
1960 Afrika Bambaataa (musician)
1967 Liev Schreiber (actor)
1976 Alicia Silverstone (actress)
1979 Rachael Leigh Cook (actress)
On This Day In History:
1830 Belgium declares its independence from the Netherlands.
1883 First run of the Orient Express.
1927 Carving of Mount Rushmore begins.
1957 Soviet Union launches Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite.
1985 Free Software Foundation founded.
4 October is also:
Independence Day (Lesotho)
World Animal Day
Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi (Catholicism)
Birthday Greetings from your Moderators, Sally
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLY!!!
You’ve come a long way Sally, from the beginning of this year when you were in the hospital with an incredible challenge. Your incredible positive attitude and will brought you through your issues and you are back and have never deviated from your positive outlook on life. So many people would be happy to be so rewarded with such a positive outcome in life. You have gone through this and conquered! I’m happy to call you a dear friend. You are intelligent, positive, you love animals you are compassionate, sincere and of course you are our Webmommie who I’m proud to say is the best! Thank you for all the news, intelligence, friendship and positive attitude with which you run AndreRieuFans.com. The André Rieu fans and friends around the world should be proud in every way that there is someone like you bringing all the latest up-to-date information about our favorite Maestro, and being a Friend as well. I wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sally, I wish I could be there to celebrate with you. I hope you receive everything your heart desires along with peace, happiness and love. Now go out and celebrate YOUR DAY! Eat some yummy cake!!!
Love and Hugs,
Moderator Adagio
Happy Birthday to a special lady.
My wish for you is that you will have the inner strength and ability to accomplish what you desire.
Music to inspire you on your quest for harmony, peace and balance in your life.
I wish you happiness, good health,love, joy,creativity,abundance, grace,courage,
all things bright and beautiful
Moderator PrudenceHAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLY! THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU PUT IN TO THIS SITE FOR ALL TO SEE. I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR DAY FULL OF JOY, HAPPINESS AND A BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY CAKE.
Moderator Piano
Happy Birthday Sally! I hope this day will be
special for you and that you will find joy,
peace and happiness. I also pray that you
will be surrounded by the same kind of
friends that you have been to me. God Bless
Moderator Jeanine Ann
And a special bouquet from Kati
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLY! KATi
Moderator Bill says "Happy Birthday" from the Mountain!
Happy Birthday
Sally from André
Good-Day, dear Sally !!
For your Birthday tomorrow and for always, I wish you the Best the World can offer, which are Good Health, Contentment, Inner Peace, Joyfulness and Success.
Of course, I hope all your o w n wishes also come true. I am thinking of you.
Many, many happy returns of your Birthday, dear Sally! I would like to add a nice picture, but have not quite figured out, how to do it. I shall try now though:
This photo I created myself!
Have a GREAT Day, dear Sally!
Cordially,
Hermina
Hello Hermina, so good to hear from you. Please send your photo to me and I will put it on for you. I am emailing you now. Take care and thanks much. Hugs
Thank you very much!
Wow, That is BEAUTIFUL. Thank you so much, Hermina!
What would I wish for your birthday? A song, a hope, a dream, a smile, just anything that brings you happiness today and always.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY my friend.
THANK YOU THANK YOU
Thank you Sally , for finding me on André's blog & sending me an email telling me of your website.
This website has been a constant source of fun, & enjoyment.
And I'm looking forward to meeting you prior to André's next concert here in Phoenix on 23 June 2009
Happy Birthday, Webmommie
Aww, You're Welcome! Yes, I can't wait to Dance like Herman Munster!
Dear Sally, I wish you , too, a very happy birthday and many more live André concerts and music from the "Flying Dutchman!" , love Inge
Thank You Very Much!
Sally, wishing you a beautiful day with lots of music, of course.
Kay
Thank You Kay!
Thank You Jeanine Ann
Hi Sally, Here's to you on your special day tomorrow! You are a wonderful friend and I wish for you a funfilled day and the best year ever. Can't wait till June. Thank you for all you do for all of us!
Marilyn W
Happy Birthday Sally! Could not let the day pass without giving you something special!
This makes me want to go to a Concert !
FOR YOU SALLY,
A SPECIAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISH
FOR A SPECIAL LADY!!!
HERE’S SOME FLOWERS
ALMOST
HAND DELIVERED!
Hi Sally,
Happy, happy birthday. You deserve it.
You have brought so much to our lives
and we appreciate it so much. Have a
fabulous day.
Hugs, Marilyn
BIRTHDAY WISHES DEAR SALLY, IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY SO THAT MAKES THE DAY A SPECIAL EVENT RIGHT THERE! AND HERE'S HOPING IT'S ONE OF THE NICEST YOU'VE EVER SPENT, WITH ALL YOUR WISHES COMING TRUE, PLENTY OF BIRTHDAY CAKE AND THE LOVE OF ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SALLY!!
[ if you haven't rec'd my card yet, TG,
I forgot to add a little message on the front of the card, here goes]: BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN "OPENING".....heads up...
Dearest Sally, Happy Birthday to a wonderful lady who I respect and admire so very much. You have truly become my favorite e-mail pal. I wish you well this coming year. You truly deserve it. Hugs and Love, Carole
I hope you had a wonderful Birthday Sally, the reason I am late posting is I have been searching for this item just for you. But alas!!. I cannot find it anywhere.
From Andre's Australian Website :-
What’s the most sung yet least recorded of all songs?
It’s HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I had the idea to make a CD recording of this song and Universal Music Australia has just released it as a CD Single-with-Card.
I hope you’ll send my greetings of music to your friends all over the world.
Andre Rieu
The Birthday was Good. Thank You!! (I still do not understand why we have birthdays!! I think we should choose an age we like, and stay there.) As long as we can keep learning that is..
HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY
PHAR LAP
*I wanted to share with everyone a
Beautiful, Special Horse
who shares my birthday
Standing 17.2 Hands, he was sometimes called "Australia's Wonder Horse"
His name means: Sky Flash
Born: October 4, 1926
Death: April, 5, 1932
Australian Racehorse. Born in New Zealand.
This big chestnut gelding with a name derived from the Thai word for lightning, "Phar Lap" is an Australian legend. Fifty years after his death, his mounted hide, the work of expert taxidermists in New York, the Jonas Brothers taking four months, created a masterpiece of taxidermy, which still attracts thousands each year to the National Museum in Melbourne.
In his long career, this amazing equine, started 51 times, recording 37 wins, 2 second, 3 thirds and 9 unplaced runs. However, he is remembered in America for only one race and the mysterious manner of his death. The horse had won every major race in Australia...Melbourne Cup, AJC Derby, Victoria Derby, WS Cox Plate, (twice) however, the purses were small. Phar Lap's owner, American born business man, David Davis, had his eye set on the rich American horse racing circuit and a dream of garnering larger purses. In 1932, the horse was loaded aboard a ship for his ill fated sea voyage to San Diego. Phar Lap was entered to run in the Agua Caliente Handicap, at an American owned track located in Mexico, (Caliente now defunct) a casino-resort complex located a few miles south of the city. The race at that time paid the largest purse in the world paired down due to the depression from one hundred thousand to fifty. Phar Lap, although overweight and racing against top class horses, won by two lengths while smashing the course record. He was taken to a horse farm in northern California located in Menlo Park for boarding and further training while his owner arranged for additional race track appearances around the country. He would never race again as two weeks after arrival, the animal suddenly died. An autopsy indicated an enlarged heart with gastric problems, but the precise cause was unclear fueling speculation to this day what illness claimed the horse. The Australians had a simple explanation, he was poisoned by gangsters controlling the American racing industry. However, Phar Lap's American tour continued, first to New York, where his hide was mounted and upon completion, the image, toured eastern American tracks before being returned to Australia. The mounting was displayed for a time at the Capitol Theatre in Melbourne before being taken to the National Museum of Victoria for permanent display. Others parts of Phar Lap...Heart to the Institute of Anatomy in Caberra and his skeleton to the Te Papa New Zealand National Museum in Wellington.
Legacy...His story was made into a movie "Phar Lap" in 1983, starring Martin Vaughan and Tom Burlinson. The director was Simon Wincer who later made "Free Willy," in 1993. Several books have been authored..."Phar Lap" by Geoff Armstrong and Peter Thompson and "Phar Lap: True Legend" by Michael Reason. The champion was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, one of five charter members honored. Blood-Horse magazine ranked Phar Lap number 22 of the top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century. In a bit of trivia...A popular Australian song was written at the time of his passing, "Phar Lap-Farewell To You."
Rest in Peace, Phar Lap. You are a Beautiful Boy. May you run free in Heaven.
That is a beautiful story Sally and sad also. What an amazing horse. Thank you for this. May he rest in peace.
The things that turn up on this blog !!
What a wonder horse and true Australian Legend Phar Lap is. I have seen him in Melbourne at the Museum. I say a true legend because even today small children here make reference to running as fast as Phar Lap. A great Aussie quote when someone is skiting off is "Who do you think you are - Phar Lap?
He was so loved for his honesty in racing at a time when the world was in Depression and the Battler could rely on winning a few shillings by betting on Phar Lap (or "Big Red") as he is also affectionately known as here.
It was a great movie too. The story of his strapper Tommy Woodcock, is just as legendry. Phar Lap is easily the No 1 Legend in Australia, no other being or event comes anywhere near the legend of Big Red. Some more good reading here :-
http://museumvictoria.com.au/PharLap/museum/scrapbook.asp
Thanks for the link. I think Phar Lap is one of the most Beautiful horses I have ever seen. He genuinely looked like a little boy (actually big boy) who loved to run. He was amazing.
"Legend" is a word that is thrown around far too easily these days. Not many things on this Earth rate "Legend" status with me. I think the main criteria for a "Legend" is it must touch everyone in some way. Phar Lap and Slim Dusty are the only Australian Legends that come to my mind easily. When I think of American "Legends" the first ones that comes to my mind are Dolly Parton and the great horse Secretariat. I think Winston Churchill gets the "Legend" tag along with Sir Edmund Hillary. Is Neil Armstrong a "Legend" ?? There must be more ???
I had better add Abraham Lincoln and Sir Donald Bradman to my list before you all descend on me.
What a sad outcome to a great horse. I had not heard of Phar Lap before. I had been a Kentucky Derby fan for years, remember when my dad had talked about the great War Admiral, so he & I would watch the derby every year, and I, even after my dad was gone. I loved the whole tradtion of it, from the "My Old Kentucky Home", the mint julips, the jockey silks, but most of all the glorious, beautiful horses, Seattle Slew, but then along came "Secretariat"! I fell in love with that horse. A triple crown winner had won my heart. Talk about legends. I never saw a horse since that quite won my heart the way he did. I did root for Smarty Jones. But it was not til Eight Belles and Barbaro that I became disillusioned with horse racing. I hadn't seen the "politics" of it, the drugs, the betting side, and it all left a bitter taste in my mouth. I'm so sorry that poor Phar Lap was a victim of the bad side of racing. I don't think I'll ever watch another race.I think for the most part,these beautiful animals are being exploited for money. My illusion is broken! How sad.
Greyeme, you mention "legends", who really knows, but there are those whose fame will be enduring. Old Johnny Cash used to sing a song called "Whose Gonna Fill Their Shoes", and I think it's true. There will never be another of some. They are a classic or a legend. They were something special and out of the ordinary.