kultura / culture 34 | Intervju » Interview V i ol i n i st Andr é R i ou i n B e lgr ade The king of thewaltz is coming, so get ready to dance We’ll enjoy his music at Belgrade’s Štark Arena on 24th November, and he promises it will be a phenomenal evening of Strauss waltzes and famous opera arias It is an unbelievable factthathestagesalmost 100 concerts per year. He turns every concert into a spectacle of tones, colours, dance, smiles and love. He is Dutchman André Rieu, and his Johann Strauss Orchestra boasts as many as 60members. He has been brightening up people's liveswithhismusic and energy for thepast30years, andduring that time has won more than 500 world-renownedmusic awards–not only in recognition of his talent for the violin and conducting, but rather his entire life’s work. We’ll enjoy his music at Belgrade’s Štark Arena on24th November, andhe promises it will be anunforgettable evening... - We will present many beautiful melodies, wonderful waltzes and famous arias from musicals and operas. I will bringwithme tenors, as well as several celebrated sopranos. I canhardlywait to perform in Belgrade, says Riou. Have you previously had an opportunity to enjoy some Serbian music? -Mywife,Marjorie, is apassionate folk dancer. She’s been dealing with that for more than 30 years and it is thanks to her that I know a lot about dances from all over the world. She recently told me about your kolo [traditional Serbian circle dance] and I was also delighted when I saw it. It is very pretty! It is rumoured that you have unusual ambitions, such as performing on the Moon? :-) - I hold around 100 concerts annually on all continents, and I’d like to be the world’s first artist to performon theMoon or the North Pole, which would be a great challenge! Why on the Moon? Because youwon’t be able to see any borders, and that’s what music is: a way to unifypeople.That somehowalready happensatmyconcerts–peoplewho don’t know one another at the beginning of the concert start dancing together, exchange telephone numbers and become friends! You've shared the stage with many fantastically talented people, but is there still some star of music with whom you’d like to be able to perform? - Yes, there is one pop star with whom I’d love to share the stage: Bruce Springsteen! We are around the same age, but I envy his energy... He really knows how to entertain his audience and keep themon their feet throughout the entire concert. I've spent years listening to his hits Dancing InThe Dark and Born InThe USA. If we were on stage together, thatwouldbe another dream come true! And who would you single out when it comes to classical music? - The man after whom I named myorchestra is amanand composer I respect deeply: JohannStrauss.He was the real King of theWaltz, who composed somany beautiful melodies andwas able to enchant his audience every evening. Among contemporarymusicians that isGustavo Dudamel, who is capable of gathering together young people andplayingwonderfulmusicwith them. His concerts are a festive holiday for all the senses. Although you travel a lot, you would never abandon your hometown... - It was 73 years ago that I was born in the oldest city in the Netherlands, Maastricht. I have never abandoned it and it’s there that I will spend the rest of my life. When I'm at home, I like to read a good book or make cakes and cookies. I walk with my wife and dogs, solve sudoku puzzles and, perhaps most importantly, spend time with my grandchildren. I am a proud grandfather of five grandchildren... What’s the first thing you always check out in a new city? - I travel a lot and actually don’t have much time to discover new cities. Given that I was raised in a Catholic family, I love to see churches, andstained-glasswindows inparticular attract my attention. I often look tothefloorwhenthe sunshines through thosewindows andfills the floor with hundreds of colours. What are your future plans? I’mhonouredand satisfiedwith the fact that I can delight so many people with the music that I play. I hope to be able to continue to do this for many more years and that healthwill not be a problemforme. I plan to live to 140 and I'm73 now. So, I'monly halfway there [laughs]! Dobio sammogućnost da radim ono što najviše volim – da radujem ljudemuzikomkoju biram srcem I gained the possibility to do what I love the most: to bring people joy with music that I choose frommy heart
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