André Rieu “Next stop? The Moon!”
As André Rieu celebrates turning 70, the King of Waltz chats to us about next month’s album release, touring and the music that has a special place in his heart…
What can fans expect from your new album Happy Days? It is an album filled with festive, joyful music. I feel like the luckiest man in the world, since I’m able to make so many people happy with the music I play. Wherever we perform in the world, we get countless smiles and that gives me and my orchestra members a tremendously good feeling!
What song instantly makes you feel happy and full of joy when you hear it? There are sooo many happy, joyful songs. I love With A Little Bit Of Luck from the musical My Fair Lady; The Bare Necessities from the movie The Jungle Book and Edelweiss from The Sound Of Music… but then again, the list is endless! Did you ever imagine that you’d still be touring at 70? How do you keep your energy levels up? My grandmother reached the age of nearly 102 and my mother was 98, so becoming old runs in the family. I don’t feel like 70. I do my fitness exercises three times in a week, eat quite healthily and don’t drink any alcohol any more. I’m also lucky to be able to sleep anywhere I want – either a power nap or all night long. That keeps me running… er, waltzing!
Do you have any plans to slow down? Slow down… retire… these are not words in my dictionary! Seriously, as long as my health isn’t deteriorating, I’ll go on making music. I can’t think of any other job in the world that is as gratifying as this one. I do not work, I have fun! In 2018 we went for the first time to Colombia, Macedonia and Serbia. There are still so many countries to discover.
Where would you like to play that you haven’t had the chance to yet? I would love to perform in China, India and Greece. We’ve been to China before but not on a big tour yet. And the moon would be fun. I’ve been talking to Richard Branson and when he opens his hotel there, I want to be the first to perform!
Tell me about a piece of music that moves you… Waltzes have a special place in my heart; they contain something enchanting and magical that I’m not able to explain. Take for example Gold And Silver, an
outstanding waltz from Franz Lehar. It is both happy and sad at the same time, melancholic and so wonderful… it gives me goosebumps, tears and a smile all at the same time. Now and then, a film melody can touch my heart. When I listen to Miklos Rozsa’s Love Theme from one of my favourite movies, Ben Hur, I’m moved completely.
What’s the nicest thing a fan has ever said to you? I think it was an old man somewhere in the United States; in between two pieces, he suddenly stood in front of me, raised his head and his voice and announced, "Listen, Andre, I’m over 90 and I never danced in my whole life. But tonight, I did it and it is you who made that possible." I’ll never ever forget that wonderful What are your plans for 2020? In January there will be a cinema broadcast called André-Rieu–70 Years Young, but before that I will give, for the first time, Christmas concerts in my hometown Maastricht, which is very exciting. But the real highlight of 2020 will be our UK/Ireland Arena tour which is taking place in April and May. I’m so happy to be returning!
André Rieu's Happy Days is released on CD/DVD on November 22. 70 Years Young – the ultimate concert – is in cinemas on January 4 and 5. André’s UK and Ireland Arena tour starts April 16. Details at WWW.ANDRERIEU.COM