André Rieu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
André Rieu
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Rieu in 2010
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu |
| Born | 1 October 1949 Maastricht, Netherlands |
| Genres | Classical, Classical crossover, Waltz, Easy listening |
| Occupation(s) | Violinist, Conductor, Entrepreneur, Arranger |
| Instruments | Violin, 1667 Stradivarius, Captain Saville |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Labels | Denon Records, Philips |
André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu (born 1 October 1949) is a famous Dutch violinist and conductor. He is best known for creating the Johann Strauss Orchestra, which is famous for playing waltz music. A waltz is a graceful dance and type of music with a "one-two-three" rhythm.
Rieu and his orchestra travel the world, performing in large stadiums for thousands of fans. He lives in his hometown of Maastricht, where he also holds popular concerts every year in the main square, the Vrijthof.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Start
André Rieu was born in Maastricht, Netherlands, as the third of six children. His family name, Rieu, comes from French Huguenot ancestors, who were Protestants that moved to the Netherlands long ago.
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Music was a big part of his family life. His father was the conductor of the Maastricht Symphony Orchestra. André showed musical talent from a young age and began learning the violin when he was only five years old. He was fascinated by the orchestra.
He studied the violin at top music schools, including the Conservatoire Royal in Liège and the Conservatorium Maastricht. From 1974 to 1977, he attended the Music Academy in Brussels, studying with the famous violinist André Gertler. He graduated with the highest honor, called the "Premier Prix."
Career and the Johann Strauss Orchestra
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In 1987, Rieu decided to start his own orchestra. He named it the Johann Strauss Orchestra after the famous "Waltz King," Johann Strauss II. The orchestra started with just 12 musicians. Their first concert was on New Year's Day in 1988.
Today, the orchestra is much larger, with 50 to 60 musicians. Rieu leads the orchestra as the conductor while also playing his violin. The violin he plays is very special and rare. It is a Stradivarius violin made in 1667.
World Tours and Grand Concerts
Rieu and his orchestra have performed all over the world, including in Europe, North and South America, Japan, and Australia. His concerts are known for being big, fun, and visually spectacular.
The shows often feature beautiful costumes, special lighting, and sometimes even ice rinks or fountains. In 2008, his tour included a full-size copy of a famous Austrian palace, which was the largest stage ever to go on tour at that time.
Rieu's goal is to make classical music fun and accessible for everyone, not just for people who normally go to classical concerts. His performances are lively, and he often jokes with the audience.
Personal Life
André Rieu married Marjorie Kochmann in 1975. She is a language teacher and has also written music. They have two sons. One of their sons, Pierre, works as a producer for his father's orchestra.
Rieu lives in a small, historic castle in his hometown of Maastricht. He is also very good with languages and can speak Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.
Awards and Recognition
André Rieu has received many awards from different countries for his contributions to music. These honors show how much people appreciate his work in bringing classical music to a wider audience.
| Country | Date | Appointment | Ribbon | Notes |
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| Kingdom of the Netherlands | 2002 | Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion |  |
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| Province of Limburg, Kingdom of the Netherlands | 2009 | Honorary Medal of the Province of Limburg | ||
| French Republic | 2009 | Knight of the Order of the Arts and the Letters |  |
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| City of Maastricht, Kingdom of the Netherlands | 2010 | Medal of Honor from the City of Maastricht | ||
| Republic of Austria | 2011 | Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria |  |
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| Kingdom of Bahrain | 2023 | Order of Bahrain - First Class |  |
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| Republic of Chile | 2024 | Pablo Neruda Order of Artistic and Cultural Merit |
Albums and Videos
Throughout his long career, André Rieu has recorded dozens of albums and filmed many of his concerts for DVD and television. His albums have sold millions of copies worldwide and have often reached the top of the music charts in many countries. Some of his most popular albums include Strauss & Co, Forever Vienna, and Moonlight Serenade.
His live concert videos are also incredibly popular, allowing people who cannot attend his shows to experience the magic at home. Many of his albums and videos have received "Gold" and "Platinum" awards, which means they have sold a very large number of copies.
See also
In Spanish: André Rieu para niños
