Thursday April 24, 2008
Acclaimed Dutch violinist Andre Rieu was so blown away by Australian support on his last visit Down Under that he has now taken on classics such as Tie Me Kangaroo Down and Botany Bay.
After being swamped with fans when he came to Australia last year Rieu was prompted to make an album of Australian classics to be released on Saturday.
Credited with revitalising international waltz, Rieu had only been familiar with Waltzing Matilda but wanted to go a step further.
He joined up with Brisbane soprano Mirusia, now based in Holland, and the two created the album which includes songs such as I Still Call Australia Home and Home Among the Gum Trees.
Speaking from the US, where he is touring, Rieu said Australia was number one for him.
"Because of the big success in Australia I thought this is the moment that I could adapt my record to Australia and that is what I did," Rieu told AAP.
"She (Mirusia) chose all the songs because I didn't know them but I could arrange them and make them, and it was great fun to do it."
Rieu has sold more than one million recordings in DVD and CD sales in Australia across 39 titles and last year he was Universal Music's biggest selling artist.
Rieu said that support in Australia meant the world to him.
"I'm a musician to make music for the audience, that is my life, that is my dream that is my whole being so when it works out like in Australia, then it's fantastic," Rieu said.
When asked what he thought of Australian classics when he first heard them he said: "If I didn't find them great, I wouldn't have put them on my record."
Rieu will be in Australia on a promotional visit next month, stopping off at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
In November he will tour Australia and is looking forward to being exposed to more Australian music."(Apart from Mirusia) I don't know any Australian musicians yet but I think I'll get to know when I'm there," he said. ~ Written by Katherin Field
Thank you Jann for sending this!
Acclaimed Dutch violinist Andre Rieu was so blown away by Australian support on his last visit Down Under that he has now taken on classics such as Tie Me Kangaroo Down and Botany Bay.
After being swamped with fans when he came to Australia last year Rieu was prompted to make an album of Australian classics to be released on Saturday.
Credited with revitalising international waltz, Rieu had only been familiar with Waltzing Matilda but wanted to go a step further.
He joined up with Brisbane soprano Mirusia, now based in Holland, and the two created the album which includes songs such as I Still Call Australia Home and Home Among the Gum Trees.
Speaking from the US, where he is touring, Rieu said Australia was number one for him.
"Because of the big success in Australia I thought this is the moment that I could adapt my record to Australia and that is what I did," Rieu told AAP.
"She (Mirusia) chose all the songs because I didn't know them but I could arrange them and make them, and it was great fun to do it."
Rieu has sold more than one million recordings in DVD and CD sales in Australia across 39 titles and last year he was Universal Music's biggest selling artist.
Rieu said that support in Australia meant the world to him.
"I'm a musician to make music for the audience, that is my life, that is my dream that is my whole being so when it works out like in Australia, then it's fantastic," Rieu said.
When asked what he thought of Australian classics when he first heard them he said: "If I didn't find them great, I wouldn't have put them on my record."
Rieu will be in Australia on a promotional visit next month, stopping off at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
In November he will tour Australia and is looking forward to being exposed to more Australian music."(Apart from Mirusia) I don't know any Australian musicians yet but I think I'll get to know when I'm there," he said. ~ Written by Katherin Field
Thank you Jann for sending this!
Andre is an artist to appreciate, he his orchestra and entire AR organization. What an awesome experience he feels with Australia's response, we all love. I would to see the US love him even more.
ReplyDeleteMartha
I agree Martha ~ It amazes me that no one I talk to has ever even heard of André here in the states!
ReplyDeleteYes, Sue sorry about my lapses in writing, I was doing two things at the same time.
ReplyDeleteMartha
I have my copy already. blasting the house out!
ReplyDelete