[edit] Career
At University he performed the Gold And Silver Waltz by Franz Lehár. Encouraged by the audience reaction he decided to pursue the waltz form. Rieu formed the Maastricht Salon Orchestra and performed as a violinist with the Limburg Symphony Orchestra. In 1987, he created the Johann Strauss Orchestra and his own production company. Since then, his melodramatic stage performances and rock-star demeanor have for some been associated with a revival of the waltz music category. André Rieu plays a 1667 Stradivarius violin.[1]
In April 2009 (Australia) /June 2009 (UK), he made a cameo appearance as himself on "Ramsay Street" in the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours.
[edit] Johann Strauss Orchestra
The Orchestra began in 1987 with 12 members but now performs with between 40 and 50 musicians. At the time the Orchestra first toured Europe, there emerged a renewed interest in waltz music. The revival began in the Netherlands and was ignited by their recording of the Second Waltz from Shostakovich's Jazz Suites. As a result, Rieu became known as the waltz King.
Rieu and his orchestra have performed throughout Europe, in North America, and Japan. Winning a number of awards including two World Music Awards, their recordings have gone gold and platinum in many countries, including 8-times Platinum in the Netherlands. In September 2007 Rieu performed in Australia for the first time solo, without his Orchestra at the Eastland shopping centre in the Melbourne suburb of Ringwood playing "My Way" and "Waltzing Matilda"—and the next day appeared at Sydney’s Arena Cove, Warringah Mall shopping complex with the same set. Rieu and orchestra returned to Australia in November as part of his world tour. Rieu and his orchestra played 3 concerts at Melbourne's Telstra Dome from 13-15 November and continued their tour throughout Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, through to December 2008. The concert theme is 'A Romantic Vienna Night' and the set comprises a replica of part of a Viennese castle, complete with 2 ice-skating rinks 2 Fountains, and a ballroom dance floor situated above and behind the Orchestra. Rieu's largest concert attendance to date in Australia was 38,000 on Saturday 15th November in Melbourne. The Perth concert did not feature the replica of the Viennese Palace as it was stated in the press because it would not fit into the front doors of Subiaco Oval.
He records both DVD and CD repertoire at his own recording studios in Maastricht in a wide range of classical music as well as popular and folk music plus music from well-known sound tracks and theatre musicals. His lively orchestral presentations, in tandem with incessant marketing, have attracted worldwide audiences to this subgenre of classical music.
Some of his orchestra's performances have been broadcast in the United Kingdom and the United States on the PBS television network[2] such as the 2003 airing of Andre Rieu Live in Dublin, filmed in Dublin, Ireland, and 2005’s André Rieu Live in Tuscany filmed in the Piazza Della Repubblica in the village of Cortona in Tuscany.
[edit] Criticism
The artistic director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Richard Tognetti, has called Rieu's music Schlagermusik, among other things.[3]
Eamon Kelly writing in The Australian newspaper, in an article that discusses the controversy that Rieu engenders, said: "He depicts his critics as members of a stuffy musical elite with narrow aesthetic tastes, yet regularly demeans in interviews music that is not to his taste and classical musicians who choose not to perform in his manner."[4]
[edit] Personal life
He is married to Marjorie, who works with him full-time as production manager, and has two sons, Marc and Pierre. He speaks (in order of fluency) Dutch (including his home/city dialect Maastrichtian), English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.[citation needed] Rieu has worked with his brother, Jean Philippe for several years, but Jean Philippe has now started his own production company
Lara's Theme
André Rieu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Although the snow covers the hope of Spring
Somewhere a hill blossoms in green and gold
And there are dreams, all that your heart can hold
Someday we'll meet again, my love
Someday whenever the Spring breaks through
Warm as the wind, soft as the kiss of snow
Lara, my own, think of me now and then
Godspeed, my love, till you are mine again
Warm as the wind, soft as the kiss of snow
Godspeed, my love, till you are mine again
The lyrics to André Rieu's song Lara's Theme are both bittersweet and hopeful. The first stanza speaks of the promise of the future, even if the present is covered in snow and lacking in hope. It suggests that even though things may seem bleak at the moment, there will be songs to sing and dreams to hold onto. The second stanza speaks of a future reunion between two people who are deeply in love. It speaks of their memories of one another, and suggests that their love will endure despite any physical distance between them. The final line, "Godspeed, my love, until you are mine again", emphasizes the longing these two lovers feel for one another and their hope for a happy reunion in the future.
