The Genius of André Rieu

When I woke up on a Sunday morning last winter, I decided to watch Match of the Day on the TV in my bedroom. Instead of pressing 1 for BBC1, I pressed 11, to see an orchestra rehearsing and its conductor discussing what they were going to play on a tour of the USA. I was watching the Sky Arts freeview channel, and André Rieu with his amazing Johann Strauss orchestra. It was very entertaining and came as a complete surprise to me. I had heard of him years ago when he set up the orchestra. I was aware that he dressed up as Johann Strauss and played waltzes. My interest has been in more serious classical music and also in some areas of rock music. Light orchestral music did not have a great appeal for me at the time. Subsequently, I learned that he was very successful, and was apparently at one time said to be the highest-paid musician of any sort in the world. A few years ago a friend told me that she was going to Maastricht for an André concert. I was a bit surprised but thought no more about it. Since the TV broadcast last winter, I have discovered André on YouTube, his TV broadcasts no Sky Arts and his DVDs.Over the years his orchestra has grown in size and evolved. A big change was the introduction of his three brilliant tenor soloists, a series of fantastic sopranos, and a choir of professional singers. He has kept going since 1987, despite a financial crisis, a health problem, and the Covid lockdown. His concerts include classical music, songs from musicals, and some fun pop music towards the end of the show. His musical arrangements are brilliant, such as Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, and the Hallelujah Chorus. He always gets to the essence of the piece, presents it in a way that suits his players and singers, and works wonderfully in a large venue. His genius is his ability to perform music of very high quality in a way that a large audience can readily enjoy. He and his forces always engage with an audience more effectively than any other performers I have ever found. The music is never compromised, but everyone, the performers and orchestra have fun. André is a brilliant musician and violinist, and a man who really understands music and how to perform it to the best effect. But he is also a great entertainer and a bringer of joy, wherever in the world he goes. How did it take me so many years to find out that I love his music? I am now making up for lost time.

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