Nothing But The Bow
For Andre Rieu

by Mario Wisse
Posted on Thursday, September 3, 2009

Andre Rieu Violin Phenomenon
appears twice this weekend with Holiday On Ice

It all began with the Second Waltz, the second suite of Dmitri Shostakovich, which he half nineties entire football stadiums had sway. Now Andre Rieu sells more concert tickets than the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay. This weekend Violin Phenomenon Andre Rieu (59) gives two Holiday on Ice - Naturally sold out - concerts in the Amsterdam Arena.

You have thirty years in the business. Are you still nervous before a show?
For each performance. That's terrible. I would not wish this on anyone. Every time I think: I was only turf. True, but that goes away very quickly when I'm on stage.

Describe for us, Andre Rieu ten minutes before going on stage?
Then, at this time you should not talk to me. Everybody knows that. They all walk around and nobody says anything to me. I am like a polar bear and the hope that those ten minutes pass as quickly as possible (laughs).

Drink a wine or a glass of champagne?
No, no, please no. That is a rule in the company, we take action against drinking. If I see an employee drunk, he may go. I do not want, because you have no alcohol control over yourself.

What turns you really at home for music? Other things than classical?
At home I put no music on. I do not (laughs hard). All I do is listen to recordings that I make. Here I am doing and this must still be changed and such and such, and when it is finished I do not listen to. That is pure work.

That's like a baker who does not eat bread?
You have to imagine: I make music all day, so I'm doing all day. When I'm at home here, I do a Sudoku, just something else anyway. I sleep very much. Often between noon and to perform for an hour. Otherwise I also cannot sustain.

Something else: you are the best selling male artist in the world. What do you think?
Ach. I'm not hit-artist huh? I give 120 concerts a year and they are all in arenas average of ten thousand men. It is logical that I am always in that top 10 best selling artists floating around. It is no surprise, but fun course. What is fun: Madonna in Australia stood at number 1 when I got there. I did a week of promotion and when I stood at number 1. I saw that night one or other animation on TV which I with my bow as Madonna 'tjoep afsla’ of the stage (laughs).

You sell the most concert tickets but we read early this year that your company tens of millions in debt. Why?
That was because that stupid castle I made, I also signed up for the Arena Stadium Tour. That was expensive. In Canada I had to rebuild it completely, because the fire department had rejected it. Then I have to make a castle. Then go again to the bank and borrow some money but still. I am the only an artist - which my wife said jokingly - with a turnover of I-know-how-much, no profit you make (laughs hard).

What is the secret?
(Still laughing A lot of publishing. No, seriously, my son Pierre is in the company and it irritates him no end that nothing remains. He will now ensure that some profit remains. Still I am on: I'm not doing it for the money. And I'm not complaining though. I have a nice car and a nice house, but I have to do other work. And that's not bad, because I really enjoy.

You are popular in all quarters. How do you explain that?
My music is universal. It is for all ages, all walks of life for everyone. That does not stop at a border. And I speak a few languages, which also helps.

Was it really your goal to make classical music accessible?
Yes, I have always wanted. I come from the world of classical music, my father was a conductor and when you see those concerts and that world, you see how small it is and how stiff it is to it. And those rules, if someone claps in between, o god o god o god. It has always disturbed me. They are humorless by nature, and sever; it is not to be believed. I want a little change.

Do you feel that succeeds?
Oh, I'm the best selling male artist so it works a bit. I am now nearly sixty and I'm living to 120. There is still plenty of time to educate millions of people.



                       

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Outdoor Concerts 2010 Maastricht
Yesterday it was announced that Andre Rieu like last summer outdoor concerts in 2010 in his native town. Together with his Johann Strauss Orchestra Rieu is Friday July 16, Saturday July 17 and Sunday, July 18 at the Vrijthof. The sales for the concerts start next Friday, September 4 at 10.00 hours.