Sky Arts - André Rieu fortnight

[Barbirollians]

Might it be sensible to merge these two threads - namely this one and http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...highlight=arts

[Mr Pee]

Might it be sensible to merge these two threads - namely this one and http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...highlight=arts

Yes, I thought of adding the link to that thread, but I thought the article was such a giggle it warranted a thread on its own.

If FF feels the thread would be better merged together, that's fine my me!

(Edit:- In the time it took me to type the above and hit the enter button, the threads had been merged! Quick work!)

[french frank]

Might it be sensible to merge these two threads - namely this one and http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...highlight=arts

I have merged them under the original title, but retained the Performance board (rather than General Arts).

It would appear some of the earlier comments here would give the newspaper comments a run for their money ...

[Ed: Changed the title to reflect the subject matter - hope no complaints -ff]

[BBMmk2]

Three weeks of Andre Rieu concerts. I'm thinking of asking Sky Arts for a refund on my subscription.

We moan aboiut Radio 3 scheduling sometimes!?!?!?

[DavidP]

Best not to read the comments below the well deserved rant.

I read them - to my cost! Here's a more balanced (pro- and anti-) thread.

http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2013/02/dont-switch-on-there-only-one-kind-of-music-for-the-next-two-weeks.html

Mind you, if you think some of the arguments on here can be vituperative try these for size! I was particularly interested in comments from a "Myra from Holland" who knows some of the musicians who play for Rieu. Apparently they get the sack if they "don’t smile for at least 80% of the show, after 2 warnings." Rieu has also admitted to simplifying the original arrangements a lot because "his audience isn’t intelligent enough to appreciate the original music". Which just goes to show how "snobbish" and "elitist" these anti-elitists are (Something I've always suspected.)

[Suffolkcoastal]

Well that would at least explain those irritating false cheesy smiles.

[Beef Oven]

Well that would at least explain those irritating false cheesy smiles.

Yeah, he couldn't even muster a genuine cheesy smile

[John Wright]

It would be excellent if some of those ex-Rieu musicians exposed the 'Rieu regime', there must be some very harsh rules being applied, as noted above the smiling being Rule No.1 , there's also clearly other rules particularly for the wind players to 'lark about'. I'm really suspicious though, with all that larking about and smiling, and the big dresses, the musicians never play a bum note

Very critical we are, but acknowledgement should be given for the football-stadium-size attendances. Even a Sydney stadium looked packed to something like 50,000. Astonishing.

[Barbirollians]

Apparently , the women are chosen on looks as much as musical talent and if they object to wearing those dresses out of The Slipper and the Rose they are not employed .

Just look at the glazed eyes of the audiences - it is like some mind control story from Dr Who !!!

[Stanfordian]

Does Andre Rieu wear a wig or hair piece? It's really all about presentation with Rieu. I can bear ten minutes or so of his concerts before the chocolate box presentation gets too syrupy sweet for me. But I take my hat off to his great success at entertaining his audiances with feel good music, his sheer hard work and wonderful marketing skills. I remember when Herbert von Karajan was producing films of his orchestra's studio performances. I was told that he insisted that player's were clean shaven and bald men had to wear toupees, and Karajan insisted that only his best profile was filmed.

[Richard Tarleton]

A gem from Vol 3 of Alan Walker's biog of Liszt, which has been a riveting read from the start:

Liszt arrived in Rome in 1861 for his wedding with Princess Carolyne, which of course did not take place, but settled in Rome anyway. There was no musical life to speak of in Rome outside the Vatican.

It is an indication of the poor taste which prevailed in Rome at this time that one of the biggest draws in the 1860s was an Irish violinist who billed himself as "Paganini redivivo" and gave a recital in a small downtown theatre every night. He appeared out of a cloud of steam, played the solo caprices of Paganini while bathed in garish spotlights, and then, enveloped once more in steam, sank beneath the stage.

Sounds strangely familiar .

[gradus]

What odds on a Rieu conducted New Year's Day concert in the next 10 years?

[french frank]

What odds on a Rieu conducted New Year's Day concert in the next 10 years?

gradus! Get thee hence! Actually, it illustrates what we're up against: the section of the public that appreciates Rieu and would prefer him to, say, a Willy Boskovsky.

But he has his own orchestra: would the VPO invite him?

[Pabmusic]

Have you noticed how one can't pronounce his name properly without sounding like a cat bringing up a fur ball?

[amateur51]

gradus! Get thee hence! Actually, it illustrates what we're up against: the section of the public that appreciates Rieu and would prefer him to, say, a Willy Boskovsky.

But he has his own orchestra: would the VPO invite him?

Not if there are women in said orchestra they wouldn't