For the 40th anniversary party of Rowwen Hèze, André Rieu supplemented his Maastricht Salon Orchestra quintet (cellist Tanja Derwahl, double bassist Camila Langue Cipoletta, pianist Frank Steijns, and violinists Justinas Kaunas and Gosia Loboda), with accordionist Leon van Wijk, clarinetist Manoe Konings, percussionist Colin Falize, saxophonist Sanne Mestrom, and trumpet players Roger Diederen and René Henket. Nine lady members of the JSO performed the special version of "Klompendans" ("Clog Dance"): harpist Vera Kool; mezzo-sopranos Madieke Marjon Schoots and Kalki Schrijvers; pianist Martine Wijers; violinists Violeta Adamova, Karina Carley, and Serena Vanheuverswijn; and violists Linda Custers and Gohar Mkhitaryan.

Source: The Limburger, by Ronald Colée, September 23, 2025. Translated by Diana D. Le. André Rieu introduced Rowwen Hèze to the audience as band members entered the venue for their 40th anniversary party at the TheaterHotel “De Oranjerie” in Roermond, Netherlands, on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. After eighteen years, the roles have been reversed: André Rieu is special guest at Rowwen Hèze! The birthday party in the Orangery could not have started better for the men of Rowwen Hèze. André Rieu and his extended Salon Orchestra treated “the six of De Peel” to a serenade. Now that's entrance music: "Einzug der Gladiatoren" ("Entry of the Gladiators") by Czech composer Julius Fučík, the march with which André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra make their entrance all over the world, resounds this evening in a sold-out Oranjerie for Jack Poels, Tren van Enckevort, Martîn Rongen, Theo Joosten, Jack Haegens, and Wladimir Geels. The men, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary as Rowwen Hèze this year, are treated to a birthday party full of special guests by De Limburger and L1 this evening. Return favor For this occasion, the Maastricht orchestra conductor has supplemented his Salon Orchestra quintet with an accordionist, clarinetist, saxophonist, two trumpeters, and a percussionist, thereby returning a favor to the sextet from De Peel (area in northern Limburg). Eighteen years ago, the North Limburgers were special guests at Rieu's Vrijthof concerts. One evening to be precise, Saturday evening, July 7, 2007, because Jack Poels had tied the knot the day before, so Vicky Leandros had to do the honors that first evening. Three songs the band was then allowed to play with Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra after midnight: "Bestel mar" (let’s order (beer)), "Limburg" (It's a matter of patience until all of Holland speaks the Limburg dialect) and "Lied vur Limburg" (song for Limburg). Now it is the Maastricht conductor/violinist who, after "Entry of the Gladiators", performs three more songs with his Salon Orchestra. With "Limburg" and "Bestel mar" (Let’s order), he partly opts for a repeat of 2007. However, Rieu wouldn't be Rieu if he didn't pull something extra out of his hat. So he introduces "Limburg" with "Het kleine café aan de haven" ("Red Rose Café) and — between "Limburg" and "Bestel mar" — nine female members of the Johann Strauss Orchestra appear on stage in Volendam traditional dress to perform a special version of "Klompendans" ("Clog Dance"). A special musical greeting. That promises something for the rest of the evening!

Photos from the Vrijthof concert in 2007.

This evening was a tribute to the Limburg dialect band Rowwen Hèze, celebrating its 40th anniversary, organized by "De Limburger" (local newspaper) and L1 (Limburg broadcaster), featuring various Limburg guests, including André Rieu with an expanded Maastricht Salon Orchestra for the occasion. The band Rowwen Hèze was founded in 1975, consisting of six members, who have been together since then (with only one change in 2013). They are known for their own repertoire of original songs in the Limburg dialect. On this festive day, all band members received a royal decoration (except for the band's leader, who had already received one several years earlier). On behalf of Emile Roemer, King's Commissioner in Limburg, the mayors of their respective cities presented the decorations. The band members are praised for the variety of musical styles in their own work. Their repertoire ranges from party songs to heartfelt ballads. Their fans were asked to submit a list of 10 favorite songs, which the band would perform on stage. The members were surprised that so many ballads were chosen. We recorded the concert, and Ruud has captured the highlights in the video below.

Duration: 77 minutes