Vermeer´s "The Kitchen Maid" in Amsterdam´s Rijksmuseum

If you pland to visit Amsterdam in the near future, be sure to visit the famous Rijksmuseum. There is a large-scalee rebuilding going on (the entire musem will reopen in 2013), but a collection of the finest 17th century works is one view under the title "The Masterpieces".

Altoghether about 400 masterpieces are shown, but even if you would see only this painting by Johannes Vermeer, your visit would be more than worthwile:

This is part of the Rijksmuseum´s description of Vermeer´s "The Kitchen Maid":
"Intent on her task, the kitchen maid pours milk from a jug. The composition radiates a quiet calm, the only movement the flow of the milk inte the bowl. Taking an everyday subject and a simple composition, Vermeer createss a powerful painting. His work is most distinctive in the portrayal of light."

The rooftops of Amsterdam

"Amsterdam was the first centre of bourgeois capitalism. It had become, since the decline of Antwerp and the Hanseatic League, the great international port of the north and chief banking centre of Europe. Drifting through its leafy canals, lined with admirable houses, one may speculate on the economic system that produced this dignified, comortable and harmonious architecture." (Lord Kenneth Clark)

The canals and the old waterfront houses make Amsterdam a particularly appealing city. Especially the beautifully decorated rooftops are wonderful.

To illustrate what I mean, below are a few photos from my visit last week:

But, of course, it´s the canals that create the special "Amsterdam feeling"

This contemporary canalfront house is an architectural gem

The vintage canal boat Hilda is another gem

The Dutch East India Company cargo ship Amsterdam was wrecked on its maiden voyage in the English Channel in 1749. (The present ship is a replica).

Veteran ships in a nice row

In Praise of André Rieu

There was a time when I scoffed at operetta and other forms of popular classical music; only the "serious" composers, artists and orchestras mattered. But, fortunately, that was long ago. Now I feel free to enjoy both operetta, good musicals (e.g. My Fair Lady) and such great musicians as André Rieu, without forgetting the pleasure of listening to more serious forms of classical music. It is quite possible to enjoy both.

The other day I watched (on the German ZDF Theaterkanal) a wonderful concert recording with André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra performing at the "flower island" Mainau in the Bodensee (Lake Constance). It is diffucult to imagine a more scenic setting than Mainau, with its elegantly maintained flower park and the beautiful castle. Rieu, the soloists and the orchestra again did what they always seem to do so well - play light classical (and a little bit of other) music very professionally and in good spirits creating a good mood among the audience and the viewers. You can see from people´s faces that they have a really good time. There is never too much of that!

André Rieu and his orchestra have an excellent website with all necessary information about coming concerts etc. Many of the concerts are also available on dvd.