Andre Rieu The Success Story Nobody Wanted
Dutch violinist and conductor Andre Rieu says it's taken decades for the music industry to take him seriously.
Rieu today inspected Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium ahead of a concert tour of Australia later this year.
The musician's DVDs featuring spectacular shows involving his 50-member Johann Strauss Orchestra, ice rinks, fountains, ballet dancers and a reproduction of Vienna's Schonbrunn Palace achieved unprecedented success in Australia last year, comprising 48 per cent of all DVDs sold nationally.
But he said his success was "not so amazing".
"Thirty years ago nobody wanted to make a record (with me)," Rieu told Fairfax Radio.
"(The record companies said) what are you playing? Waltzes? Are you crazy? Go back to your grandmother and play for her, because we doing serious stuff here like heavy metal and pop.
"And that went on for seven years.
"But I said, 'Please come and listen when I do a concert and you will see what happens in my audience'.
"And then one guy came and the next morning he called me and said we are going to make a record, and that year we sold 850,000 records in Holland alone."
Rieu said he had a simple recipe.
"So many people out there are longing for good music that makes them happy and that's what I want to give them," he said.
The Australian tour - A Romantic Night in Vienna - will include the castle, two ice rinks, two fountains, the orchestra, Viennese ballet dancers and ice skaters and horse-drawn carriages, as well as solo performances by Rieu.
Rieu travels with a crew of 350 stage builders and staff, as well as 250 performers.
The tour is scheduled to open in Melbourne on November 13, 14 & 15, followed by shows in Adelaide on November 18 & 19, Perth on November 22, Sydney on November 27, 28, 29 and Brisbane on December 3 & 4.
AAP
How fortunate we all are that André Rieu stayed true to himself and followed his dream. He knew the world was ready for his Beautiful Music. And we Fans know we waited all too long. Now you, as I, collect everything André Rieu we can. We simply cannot get enough. Thankful we are to Andre, his family, his JSO & all of the Crew for sharing themselves and their talents.
The world is a better place with all of us together.
What a chance of a life time for all the
thousands and thousands etc to be fortunate to see what Andre, JSO, crew members and whom ever Andre also brings along to all our Aussie friends. You will see first hand what quality music
and so very much more what this outstanding, persistent person in his belief of himself and all that travel and perform with him. I need not to go on to tell you of this once in a life time genuine "Super Star's" ability to make music you will carry in your hearts forever. He is contagious and you
will have him in your hearts and souls
everywhere you go. The first time I saw
a PBS Concert, I was terminally infected
with everything about the Concerts that
Andre delivers. The pictures that were
taken in your country are very beautiful
which will make for some unbelievabley
wonderful scenery for Andre Rieu and the
JSO Orchestra. I wish each person that
attends these Concerts a Fantastic and
Wonderful Memory to Remember forever.
An André Rieu Fan from the USA. Thrills,
chills, smiles, hugs and love to all.
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I was also grasped the first time I saw it on PBS. Live in Tuscany was fantastic. I bought the DVD immediately as a gift to my mother for her birthday. Such a joy to see so many people enjoy and sharing a good time. On these days when every one has their own iPods, earphones and enjoys their own little world, it is rare to share. And the scenography and the light mood helps. The one mentioned above and Memories from New York are my favourites.
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Something you touch on is the fact that Andre Rieu’s music is shared across generations. I took my youngest daughter to see Andre in Dallas. While it’s not the type of music she would have on her iPod every day, she liked it and had fun with the group with whom we sat. She enjoys watching the DVDs with me too.
I’ve seen young children get out to the aisles and dance while Andre & his JSO are playing. They just let go and move to the music.
There are many like myself who can listen to Andre Rieu, Vince Gill, Ricky Nelson, (a Hello Shout Out to James Burton, guitarist who cut the edge of Rock & Roll), Pink Floyd and Jerry Lynn Williams. I enjoy a wide variety of music, but must say, Andre’s at the top of my playlist each and every day. J
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You are so right, Sally. My two daughters, both in their 20's, took me to see Andre's concert in Oakland last December. They enjoyed the concert immensely and were the first ones to stand and cheer when 76 Trombones started to play. The older one snatched my Waltzing Matilda CD when it arrived and had it downloaded on her iPod before I even had a chance to listen to it! Andre doesn't just appeal to seniors...he brings happiness to all ages.
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Sally and Judith, you have said it all.
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Dear Andre, the JSO & crew. Hope you enjoyed the few days off, before you're back on the travel mode yet again. It's nice to spend time with Marjorie & the family without the hustle & bustle of a tour, but I expect you were still busy with the cd & dvd productions, so it is not a total rest time. I will welcome you & yours back to the travels etc. which is on-going even when you have time to be at home. Hope you caught up on your sleep-time Love to all Marianne
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Dear Andre,
Thank you for pursuing your dreams and taking the world by storm. You are the greatest. The world needs more of you and your music then every before. THANK YOU.
TCGB See you at the concerts.
Love, Joan
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Hi Joan: I agree. Thank goodness Andre followed his own dream. I think that is the difference we are seeing between Andre and some of our 'stars' of today. Today they are manufactured, and golly they look and sound it. Too homogenized. Not our Andre. He is his own man, and makes each piece of music he plays, his own.
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