One interesting fact about the song is that Lara's Theme is actually taken from the score of the 1965 film Doctor Zhivago, which was composed by Maurice Jarre. The song became so popular that it was eventually released separately from the soundtrack and has since been covered by many different artists. Another interesting fact is that André Rieu, the violinist who recorded this version of the song, is known for his emotional and dynamic performances on stage. He is particularly famous for his ability to infuse classical works with a sense of passion and drama that makes them accessible to a wider audience.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere my love there will be songs to sing
No matter the circumstance, in distant places, there will always be reasons to be joyful and songs to be played.
Although the snow covers the hope of Spring
Even when the cold winter hides the signs of hope and renewal that Spring brings, we can still find joy and expectation in the knowledge that it will eventually arrive.
Somewhere a hill blossoms in green and gold
Even in places where we can't see them, there are always beautiful things growing, flourishing, and becoming alive.
And there are dreams, all that your heart can hold
There is always something to strive for, something that will keep the heart contented and fulfilled, even in the face of adversity.
Someday we'll meet again, my love
Although we may be separated by distance, circumstances, or even death, there is always hope for a reunion with those we love.
Someday whenever the Spring breaks through
At some point in the future, the dark, cold, barrenness of winter will give way to the beauty, warmth, and renewal of Spring.
You'll come to me, out of the long-ago
Time and distance will cease to matter when we are reunited with our loved ones, and we will feel as if no time has passed at all.
Warm as the wind, soft as the kiss of snow
The love between two people can be tender, gentle, and renewing like the caress of a winter breeze or the kiss of snow.
Lara, my own, think of me now and then
Even when we are apart, we can still hold the ones we love in our thoughts, and they can be with us in spirit, if not in person.
Godspeed, my love, till you are mine again
May God's blessing be upon you, beloved, until we are reunited once more.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MAURICE JARRE, PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sirenesolycat3752
Quel merveilleux film,
je ne "l'oublierai jamais"
Ma première toutoune,
son prénom a été LARA
!!.. 🐩💖💞💖💞💖💞💖💞💖
Merci pour cette belle
musique avec tous ces
beaux souvenirs 🙏🙏
@dunhillan8360
Who's still listening this somewhat triste and beautiful tune in 2021 with me?
I guess we all have our own "Lara" in our memories.
Memories of those far-off day?
Memories tinged with sadness?
Reminiscences and Memories crowded your mind?
Long lost friends?
or heyday of your life?
I want to share your beautiful stories.
Will you leave your beautiful stories at my door?
I'll leave them for the one who waits behind.
Somewhere my love..
@recipmech
My wife's favorite song ever. Married for 59 years and recently lost her to dementia. How I Love and Miss my wonderful MaryAnn...
@Laowu1898
Beautiful song! God bless you and your wife!
@Safina757
She will live in your heart forever.
@elenaderoet4926
Dementia sucks.... I'm so sorry. Love and hugs
@joaodejesuscostaesteves4656
I must beg you, as a nurse that's what I 'm. Try to play this beautiful music next your wife and see her reaction. My Mother loved this music, was one the Best for her. Send you a big hug.
@joaodejesuscostaesteves4656
The beautiful music of Maurice Jarre.
@joliekae
This is the last music my mom ever heard. I played this video for her before she died this weekend. Somewhere, My Love was played at her wedding 51 years ago.
@mmiller7965
💔💖🌹😓
@phillipmilton8464
I am so so very sorry 😞....I am still and slways grieving the death of my mom - with whom I lived and for whom I was the care giver - from dementia ....just over a year after losing my dad; my Lighthouse, my Rock, my best friend as result of a horrible car crash [ in which momwas also injured severly[ ...i just wanted to acknowledge your post.... it is, or can be for many of us, ...so difficult...hang in there [ Phillip in North carolina]
@vasantkudva5362
I lost my mom to Dementia on 25th June 2021 ...I can understand the pain.I still cry a bit every day remembering all her sacrifices...I remained un married till date.This Aug I had a massive heart attack and I am happy that I will meet her soon enough!