andre rieu

[pianistimo]

he has a website, of which i didn't know about - but was disappointed that i would have to subscribe to get a personal e-mail.   www.andrerieu.com   well, at least it's good listening!

didn't know his father was a conductor.  does anyone else love andre rieu? 

[thalbergmad]

does anyone else love andre rieu? 

NO

[pianistimo]

that is because you are a self professed quark brain.

[thalbergmad]

that is because you are a self professed quark brain.

True, i am not one of the chosen few, therefore i must be.

Thal

[prometheus]

He is famous in my country.

[pianistimo]

he's cool.  therefore austria is cool.  the netherlands.  and maastrich.  does he live in one place?

[timothy42b]

His music is a little on the light and commercial side.  He does not generally program deeply profound classical music, it's more of a pops approach. 

However, he pleases the crowds, and looks like he is really enjoying what he's doing on stage.  There's something to be said for that.

And, of course, most of his musicians are attractive women in gorgeous gowns.  Where does he find them?   

[phil13]

Ugh.

Let's put it this way...

Rieu brings classical music back to the masses by butchering it.

Phil

[arensky]

andre rieu 

Barf 

[pianistimo]

you did not say why you barf when listening to andre rieu.  is it timothy42b's assessment. or is it phil13's.  complete butchering? 

now, i would agree that tonight when i listened to 'danzas de argonaise' with church bells - i was not exactly humming along.  in fact, i was just watching out of boredom.  but, the church bell ringer (carillion?) was kind of a funny kid who did know how to bring some life into church bell ringing.  and, i had not seen the inside of the cathedral before.

i think what i like about andre rieu is that he is open to all kinds of music and although he may be best at strauss waltzes, he doesn't limit himself and tends to find music to please everyone in the audience.  also, i like his enthusiasm.  for a performer, you can see how far it can rub off.  many times by the end of his concerts, people are fully relaxed and really just enjoying the music.  it is a sort of 'pops concert.'  there's no restriction on eating or drinking at the same time. 

now, who can say they've given a piano recital and have people fully enjoying themselves up to intermission and beyond?  it's 1/2 stage presence and 1/2 music, imo.  you have to tell some things about the music you are playing to make it more interesting.  andre rieu does have a good knowledge of music history, music anekdotes, and foreign language skills.  he's an all around conductor and violinist.  not many like him.

ok.  enough said of why i like him.  that's all folks.  well, one last thing.  i think for women - he understands the idea of 'setting' and 'dress.'  for a concert, it's so nice to see a standard of dress.  it is beautiful to see as well as hear his concerts. 

[arensky]

you did not say why you barf when listening to andre rieu. 

I find the whole Rieu package to be smarmy and cloying, it's supposed to be about the elegance of a bygone era yadda yadda but the orchestra plays with the stylistic sensitivity of a junior high school string ensemble, albeit a technically proficient one. It's a weird mix of old world culture and new world image and marketing, I don't like it. If I want to see something like this I'll wait till New Year's and the next Vienna Philharmonic special.

[yue]

 

[pianistimo]

are you andre rieu?  is that your shorter name?