André Rieu's Farewell To Maastricht's Mayor Gerd Leers

Click on Link To See Ruud and Ineke's Video ►Farewell To Mayor Leers

André Rieu's First Article Written For 'Eigen Bedrijf Magazine'

André Rieu's First Article Written For "Eigen Bedrijf Magazine"

Exclusive Rights on February 25, 2010 for Publication and Translation granted to the "Harmony Parlor" by Eigen Bedrijf Magazine. Translation is ©copyrighted and may not to be used entirely or in part without specific written permission by the translator, John deJong.

"Intuition"
Written by André Rieu for Eigen Bedrijf Magazine

"What sort of Entrepreneur are you?" asked one of my acquaintances recently. Gee, I had to think about that for a minute! (a) Because in the first place I see myself as a musician, (b) The word "Entrepreneur" sounds so businesslike and my perception of my work actually does not feel like work and (c) because occasionally I hear from other people that I have a business and emotional side, which would portray me as an Entrepreneur.

One thing is for sure, my intuitions are my most important guidance system in being an Entrepreneur.The times that I ignored these intuitions, aware or unaware, turned out to be a fiasco. Like the time when I hired a musician because of his brilliant resume and not because of the "click" I should have felt. Or the performance for an audience who received free tickets. Never again!

But on the contrary, I really did have a good feeling about copying the Viennese Castle Schönbrunn, better known as Empress Sissi's Palace, which in the meantime became the world's largest traveling stage setting. This was a gigantic investment, which caused our company in 2008 to go into the red. Maybe it might sound odd, but it did not keep me awake for one single night! Everything felt right when I and my orchestra performed in Vienna in front of the real Schönbrunn Castle in 2006. Afterwards I told my son, who since then has become vice president of our company, "This is the perfect atmosphere which fits with my music. We can only do one thing, "Copy it!!".

He doubled over with laughter, as if I had told a good joke. In the meantime we traveled around the world with the Castle, the two ice rinks, the extensive ballet, the horses, the carriages and the fountains.The audiences are very enthusiastic and we can, with the utmost pleasure, create a performance that our guests will not soon forget. The investment placed huge emphasis on our product and gave us lots of media attention, which normally would be priceless ... Simply because it felt right.

So if you ask me what kind of Entrepreneur I am? ... "One with Intuition!"

André Rieu

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Every year André Rieu conducts about 120 concerts in several countries all over the world. The André Rieu Production Company employs 120 people including his wife Marjorie and son Pierre. He belongs to the Top Ten Best Selling Traveling Artists in The World. Currently he places sixth, in front of well known world artists like Britney Spears, Coldplay and Beyoncé.

Our sincere thanks to Ruud and Ineke for sending us this article with the Exclusive Permission of "Eigen Bedrijf Magazine" for The Harmony Parlor! And to John for his Expert Translation!

André Rieu To Write Column For Eigen Bedrijf Magazine

André Rieu Receives The First Copy of Magazine

The Chamber of Commerce to Launch "Eigen Bedrijf" (Private Company) A Leading Magazine For Entrepreneurs.

'Eigen Bedrijf' the newest and largest magazine for entrepreneurs. The Chamber of Commerce will distribute the first issue on February 25. "Eigen Bedrijf" will be published six times a year and will be circulated to nearly 800,000 subscribers. The Magazine will appear in 12 Regional Editions. It replaces the "Kamerkrant". The last issue of the "Kamerkrant" was published in December 2009.

With this new magazine, entrepreneurs will receive information from the Chamber of Commerce, on all matters they might face. In this manner, entrepreneurs can share their views, experiences and insights with the readers, give expert practical advice, provide a quick look at recent economic developments and legislative changes are identified and explained.

In commemoration of the publication, Wil Houben, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Limburg, presented Andre Rieu with the first copy. Rieu will provide a column to the magazine, in which he talks about his experiences as an entrepreneur. In 2009 he was voted as the best selling male touring artist around the world. André Rieu Productions employs 120 people ... Thanks to Ruud for sending this to us and John Translating it!

André Rieu To Play For The Dutch Queen!

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André Rieu To Play For Dutch Queen Beatrix

On March 26, 2010 André Rieu will provide a Musical Interlude during the Opening Ceremonies of the South Limburg Tourist offices (VVV). This, according to the South Limburg Tourist Offices.

On that day the 125th Anniversary of the VVV will be celebrated in Valkenburg, as well as throughout the Netherlands. The very first office of the VVV was opened in Valkenburg.

Because of these festivities Queen Beatrix has been asked to attend the ceremony. This was the reason for the directors of the VVV Zuid-Limburg and the Netherlands to ask the Maastricht Violin Virtuoso André Rieu for Musical Entertainment. ~ Thanks to Ineke for sending this and John for the Translation!

