André Rieu
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About André Rieu
Even as a child, I was fascinated by the world of music. My father was a conductor, and I remember the huge orchestra and the wonderful sound it made, all those bows moving together - I thought it was fantastic. But even then I can remember being surprised at the sombre atmosphere during the concerts. Everybody looked so serious, you weren't supposed to cough or laugh, even though the music seemed to me to radiate so much joy!
You know that solemn atmosphere you find in the concert hall with classical music, and how it intimidates most people and keeps them away? With us, it is simply not there. My orchestra consists of young, enthusiastic musicians, who put their heart and soul into the music every evening when they play in our concerts. At one of our concerts you'll see me and the orchestra, and the audience too, all having a lot of fun together. Swaying with the music, humming along, clapping, jumping up and down - it all happens! Every evening is a wonderful experience, and in my view there couldn't be a greater pleasure for a musician.
When I was studying the violin at the music academy, somebody asked me to play in a salon orchestra. It was there that I played the waltz Gold und Silber by Frantz Lehar for the first time. What a revelation it was! I was immediately spellbound by that beat which, years later, has almost become the rhythm of my life: three-four time, the rhythm of the waltz. But with my own orchestra, I play a lot more than waltzes these days.
My dream is to make the whole of classical music accessible for everyone. To achieve that, I've had my own recording studio built, and we're working hard to make new recordings of the classical repertoire.
I hope I may be given many more years to make people happy with my music!
André Rieu
André Rieu walks onstage with a violin in hand and turns a formal concert into something closer to a celebration. The Dutch musician and conductor is widely known as the “Waltz King”. Born in the Netherlands, he leads the Johann Strauss Orchestra, the world's largest private orchestra.12
His programs combine classical repertoire and operetta in a format designed for large audiences.1 He presents orchestral works with large-scale staging, lighting, and movement more commonly associated with arena productions.
Find André Rieu tickets on AXS and experience his signature orchestral magic live.
André Rieu’s Background
André Rieu was born on October 1, 1949, in Maastricht, where he grew up in a musical household – his father worked as a conductor.12 He studied violin at the Conservatory of music in both Maastricht and Liege, later continuing his training at conservatories in Brussels.1
In 1987, Rieu established the Johann Strauss Orchestra, naming it after the famed Austrian composer whose waltzes inspired much of his repertoire.1 He began with 12 musicians, and expanded over time into a touring orchestra that performs worldwide.12
By placing waltz music at the center of his programs, Rieu reintroduced the Viennese waltz tradition to contemporary audiences while developing a performance style that blends classical structure with a festive stage atmosphere.1
André Rieu’s Awards
André Rieu has received international awards recognizing both global sales and cultural distinction.
- World Music Awards (1996, 1998): André Rieu received World Music Awards in 1996 and 1998 in recognition of his international sales success.3
- Classic BRIT Awards – Album of the Year (2011, 2012, 2013): Rieu won the Classic BRIT Award for Album of the Year in 2011, 2012, and 2013.3
- Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion (2002): In 2002, Rieu was appointed a Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion for his contributions to music and Dutch cultural life.3
André Rieu’s Biggest Hits
André Rieu’s most-streamed performances are proof of the global reach of his orchestral style.
- The Lonely Shepherd (2015): Composed by James Last and featuring pan-flute virtuoso Gheorghe Zamfir, this performance has surpassed 200 million views, making it Rieu’s most-watched YouTube recording.4
- The Beautiful Blue Danube (2006): Filmed outside Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, this Johann Strauss II waltz performance includes costumed dancers and grand outdoor staging and has earned more than 100 million views.4
- Ballade pour Adeline (2023): Originally composed by Paul de Senneville, this melodic instrumental showcases Rieu’s orchestra with a featured piano lead and has reached over 100 million views.4
See André Rieu Live
André Rieu’s shows incorporate elaborate staging, soloists, dance elements, and structured audience participation.5
Get your André Rieu tickets at AXS and witness his orchestra bring waltzes and classical favorites to life.