A Maestro for the Masses, The Wall Street Journal & Andre Rieu
Hello Dear Andre Rieu Fans & Friends:
*We have added the story in Spanish! Thank you to Andre Rieu Fans Argentina!
Gracias a André Rieu Argentina Fans! (scroll down page)
Can you imagine my surprise when John Jurgensen, a reporter with the prestigious Wall Street Journal called me for an interview regarding our favorite musician, Andre Rieu?
I know nothing of the world of journalism other than the fact those involved work long hard hours of investigating and seeking out information in order to put together something that is concise and interesting for us the reading/viewing public.
Had Mr. Jurgensen put all of our conversation in his article, well... it would have been at least four pages in length! We spoke about everything from Andre's upcoming outdoor concert at Rockefeller Center (I knew of this appearance far in advance, but kept quiet until the Rieu Camp released the information) Yes, I gushed about Andre's training and violin skills, mentioned that although the female fans find Andre to be Attractive, I did say it was the Music that keeps us going to concerts, buying the CD/DVDs and has everyone enthralled. But rather than my telling you about this... you can read the article by John Jurgensen of the Wall Street Journal .....
In a densely consolidated music industry, the conductor operates independently. With no permanent managers or outside promoters, and negligible radio play, his family business has relied on television appearances around the world and has made use of ongoing appearances on PBS pledge drives. All of this lays the groundwork for heavy touring. .....
A Maestro for the Masses
click the above link to read the entire article
André Rieu, el maestro de la música clásica ?ligera?
Es vilipendiado por los puristas, pero su gira recaudó US$96 millones en 2009, más que Britney Spears
Thank you to Andre Rieu Fans Argentina!
Gracias a André Rieu Argentina Fans!
They sent us this article in Spanish 
From: La Nacion an Argentinian Newspaper
Por John Jurgensen
El sábado pasado se formó una fila de conga en un concierto de música clásica. En un estadio repleto en Viena, el mismo que recibirá a Lady Gaga este año, los espectadores bailaban en los pasillos, agitaban banderas de todo el mundo y trataban de abrirse paso al escenario para llevar flores y vino. Todo esto era por el violinista y director de orquesta holandés André Rieu, quien mostró su dominio del violín con una sonrisa permanente por casi tres horas y siete bis, coronados con una lluvia de globos.
Luciendo un esmoquin azul oscuro y un reloj de cadena de oro, y con una melena que le llega a los hombros, el abuelo rompecorazones dirigió su orquesta de 100 instrumentos a lo largo de un programa de variaciones vertiginosas. Entre canciones, hacía reír al público. "Mi orquesta nunca se enferma", bromeó cuando un clarinetista estornudó fuerte y una pantalla mostró a un músico que fingía vomitar dentro de una tuba.
Rieu tocó el vals Oro y Plata del compositor húngaro Franz Lehár y luego presentó solemnemente la canción Earth Song de Michael Jackson, cantada por la soprano brasileña Carmen Monarcha y un coro local de niños. Ocasionalmente, hacía una pirueta de 180 grados mientras dirigía la orquesta y llegó a proclamar: "No hay duda de que el mejor público del mundo está en Viena".
A continuación, llegó el plato fuerte, el vals Danubio Azul. La melodía "arranca a la gente de sus asientos en todo el mundo y me ilusiona ver lo que sucederá esa noche", dice Rieu. Mientras el vals empezaba lentamente, las parejas empezaron a moverse hacia los pasillos; para el final de la pieza había unas 100 bailando.
Con conciertos como el de Wiener Stadthalle, Rieu recaudó cerca de US$96 millones en su gira el año pasado. Esta cifra lo colocó en el sexto puesto de los artistas con mayores ingresos por recitales en 2009, según un conteo de Billboard, por detrás de U2, Madonna y Bruce Springsteen, y superando a Britney Spears, Coldplay y Metallica. El próximo mes, Rieu llevará su Johann Strauss Orchestra a Estados Unidos, donde cuenta con seguidores pero aún no tiene el estatus del que disfruta en Europa.