These photos are of the VVV in Maastricht

André Rieu Almost Went Under Due To a Dream

André Rieu Almost Went Under Due To a Dream

His tour through Australia in 2008 almost did him and his orchestra in. "I do not mind dying poor," says the 60 year old violin virtuoso, "but it came too close, to the point that I almost had to dismiss all my orchestra members. It was really too intense".

Dressed in a long elegant coat, umbrella above his head, André Rieu is waiting for me in a snow shower at the train station of Maastricht. The immaculately dressed gentleman is quite noticeable in the city which is still full of Carnival atmosphere. "My financial adviser predicted all this. The year end financial figures are now out and there will be a storm of comments."

Click On The Link Below To Read The Full Article

►André Discusses The Most Extreme Year of His Life

André Rieu At Departure Ceremony For Mayor Leers

Rieu Will Be Live Via Video at Departure Ceremony For Gerd Leers

Maastricht February 16, 2010: The "People's Farewell" to (Maastricht's Mayor) Gerd Leers will be held on February 26, 2010 and will be adorned with a live video of André Rieu, who will then be performing in Zürich. According to organizer Huub Adriaens, Rieu has rented a control trailer with a dozen cameramen in order to partake in the people's farewell." The images will be a gift to the outgoing Mayor.

Thousands of people are expected on The Market that Friday. "Als Frans Theunisz and 'The Mastreechter Star' will also be performing, but the focus of the festivities will be on the ordinary people", said Adriaens. "For our speakers we will have just ordinary persons. This will not be a protest demonstration". All texts will first be discussed, and the intention is for only words of thanks.

Thanks to John For The Dutch Translation Of This

Explaining the Crazy Dutch Love of Speed Skating

The Dutch Get Their First Gold in Vancouver!

►Explaining the Crazy Dutch Love of Speed Skating

VANCOUVER, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Sven Kramer banished his painful memories of Turin four years ago with a dominating performance to win the Olympic 5,000 metres Speed Skating GOLD MEDAL on Saturday.

"This is the biggest one," the powerful Dutchman told reporters after claiming his first Olympic Gold. "This is the most important one."

Kramer waited four years to wash away his disappointment in Turin where he had to settle for Silver in the 5,000 and lost what seemed a near certain Dutch gold in the Team Pursuit when he fell and they ended up with Bronze.

"The pressure was so high in Holland and yeah, I said, 'I must do this.' Finally, I'm pretty happy."

As for the photos ~ I will leave it to those who are in them to claim them! Are we to visualize André's beautiful locks in orange today too?!? ;-)

André Remains in The Number Two Spot This Week in UK Pop Chart

London: Sunday, February 14, 2010 There was no change in the UK albums top three, with Alicia Keys and "The Element of Freedom" at number one, Dutch violinist André Rieu at number two with "Forever Vienna" and Paolo Nutini at number three with "Sunny Side Up."

So it's on to next week and hoping André gets that #1 spot away from Alicia Keys!!

Getting Ready For Carnival on The Vrijthof ... Brrrr

Here's the Webcam Pics From This Evening in Maastricht. André says on his Twitter they've flown home for a week off and Carnival! Let's hope it warms up over there!! ;-)

André Rieu To Perform at The Classical BRIT Awards

André Rieu to Perform at The Classical BRIT Awards

The UK’s recorded music association, The BPI, today announced that The Classical BRIT Awards 2010 with NS&I will honour one of the most loved sopranos of the past century, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Taking place at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday May 13, 2010, the 11th Annual Classical BRIT Awards with NS&I will be a glamorous and spectacular night of music, a tradition that started back in 2000. Joining a custom set by previous Lifetime Achievement Award recipients including Plácido Domingo, José Carreras and Vernon Handley, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will bring the evening to its climax with a very special and memorable performance.

Another Highlight of the night will come from ANDRÉ RIEU who has just celebrated chart success with ‘Forever Vienna’, which entered the charts at number two this week. This and other performances, yet to be announced, will be broadcast on ITV1.

André Rieu Trounces Pop Acts and Rises To #2 in UK!

Classical Violinist Trounces Pop Acts and Climbs To Number Two in The Charts

Sunday Feb. 7th: A Classical Violinist trounced established pop acts yesterday when his album of Strauss waltzes climbed to NUMBER TWO in the Pop Charts. André Rieu beat pop stars including Paolo Nutini, Florence and the Machine and Lady Gaga with his album Forever Vienna. The Dutchman put his surprising surge in popularity down to the success of prime time TV dance shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing on Ice. The record is not only the highest-charting orchestral album ever, but also the first time a CD of 19th century music has appeared in the pop charts. Forever Vienna has steadily beaten off competition from Susan Boyle, Cheryl Cole and Michael Buble in the six weeks since it was released.

