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Beautiful hot violincoxxx and violinphenomenon André Rieu
October 27, 2005 at 10:44 AM
No screaming teenage girls towards their popidol, but middle-aged woman like him. For example the Dutch Sonja Harper, who is living in Cincinnatti has a website with translated interviews of Rieu in English, http://andrerieufans.com with the USA-concerts: http://andrerieufans.com/concert_news/concerts_usa_2006.htm . He has a lot of entries on his questbook every day from over the whole world on his official website www.andrerieu.com often of his big fan Maria Smits, who gives him a lot of kisses xxxxx at the end of her questbookcontribution. He is the best cd-selling violinist in the States. A friend, who don’t know much about classical music and who also sent a foto in black leather of the cidre of Linda Brava for my weblog, gave me this link:
http://www.zelnickmedia.com/PR/pr_037.html
Andre Rieu Snares #1 on Billboard Classical Chart With
``The Flying Dutchman''; PBS Pledge Drive Special Powers
Strong Debut; December US Arena Tour Sells Out
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 2005--Denon Classics is proud to announce that classical music phenomenon Andre Rieu has exploded into the top of the Billboard Classical Chart with his new CD "The Flying Dutchman." Benefiting from the unprecedented ratings of the PBS August Pledge Drive special of the same name, Rieu is set to break through in the US in a huge way this fall. DENON has an extensive marketing campaign in place to support the project and PBS will reprise its airing of "The Flying Dutchman" during the all-important December Pledge Drive period. As a regular in Pollstar Magazine's top touring acts in North America for this year, Rieu and his orchestra will then close 2005 with an extensive western tour of North America beginning in Calgary, Canada, on December 7 and making stops in Seattle, Portland, San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno, Phoenix and three sold-out nights in Los Angeles.
In an age of dwindling exposure for classical music on television and sliding album sales, Andre Rieu's evolution in North America in the last three years has been nothing short of remarkable. His musical spectaculars, whether filmed in the sublime landscapes of Tuscany or the lush Dublin countryside, have touched a legion of fans worldwide and have earned the multi-talented conductor, composer and violinist a reputation as a musician and entertainer unparalleled.
Also known as "The Waltz King of Europe," the Dutch-born violinist consistently reaches the top tiers of the classical charts since his first recording, and has recently seen all of his Denon Classics releases become bestsellers, each reaching within the top five of Billboard's prestigious Classical charts. With his Holland-based orchestra, Andre Rieu has electrified audiences worldwide with his unique musical vision blending classical and pop elements, rhythm and dance into a charismatic event. It's a vision that has solidified Rieu's reputation as one of the premier live performers.
Says Gustavo Sagastumo, Executive in Charge of Pledge Drives for PBS: "PBS has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Andre Rieu. From the release of `The Vienna I Love,' over ten years ago to his latest special, Andre finds a way to please and delight what is now a huge and loving following among PBS viewers. Audiences comment on how much passion he brings to his interpretation of the classics and how beautiful and romantic his concert locations are. We are delighted that Andre has found such success with an American audience. He has helped PBS remain a vital and vibrant service in part thanks to the financial support that his fans bring to their local stations during the pledge drives."
The leading independent classical music label in North America, Denon Classics is a division of the Savoy Label Group, which is the North American unit of Columbia Music Entertainment (formerly Nippon Columbia), the oldest music company in Japan. Newly reorganized and now headed by Chairman Strauss Zelnick, Columbia Music Entertainment has reemerged as a significant force with a stable of newly signed platinum-selling artists.
What are your reactions: Ugh or double ugh. Or like Carey Anderson: Bram, could you stop to put such (hairy) pictures on your weblog, I don’t like Chippendales-types, I want brains no muscles. Or: give me a bowl, because I must puke. Or: although he is no second Oistrackh or Heifetz I like the waltz and English waltz more to dance on than discodance or pogodance, like I did on the danceschool when I was younger. Or: although he is a second ranked violinist, like Linda Brava, he brings a broad public, who never visit a concerthall, in contact with his “light” classical music, like labourers and truck-drivers, because “serious or heavy” classical music is for the elite, although the serious Wiener Philharmoniker also plays ¾ bar-stuff at their new year concert in Vienna, but than it is for strange reasons allowed. Or : ok, beautiful dresses in his orchestra and a good show, but I don’t understand what is so funny about it, because he is laughing too much all the time about nothing. Or: I saw him on television, first I thought it was The Funniest Home Video. Or: I like him in black leather, where I can see some breasthair, like Elvis in 1968, and with a bald head and face-lift.
Posted on October 27, 2005 at 1:34 PM
Posted on October 27, 2005 at 8:34 PM
Posted on October 27, 2005 at 8:36 PM
He seriously needs a new hair style!
Posted on October 28, 2005 at 1:06 AM
I have to admit to a guilty secret ... oh gawd this so hard to say ... but ... but... well ... sometimes ... ONLY SOMETIMES!! ... I ... watch ... Andre Rieu ... AAARGGGGHHHH... I'm sooooooo ashamed!
Forgive me. ... it's usually the ONLY thing approaching string music on TV and it beats watching infomercials ... JUST.
It really is very light middle of the road music and to be honest most of it makes my skin crawl (well that and Mr Rieu's incredibly fake smile).
Oh well, guess we all have a guilty pleasure or 6.
I shall now go listen to 3 hours of Bach as penance. (YIPPEEE!)
Neil.
Posted on October 28, 2005 at 2:40 AM
Posted on October 28, 2005 at 4:54 AM
Posted on October 28, 2005 at 12:45 PM
I loathe Andre Rieu; he seems to play only for money and the show, not the music itself. No offense to any Rieu fans out there, but he seems to be more of a crowd-pleaser than a musician. Does anyone else know of a violinist who has ladies' scarves with their signature on it or {insert name here} teddy bears for sale? Only Andre Rieu...
Posted on October 28, 2005 at 12:49 PM
Posted on October 28, 2005 at 1:47 PM
In a paradoxical way it reminds me of someting Darol Anger said about music. He described how as a kid, music was some thing to aspire to where the musician is "up" here nad the audience is "down" there and you are performing and they are listening to you....etc.
But he descibes how from his experience in Brazil and South America in general, he sees how music can (and *should*) be about participation. (Ironically to me, that is also what Bluegrass is anyway--Darol's "roots" music!)
Even though Rieu is most definitely a "star" and "up" on stage, he draws out that participatory spirit--raises the musical conciousness and musical courage of his audience.
That is, regardless of the showiness, a most noble act.
Posted on October 28, 2005 at 8:19 PM
Posted on October 29, 2005 at 1:22 AM
Posted on October 29, 2005 at 1:45 AM
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