El músico conjura lo que denomina el "romance" para un público maduro y en gran parte femenino. A diferencia de los amantes de la música más jóvenes, los seguidores de Rieu no compran muchas camisetas de recuerdo, pero no dudan en llevarse conciertos grabados en DVD y hasta repiten la asistencia a los espectáculos que suelen abrir con la marcha 76 Trombones y cerrar con la Canción de cuna de Brahms.
Rieu se considera un disidente de la música clásica, que, según él, sus fans rechazan como una institución llena de engreídos. Los detractores dicen que "no estoy en línea con otros artistas clásicos. Pero yo no quiero estar en esa línea", aclara.
Hijo de un director de orquesta holandés, se crió con sus cinco hermanos y hermanas en una familia aficionada a la música. Aprendió violín desde los cinco años y luego estudió en conservatorios de Holanda y Bélgica. Sin embargo, no se sentía feliz en orquestas profesionales, incluida la que dirigía su padre. Su esposa, Marjorie, dice que su esposo "ama la música clásica pero odia la forma en la que se presenta. La atmósfera es demasiado rígida. En la audiencia, no puedes respirar, no pue¬des toser, todos te miran. Eso es lo que quiso cambiar".
Pese a forjar su estilo personal de orquesta durante 30 años, su estatus como estrella del género de "música clásica ligera" es más reciente. Los Tres Tenores (José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti) dieron inicio a esta tendencia durante los años 90. El concepto fue considerado como el redentor de una industria en decadencia, pese a que enfurecía a los puristas porque los maestros se habían desviado de la norma, cantando canciones como El fantasma de la Ópera y Blanca Navidad. Una nueva generación de artistas de "pópera" (la mezcla de pop con ópera), como el tenor italiano Andrea Bocelli, siguió sus pasos.
Últimamente, muchos detractores, aficionados y artistas han empezado a aceptar el género como algo independiente y no como una amenaza para la música clásica tradicional.
Rieu modifica sus temas para que tengan impacto en un estadio, como tocar los valses de Strauss en una octava más alta en su violín y duplicando las partes de viento. Dirige su orquesta y cantantes mientras toca su instru¬mento, un Stradivarius de 1732.
En una industria musical densamente consolidada, Rieu opera por su cuenta. Sin agentes ni promotores permanentes y poca difusión en la radio, su negocio familiar ha dependido de apariciones televisivas alrededor del mundo. Todo esto allana el camino para organizar intensas giras.
Pese a las opiniones econtradas sobre su impacto sobre la música clásica tradicional, Rieu dice que siente la responsabilidad y el deber de propagar el género, pero bajo sus propias condiciones. "Hay tantas otras cosas en la vida que tocar siete horas al día para dominar Tchaikovsky. Lo podría hacer, pero no quiero", explica Rieu. "No quiero jugar ese juego".
Categories: ANDRE RIEU, Featured Fans, 2010 Concerts, Articles-Interviews
This was such Fun my Friends. I was excited as I waited to share this with you.
All Things Andre are Fun .... do you agree?
I was all smiles when I read this article Sally. I'm so happy that Mr. Jurgenssn called on you for this interview! You are very professional and your website is the best...positive, happy, friendly...and VERY Andre Rieu!
I'm also very happy that Andre is finally getting the exposure in the USA that he so deserves. I know that his concerts have been sold out and he's been here a while, but I feel the Wall Street Journal exposure will be nothing but positive publicity all the way around!
Anyway, thanks so much for sharing this, I know that it must have been very hard to keep this quiet until the Andre "camp" released the information...I would have been bursting at the seams!
Sally...thank you for being such a great lady who represents what Andre Rieu fans are all about. The happiness, the music, the man himself...all are represented here in a positive, happy, and of course, friendly atmosphere! Love ya!
This is a great article on our 'Mr. Rieu'! Thanks for posting this Sally.
