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opening the door for Kieffer to come home to play and teach. “It’s not often as a musician you get to work in your home town,” he says, adding he is one of four native Luxembourgers playing with the OPL. Kieffer meets Delano on a bright, sunny place de l’Europe during rehearsals. The veteran musician replies cheerfully and patiently to interview questions, his manner contrasts with the melancholic melody he has just been rehearsing. Kieffer easily switches between French and English, the latter he explains is often used in the orchestra where there are over 20 different nationalities represented. Kieffer clearly loves his job. “We always have really good conductors and this makes the whole job really fun and interesting. We are lucky compared to other jobs, like working in a factory.” But, he explains that sometimes the work can be stressful, and he often finds himself spending up to 12 hours a day rehearsing and playing. He needed to find a way to switch off from music without compromising on his need to create. The solution was clear. “I started making furniture at 15. My father was never at home, because he worked at a train station and played bass. And my mother always needed something fixed.” Kieffer’s ability to make and mend things grew into a passion for woodwork. In his late twenties he bought his first big piece of machinery and since then he has been making anything from wardrobes to delicate boxes in his home workshop. “All of the furniture in my living room and kitchen is made by me… After that, friends would say they needed something and would ask me to help.” He says he does not do it for money-indeed he never charges much for his work, usually asking just enough to cover the cost of materials and put something towards buying new machinery. Perhaps he should consider charging danger money as the hobby is not without its hazards. “I’ve had accidents. I once had to stop playing for three days when I cut my finger. I had to glue it up to be able to play again,” he recalls. “I need to be calm when I’m doing it.” October 2017
“ALL OF THE FURNITURE IN MY LIVING ROOM AND KITCHEN IS MADE BY ME.” ANDRÉ KIEFFER
ANDRÉ KIEFFER The double bass player has made anything from wardrobes to delicate boxes in his home workshop