The album completely sold out in its first week of release and sales have since snowballed, with the album going gold - reaching 400,000 sales - in just three weeks and taking the No.1 spot in all of the major supermarkets sales charts. Since the UK Album Charts began in 1958, only once – when violinist Nigel Kennedy reached No.3 over 20 years ago – has classical instrumental music made such an impact. Kennedy brought Vivaldi into thousands homes with his landmark Four Seasons recording, which peaked at No3.

The UK is the latest in a string of countries to be swept off their feet by the violinist and his Johann Strauss Orchestra. He is already a huge international star with his tours, outselling music heavyweights Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay and AC/DC.

Rieu's spokesman told the Mail: ' André's popularity has a lot to do with the proliferation of prime-time dancing shows like Strictly Come Dancing, So You Think You Can Dance?, Got To Dance and Dancing On Ice.'The waltz has been an important part of many of those shows and really seems to have captured the public's imagination. 'He also appears to have a wide age-group of admirers. He's 60 but he does have sex appeal. He also seems to have knocked the stuffiness out of classical music.'At his live concerts, people actually get up and dance like they did when Strauss used to be performed the first time around in Vienna.'

Rieu said: ‘The waltz encapsulates all emotions in life, and this is why people love it. This UK 'pop' chart position is proof of that, so of course I am thrilled'.

Gennaro Castaldo, of HMV, said: 'Never before has this music made it into the pop charts. Rieu is adored all over the world and with this album he has shown music fans in the UK why. 'He certainly has a talent for bringing traditional waltz music to life, to be enjoyed in the way it was in its heyday.

'The success of Classical Music crossing over into the Pop mainstream has been evident some years now, but for André Rieu, who was relatively unknown in the UK until recently, to be in the top 2 and outselling the likes of Lady Gaga and Florence and the Machine suggests that something a little deeper is happening.

'Clearly, many fans have taken to Rieu's engaging personality and infectious brand of music, but it also seems likely the public's fascination with all things dance right now, and with the likes of Strictly and Dancing on Ice in particular, is also helping to boost sales.'

André's Comment About This From His Twitter: "I believe we just wrote pop chart history in the UK. Forever Vienna is on 2 position in the charts. UK here we come!!!!"

UPDATED FEBRUARY 10, 2010 ARTICLE ► How Andre waltzed his way to stardom

The Harmony Parlor News Site For André Rieu on Facebook!

The Harmony Parlor Is Now On Facebook

A few days ago at the promting of some friends, I set up a page for The Parlor on Facebook. I think it will be fun for fans to be able to put their own pictures on and write about what concerts they're going to and have been to etc. Plus it will maybe let some people know about our Parlor that haven't yet heard of it ... The Harmony Parlor will always remain as it is here, Facebook is just an added fun thing to do to reach new fans and for old fans on Facebook to meet ... Click on the link below to go to it.

►THE HARMONY PARLOR A CURRENT NEWS SITE FOR ANDRÉ RIEU ON FACEBOOK

André Rieu Talks of Storming UK Pop Charts!

André Rieu The Waltz King

André Rieu talks about Storming the UK Pop Chart with an Album of Waltzes

The UK Telegraph: February 5, 2010

"You know, I think the waltz is music for eternity," says André Rieu. "Sometimes my colleagues say, 'How can you stand to play that stuff every night?" But for me it's easy, there's always something new to find in them. They are a combination of melancholy and joy ~ just like life."

"Strauss himself used different forces on tour, depending on the size of the hall. I always remember Herbert von Karajan's remark that we have a responsibility to composers to do more than obey the dots on the page. We have to make these works live."

As of today, Friday Feb. 5th, 'Forever Vienna' is now #3 on the UK Pop Charts!

Click link to read the entire article from the ►The UK Telegraph

Pre-Sale on André Rieu Toronto 2010 Tickets!

A NEW André Rieu Pre-sale Password has been added: This means that right now you can buy André Rieu tickets before anyone else! The special free pre-sale password for André Rieu's upcoming concert in Toronto unlocks tickets DAYS EARLY! This is your chance to see Andre Rieu perform. Here is the André Rieu concert information: André Rieu Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON Sat, Jun 26, 2010 8:00 PM. Next week will be Montreal and Long Island. Click on Below Links For All The Information To Buy Your Tickets Early! Type in Code: VIOLIN

►http://www.ticketmaster.ca:80/promo/vfqm2b ►http://www.tmpresale.com/2010/02/andre-rieu-in-toronto-on-presale.html