Yes in deed Sally ~ it always seems there is never enough written about Andre. I hope and pray that this visit to the TODAY
SHOW coming up in June will draw many more
viewers. I always felt Andre was never exposed enough on our television networks. Now if we could only get a visit on the OPRAH Show (I know, I hear
you all laughing behind my back), you
realize how many people tune into her show ~ look at all the "Big Stars", and
the young up and coming talented people
she has had on her show, just sitting next to her, and as they say: 'the rest is history' ~ we are looking at millions
of people tuning in, then sitting down to hear what this MAN is all about ~ it sure can not hurt Andre's chances.
(owned by Judith Harzewski)
perhaps launched their careers.
This article is a wonderful lead in to the upcoming 16 Jun Central Park NY concert, in which portions of the concert will aire on the TODAY show.
Congratulations, Sally, on being mentioned in the article. You should be very proud of this website.
Why be surprised the Great Man is Just that GREAT,there is a Quality that He has that I believe is unique,a once in a lifetime person like Al Jolson totally different but unique,I am just so gratful that in my youth[ along time ago}I enjoyed him so much, but now more so am I loving Andre' His music 'His JSO they give of their tallents ,& Andre's way of presentation they are beyond words that I can express. Bless Him & His always;;
sally i really like this article as you know.
Thank you Sally for sharing this with us. It's really amazing. As soon as I saw his face in the first picture,smiling and having fun I immediately smiled.That is what Andre is all about. Bringing joy and happiness. He is a real tonic. Better than Gin and Tonic !!I wish he would get more exposure here in UK.Mm. Andre us 'women of a certain age' as Tina Turner puts it, love you to bits.
Thankyou for all your hard work dear Sally xx
Wow, I got up early and went back to bed to read the paper. What a surpise when I took it out of the wrapper!! It says you will be in Maastricht this year? Is that correct? We have to meet. This is the kind of publicity he should have had years ago. Way to go!!!
Thanks Sally. You did good!!
Well done , Sally, loved your article, Inge
As I read through the article more thoroughly, he says something about "not a threat to traditional classical, though not necessarily a gateway to it either".
I would have to say, in some instances, it can be a gateway. As I've said before, I always remembered a comment from another Andre fan, who told of going to a regular classical concert. After the concert she had a chance to talk to the conductor. She asked what he thought of Andre Rieu & he brushed her off with a haughty remark about how Andre was not considered a serious musician, or something along those lines. Anyway, she then told him that it was because of Andre that she even considerd becoming interested in classical music & wanted to investigate it further. The man had nothing else to say. I thought good for her! I've always loved classical music, a long time before Andre, I'm especially a Mozart lover. My first message I ever wrote in Andre's guestbook was about Mozart being my first love, but now I had another love & that was Andre Rieu. He is unique in what he brings to the people. His music makes people happy. Simple as that!
Hi Shirley, I tend to 'skim' over some of those comments where I instinctively see/read/feel Professional jealousy.
In some ways, Andre also does this to Others, & it's all part of the Music Culture, just the same as in any othr Profession or field. Andre is never a threat to trad. Classical (or any other music he chooses) .... as he gives honour to original Composers and musical score. Who in the Classical genre can criticise or argue with this without making fools of themselves?
Reality is - Andre 'does it' like no one before him, he is absolutely unique. Andre is 'every bit' a serious Musician.....he just knew that he had to, and wanted & needed to reach out and touch the public and say - (non quote) - Music feeds the spirit and soul, music is for everyone, I love what I do and I want you to enjoy it as much as I love giving this to you.
I've said this before - My Mum was a Classical singer yet not involved in the 'industry', only small time & local. She had a very similar outlook to Andre, reached out to her audience & made sure they had fun, yet in 'her day' would not have made a name for herself in her Genre of 'Classical' - this is one of the reasons I was so attracted to Andre's style when I first saw a concert.
MORE POWER TO ANDRE!!! FORGET THE KNOCKERS!!!!!
xxxx