USA: DUTCH VIOLINIST ANDRE RIEU RELEASES C.D OF "100 YEARS OF STRAUSS" CLASSICAL WALTZ MUSIC

Record ID: 389580

  • Title: USA: DUTCH VIOLINIST ANDRE RIEU RELEASES C.D OF "100 YEARS OF STRAUSS" CLASSICAL WALTZ MUSIC
  • Date: 6th March 2000
  • Summary: NEW YORK CITY, USA (MARCH 6, 2000) (REUTERS-ACCESS ALL) RIEU PERFORMING SOLO IN HIS HOTEL SUITE FROM PROKOVIEV ROMEO AND JULIET
  • Embargoed: 21st March 2000 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NEW YORK CITY, USA AND VARIOUS LOCATIONS
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Communications,Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVABAZQJA3LGY5DHXITO6WWFLVAI
  • Story Text: Dutch violinist Andre Rieu is known as the "Waltz King." He claims the media gave him the title, but he lives up to the image.
    Andre Rieu is the conductor, violinist, and master of ceremonies for his 30-member Johann Strauss Orchestra.He turns his back to the orchestra and face to his fans, who go wild as he plays his violin.Most likely, he's playing a Waltz, but he claims that he is more diversified.
    "First of all," he told Reuters TV, "I don't play only the waltz." He says the media named him 'The Waltz King.' and that he plays a lot of different classical music.But he likes waltzes.
    "The one-two-three rhythm is a rhythm that's not played very often.When I'm playing in the hall, I see the audience in front of me.I play a waltz, and then suddenly I see the whole public starts to move," he said.A few people refuse to join in, and that is a shame, according to Rieu."I don't know, they don't want to give themselves to the waltz...You have to give yourself to it.If you don't do that, then it's awful."
    Rieu is from Maastricht, Holland, and since 1988 he has been travelling Europe and the United States entertaining big audiences with waltzes and light classical fare.He interviewed with Reuters TV on a visit to New York City, and offered a solo rendering of a favorite waltz in the hotel suite.He played on his recently acquired 17th century Stradivarius, an instrument he treasures.
    He feels a responsibility to his audience.He respects their savvy, saying they know when you are sleeping on stage, and when you are really there."They pay for it.The like it.They come out of their homes and do 200 miles to be there to have an experience.And that's nice.Otherwise you can stay home and put on a CD."
    Rieu has a new CD called "100 Years of Strauss," and he is performing across Europe and in the United States this spring.
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