Dear Andre,
I read yesterday that you are copping some flack from a German baritone, Thomas Quasthoff by name, for playing your very valuable Stradivarius violin at your concerts. He is of the opinion that Senor Stradivari 'would be spinning in his grave', and you should play on a cheaper violin.
Now, several things come to mind in relation to this, it is nobody's business but yours what violin you play, so long as it produces the sound you require and like. if you got the required sound from a plastic one, it is still only your business. Because I think you play the Stradivarius so brilliantly, you could probably obtain a reasonable sound from a plastic one!
You have worked so hard to be where you are today, you deserve to play on the best one you can afford. Stradivari or any other brand, no-one has the right to dictate to you on anything pertaining to your instrument?
I think Herr Quasthoff should stick to what he knows and does best, and let you do likewise.
I would just like to say I have recently finished reading, Andre Rieu, My Music, My Life. How it all began. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is beautifully written and a very easy read. It is informative and entertaining. I felt as though you and Marjorie were sitting next to me and telling me all about your trials, etc, as friends do over coffee or such. Thank you both very much.
I would like to wish you all the best for your upcoming tour of Australia, and if there are DVDs you can bet your bottom dollar I will buy them!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Letter to Andre Rieu VI
Dear Andre,
Well, I guess you are in full swing getting ready for your concerts in OZ.
I hope you had a very happy birthday recently, and were able to spend it with your family.
I was horrified to be informed today, that you no longer shake hands with your fans as one got too enthusiastic and caused tendon strain in your hand. You have got to wonder about the intelligence and thoughtfulness of some people. I know it is one of the hazards of fame, but, really!
You would think that as you make your living with your hands, if they are damaged it throws all your schedules out of kilter. Not to mention the frustration, pain and inconvenience. I do not shake hands anymore either, but that is because I have Arthritis and I have also found people don't stop and think.
I hope all goes well Down Under. Best wishes to you all, and Marjorie.
With affection,
Susan
Well, I guess you are in full swing getting ready for your concerts in OZ.
I hope you had a very happy birthday recently, and were able to spend it with your family.
I was horrified to be informed today, that you no longer shake hands with your fans as one got too enthusiastic and caused tendon strain in your hand. You have got to wonder about the intelligence and thoughtfulness of some people. I know it is one of the hazards of fame, but, really!
You would think that as you make your living with your hands, if they are damaged it throws all your schedules out of kilter. Not to mention the frustration, pain and inconvenience. I do not shake hands anymore either, but that is because I have Arthritis and I have also found people don't stop and think.
I hope all goes well Down Under. Best wishes to you all, and Marjorie.
With affection,
Susan
Thursday, October 02, 2008
'nother one!
Senior moment that is. Yesterday, I was waiting for the delivery of a door, and, as I had no idea when it would come, I postponed having my breakfast. I HATE soggy cereal.
I was obviously distracted by something, because, when I was making myself a coffee later in the morning, I could not find the milk. I knew the carton was nearly full, and there was no evidence of it being put out to be recycled. I hunted high and low. Nothing.
Then it struck me, I might have put it in the pantry instead of the cereal. Voila! There it was.
Oldtimers has struck again.
I was obviously distracted by something, because, when I was making myself a coffee later in the morning, I could not find the milk. I knew the carton was nearly full, and there was no evidence of it being put out to be recycled. I hunted high and low. Nothing.
Then it struck me, I might have put it in the pantry instead of the cereal. Voila! There it was.
Oldtimers has struck again.
Some People!!
This week we traveled to Adelaide to buy a new security screen door. We had seen an advert in the TV guide, and I checked it out on the Net. They are very cunning, as there are no prices on their web page. We finally found the store, and went in to ascertain prices. We saw one door which looked very nice. Just plain steel mesh and no filagree steel at all. We were thunderstruck when the sales assistant told us it would cost, wait for it, over $800.00!! She also offered to send one of the reps to do a measure and quote. I told her that would not be possible as we are from the country. I galls me that city people never consider that we rustics do go to the city on occasion to buy things. Not everybody they serve lives in the city.
We asked about other doors and were equally horrified by the prices. These doors are made on the premises too. The sales assistant told us the same doors would cost as much at Bunnings, ( major hardware chain) so, we decided to test that theory.
We drove halfway across the city to Bunnings and were pleasantly surprised to find a screen door that is also a security door, for just under $130.00
So much for her scare tactics.
There was a dearth of staff at Bunnings and it took a while to get served. I stood at the Trade desk for at least five minutes, with people serving and doing work on computers in front of me, before one of them decided to ask me if I was being served. That galls me too, when it is patently obvious I am not.I wished to find out how much it would cost to have the door delivered before we bought it.This took many phone calls before we were quoted a price.
Finally, a nice chap came and saw to our needs, re the door. Then we had to buy it and get the paper work done for the delivery. We were told that it could be delivered that day. I said no, we would not be home till late that night, so it was arranged for Tuesday.
Tuesday morning, just before lunch, there was no sign of it, so I rang the courier company.
The woman I spoke to sounded as though she would prefer to be anywhere but at work, as she gave the distinct impression life was too hard and everybody but her, is a moron.
She told me in a very pained voice, "I told that stupid girl, the door would be picked up Tuesday, and delivered Wednesday." She said I had better ring the chap who handles the deliveries this end. I asked for his phone number, and that was a huge effort for her too.
The thing that gets me is, we are supposed to be mind readers, and because we are not, some of these people think we are Hay Seeds, and not worthy of their time and expertise.If everything is such an effort for her, why doesn't she get an easier job? For instance, a millionaire's wife and she would have servants to do everything for her.
The door was duly delivered Wednesday and $20.00 less than we were quoted. Nice!
We asked about other doors and were equally horrified by the prices. These doors are made on the premises too. The sales assistant told us the same doors would cost as much at Bunnings, ( major hardware chain) so, we decided to test that theory.
We drove halfway across the city to Bunnings and were pleasantly surprised to find a screen door that is also a security door, for just under $130.00
So much for her scare tactics.
There was a dearth of staff at Bunnings and it took a while to get served. I stood at the Trade desk for at least five minutes, with people serving and doing work on computers in front of me, before one of them decided to ask me if I was being served. That galls me too, when it is patently obvious I am not.I wished to find out how much it would cost to have the door delivered before we bought it.This took many phone calls before we were quoted a price.
Finally, a nice chap came and saw to our needs, re the door. Then we had to buy it and get the paper work done for the delivery. We were told that it could be delivered that day. I said no, we would not be home till late that night, so it was arranged for Tuesday.
Tuesday morning, just before lunch, there was no sign of it, so I rang the courier company.
The woman I spoke to sounded as though she would prefer to be anywhere but at work, as she gave the distinct impression life was too hard and everybody but her, is a moron.
She told me in a very pained voice, "I told that stupid girl, the door would be picked up Tuesday, and delivered Wednesday." She said I had better ring the chap who handles the deliveries this end. I asked for his phone number, and that was a huge effort for her too.
The thing that gets me is, we are supposed to be mind readers, and because we are not, some of these people think we are Hay Seeds, and not worthy of their time and expertise.If everything is such an effort for her, why doesn't she get an easier job? For instance, a millionaire's wife and she would have servants to do everything for her.
The door was duly delivered Wednesday and $20.00 less than we were quoted. Nice!
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