André Rieu

André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu (, ; born 1 October 1949) is a Dutch violinist and conductor best known as the founder of the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra.

Rieu and his orchestra tour worldwide, often playing in stadiums. He resides in his native Maastricht, where he also regularly performs at the Vrijthof.

Early life and education The name Rieu is of French Huguenot origin, though both of Rieu's parents were Catholic. André was born to Andries Antonie Rieu and is the third of six children.

Rieu's father was conductor of the Maastricht Symphony Orchestra. Showing early promise, André began studying violin at the age of five. From a very early age, he developed a fascination with orchestra, although he found his parents strict and moved away from his father's musical style in adulthood. He studied violin at the Conservatoire Royal in Liège and at the Conservatorium Maastricht, (1968–1973), studying under Jo Juda and Herman Krebbers.

From 1974 to 1977, he attended the Music Academy in Brussels, studying with André Gertler. He completed his training with the distinction "Premier Prix" from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels.

Personal life He married Marjorie Kochmann in 1975. She has been a language teacher and has written compositions. They have two sons, including Pierre, a producer who frequently works with the Johann Strauss Orchestra.

He speaks five languages: Dutch, English, German, French and Spanish. As of 2020, he performs with between 50 and 60 musicians. Rieu plays a 1667 Stradivarius violin. + Recent world tour results in Billboard / Pollstar annual worldwide top tours lists

Rieu also composed music for the 2014 film Tuscan Wedding.

Reception

Australia Australia has one of Rieu's largest fanbases. Chris Boyd, a critic writing for Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper, did not criticize his playing, but described Rieu's main stage function as "blarney and delegation".

Eamon Kelly wrote in The Australian newspaper: "It is disappointing to see professional journalists indulging in cheap, inaccurate stereotypes to dismiss criticism of Rieu." He also wrote: "Equally misguided are those who cursorily dismiss Rieu. Rieu's live and recorded performances have brought joy to millions of people. Few in his audiences are regular classical music attendees and it could be seen as promising that, via Rieu, they are listening to standards of the classical canon. The fact that Rieu's focus is on highly accessible, enjoyable repertoire is not an argument against his musical credentials." and by May 2011, Rieu had sold over $50 million worth of wholesale shipments of his CDs and DVDs in Australia and was the highest-selling music artist in the Australian market between 2006 and 2011.

United Kingdom Tom Service, reviewing a film of one of Rieu's Maastricht concerts (the highest-grossing concert film in British history upon the article's publication in 2015) in The Guardian, described the performance as the "very acme of commodified classical music", saying that Rieu turned "unsuspecting masterpieces" into "saccharine fodder". Also in The Guardian, in an interview with Rieu, Alfred Hickling stated that Rieu's critics were "missing the point", comparing Rieu's showmanship and business acumen to that of Johann Strauss II.

United States Nina Siegal, for the New York Times, described Rieu as a "maestro for the masses, if not the critics", comparing him to Liberace while noting that his fame in the US had not reached the levels it has in Europe, Australia, and Brazil. In an email interview with Siegal, Rieu remarked that he saw frequent criticism of his act as "schmaltzy" as a compliment: "I’m trying to create a ‘Gesamtkunstwerk’ where music, décor and costumes all add up to a magical evening."

Honours

Selected discography Albums + List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications NLD AUS GER SWI UK Serenata (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) Released: 1984 Label: Philips (412 322–1) - - - - - - La Belle Epoque (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) Released: 1985 Label: Philips (824 717-1) - - - - - - Eine Kleine Salonmusik (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) Released: 1987 Label: Philips (830 971–1) - - - - - - Hieringe Biete (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) Released: 1989 Label: Marlstone Recordings BV (098904) 22 - - - - - Strauß Gala/ Strauss Gala (with Johann Strauss Orchestra) Released: 1989 Label: Marlstone Recordings BV (098917) 9 - - - - - Preuvenemint / Vrijthofconcert (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) Released: 1991 Label: Mirasound (299079) 71 - - - - - D'n Blauwen Aovond (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) Released: 1992 Label: CNR Records (100.385-2) 16 - - - - - Merry Christmas Released: 1992 Label: CNR Records (100.396-2) 34 - - - - - NVPI: Gold NVPI: 7× Platinum Hieringe Biete 1 & 2 (with Maastricht Salon Orchestra) Released: December 1994 Label: 7 - - - - - Vienesse Blend Released: September 1995 Label: - - - - - - NVPI: 2× Platinum BVMI: Platinum Musik Zum Träumen / Dromen / Dreaming Released: October 2001 Label: Polydor (589 306–2) 8 - 7 25 13 - BVMI: Platinum Waltzing in Europe Released: April 2012 Label: Motif (MOTIF2005) - - - - - 63 December Lights / Joyeux Noël Released: December 2012 Label: Universal Music (0602537123292) 24 - - - - 53 BPI: Silver BPI: Gold BPI: Platinum Ich tanze mit dir in den Himmel hinein / Dancing Through the Skies Released: February 2009 Label: Universal Music DVD ARIA: 2× Platinum BPI: Platinum Roses from the South - Live in Dublin Released: November 2010 Label: Universal Music DVD (0602527543253) ARIA: 2× Platinum BPI: Platinum BPI: Gold Home for Christmas (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) Released: December 2012 Label: Universal Music DVD (0602537123339) ARIA: 2× Platinum Magic of the Violin (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) Released: 2015 Label: Universal Music DVD (0602547258212) ARIA: Gold Wonderful World - Live in Maastricht (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) Released: 2015 Label: Universal Music DVD (0602547472250) BPI: Gold Magic of the Waltz (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) Released: 2016 Label: Universal Music DVD (0602547647805) Falling in Love in Maastricht (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) Released: 2016 Label: Universal Music DVD (0602557149098) Christmas in London (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) Released: 2016 Label: Universal Music DVD (0602557179613) BPI: Gold Christmas Down Under: Live from Sydney (with His Johan Strauss Orchestra & Choir) Released: 2019 (US) Label: Decca (5487884)