New Maastricht Salon Orchestra

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New Maastricht Salon orchestra September 5th, 2016

Five members of the New Maastricht Salon Orchestra: Frank Steijns, (piano) Roland Lafosse, (double Bass) Cort Meyer, (violin) Tanja Derwahl, (cello) Gosia Loboda (first violin).

Revival of the Maastricht Salon Orchestra. Traditionally the city of Maastricht opens the new Cultural Season in September. This year for the 12th time in a row. Today, under the watchful eye of the founder of the former MSO, the NEW Salon Orchestra rehearsed at the André Rieu Studios. The new MSO will perform for the first time on Sunday 11, during the closing festivities (of the openings ceremony) at the Maastricht Historic Inner Harbor ‘t Bassin. Gemma Serpenti and André Rieu founded the Maastricht Salon Orchestra in 1978. This was also the year when André’s first son Marc was born and André played as a violinist in the Limburg Symphony Orchestra, led by his father, André Sr. André Jr established the musical ensemble at first with 5 members and they toured Holland, Belgium, Germany and even the USA. Their first LP record was “Rendez-Vous” released in 1982. Jean Sassen (double bass) has been a member of the MSO since its inception. In 1987 André changed the MSO into the Johann Strauss Orchestra with at that time 12 members, to continue with waltz music. Jean Sassen remained a member of the Johann Strauss Orchestra until now. Watch the video below for the rehearsal and the interview with André.

Below: The former Maastrichts Salon Orkest: 1978 - 1987. André Rieu (first violin), Gemma Serpenti (cello), Frans Vermeulen (violin), Jean Sassen (double bass), Paul Coenjaarts / Thieu Heyltjes (piano).

André Rieu in 1978.

Jean Sassen in 1978.

September 12, 2016. Facebook by Agnes Fizzano-Walter: “I've always felt blessed and so happy with my colleagues in the JSO and André Rieu and I am so grateful for knowing, working and enjoying life with them, for sure! But today, at the closing event for the Het Parcours Opening Cultureel Seizoen Maastricht I've never felt prouder than to see my colleagues and so lovely friends entertaining Maastricht in such a delight, including me, feeling like their biggest fan for so many reasons!!! Thank you and congratulations to the "New Maastricht Salon Orkest"! Gosia Loboda, Frank Steijns, Cord Meyer, Tanja Derwahl, Roland Lafosse !!!! It was just wonderful and inspirational!!!! Continue please!!!!”

Photo credits: Agnes Fizzano, Lidia Surówka, Martijn Volleberg, Jean-Pierre Geusens.

To read an article from the Limburg newspaper, click HERE to go to the Harmony Parlor. Translated by John.