André Rieu is the conductor of the Johann Strauss Orchestra and was the first to play the waltz composed by Anthony Hopkins. I loved watching the look of joy on his face so I’ve been watching various videos of him playing/conducting while falling asleep.
“Nearer My God to Thee” (live in Amsterdam) This happens to be a favorite hymn of mine and from the look on André’s face, I kind of wonder if he’s a practicing Christian because you can tell that he’s got more than just a passing connection to what he is playing.
“Waltzing Matilda” (live in Australia) It’s not the national anthem for Australia but there is a serious love of the song and you can pick this up on the faces of the people singing along as well as on André’s face.
“Scotland the Brave” and “Amazing Grace” My grandfather played the bagpipes and LOVEDLOVEDLOVED pipe bands. This particular performance draws me close to him. There’s also just no way you can’t be moved by “Amazing Grace”.
“When the Saints Come Marching In” He and his orchestra are just having a blast. I love watching them just get into what’s happening and André even dances. 🙂
“Boléro” (Ravel) I love that he intersperses some decent classical repertoire in the middle of the “pops” stuff.
Go love up Jenna and the others.
I love “Waltzing Matilda!” Beautiful.
Thanks for sharing this. It was a good way to start my morning. I’ve always heard Bolero described as an orchestrated crescendo, and maybe it is, but I still love it.