Andre Rieu

André Rieu – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the inspiring life and musical legacy of Dutch violinist and conductor André Rieu (born October 1, 1949). Learn about his early life, rise with the Johann Strauss Orchestra, philosophy of accessible classical music, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu (born October 1, 1949) is a Dutch violinist, conductor, arranger, and entrepreneur who transformed the image of classical and waltz music by bringing it to mass audiences around the world. He is best known as the founder of the Johann Strauss Orchestra, whose spectacular concerts—held in stadiums and open squares—blend high production, theatrical flair, and enduring melodies. Many credit Rieu with democratizing classical music and transforming it into popular entertainment without sacrificing musical integrity. Today, he is celebrated as one of the most commercially successful figures in the classical crossover genre.

In this article, we explore Rieu’s journey: from childhood through his musical training, the founding and growth of his orchestra, his musical philosophy, influence, and we share some of his most poignant quotes.

Early Life and Family

André Rieu was born on October 1, 1949, in Maastricht, in the southern Netherlands.

At just five years old, he began violin lessons.

He studied violin formally at the Conservatoire Royal in Liège and the Conservatorium Maastricht (1968–1973), training under teachers like Jo Juda and Herman Krebbers. Premier Prix.

Rieu is married to Marjorie Kochmann (since 1975).

Rieu is multilingual, fluent in six languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.

Musical Career & Achievements

The Birth of the Johann Strauss Orchestra

In 1978, Rieu formed an ensemble originally called the “Maastricht Salon Orchestra.” 1987 he officially founded what would become the Johann Strauss Orchestra.

From a modest size initially (about a dozen musicians), the orchestra grew to 50–60 musicians (and in various performances even larger) as demand for touring and grand-scale productions increased.

Rieu plays a 1667 Stradivarius violin during many performances.

Global Tours & Popular Success

André Rieu and his orchestra have toured globally—through Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia, and beyond—filling stadiums and plazas.

In 2008, one of his tours featured a full-size reproduction of Empress Sisi’s castle as stage scenery—arguably one of the most ambitious portable stages ever in a concert tour.

His tours consistently rank among the top worldwide music tours in terms of revenue and attendance.

Rieu also composes occasionally and has released albums like And the Waltz Goes On, which features a piece composed jointly with Hayley Westenra.

Musical Philosophy and Accessibility

One of Rieu’s defining missions is to make classical music accessible to everyone. He often says:

“We should make decisions in life with our hearts, not our brains, not only in music but in daily life.” “I know that when I like music, when it touches my heart, that it will touch your heart, too. That, I think, is the secret to my success.”

He has also criticized those who treat classical music as something highbrow or forbidding:

“I think there are people who use classical music to say, ‘I am better than you, because I know all the rules and you don’t.’”

For Rieu, music is emotional, universal, and should be enjoyed not just studied.

Reception and Criticism

Rieu’s commercial and theatrical approach has drawn both admiration and criticism. Some classical purists have accused his performances of emotional excess, theatricality, or “dumbing down” the classical idiom.

Legacy and Influence

• Democratizing classical and waltz music: Rieu showed that orchestral and waltz repertoire could draw mass audiences, filling stadiums and outdoor venues, and becoming part of mainstream entertainment.

• Crossover appeal: His blending of theatrical staging, audience participation, and melody-centric programming has influenced how classical crossover artists present their work.

• Commercial viability in classical arenas: Rieu’s success demonstrates that classical or semi-classical music can sustain large-scale tours and commercial success.

• Inspiring new listeners: Many in his audiences might not have otherwise engaged with classical music; Rieu’s format lowers the threshold to appreciation.

• Cultural ambassador: He is often referred to as a “waltz ambassador,” bringing Viennese / salon style music to the world in a celebratory format.

His long-lasting popularity, sheer volume of recorded output and global tours, plus his ability to connect emotionally with audiences, secures his place as one of the most significant classical crossover figures of his generation.

Personality, Values & Traits

André Rieu is often described as warm, generous, sincere, and optimistic. He exudes a sense of joy in performance and seems to believe deeply in the emotional power of music. His own statements suggest some of his core values:

• Emotion over theory: He emphasizes feeling over technicalism.

• Inclusiveness: He wants music to be for “everybody,” not just connoisseurs.

• Heart-led decisions: He often frames choices in life and art as coming from the heart.

• Joy, positivity, and health: Rieu has said he believes health is in the mind, and that happiness and satisfaction in one’s work contribute to wellbeing.

• Simplicity in profundity: He doesn’t shy from big ambitions but proceeds with clarity and a desire to touch people.

He is known to be both a showman and musician, weaving storytelling, stagecraft, and musicality into his concerts.

Memorable Quotes of André Rieu

Here are selected quotes attributed to André Rieu that reveal his philosophy about life and music:

1. “We should make decisions in life with our hearts, not our brains, not only in music but in daily life.”

2. “I know that when I like music, when it touches my heart, that it will touch your heart, too. That, I think, is the secret to my success.”

3. “Mozart composed his music not for the elite, but for everybody.”

4. “I think there are people who use classical music to say, ‘I am better than you, because I know all the rules and you don’t.’”

5. “The waltz can be sad and at the same time uplifting. You have to see life from both sides, and the waltz encapsulates that. If you’re in my audience you give yourself to me and the waltz will grab you.”

6. “I am a showman in the traditional sense, but modern, too. I like to use sets and lighting to create magic.”

7. “I am travelling half the year around the world … so coming home is one of the most beautiful things.”

These quotes reflect how Rieu views music as emotional, universal, and inclusive—and how his work is both performance and expression.

Lessons from André Rieu

• Art + accessibility: Great art need not be inaccessible. The merging of performance grandeur and musical substance can bring new audiences to traditions.

• Emotion as connection: Music’s power lies in touching hearts; technical mastery matters, but emotional resonance deepens the bond.

• Courage to break molds: Rieu moved beyond “classical concert hall” conventions, showing that reinvention can revitalize even historical genres.

• Ambition with heart: Big stages, grand tours, theatrical sets—all grounded in the desire to share joy, not mere spectacle.

• Consistency and growth: Over decades, he’s continued refining his ensemble, production, and outreach, proving that success in art often comes from persistence as much as talent.

Conclusion

André Rieu, born in 1949, has carved a unique path in modern music. He is more than a virtuoso violinist or a conductor—he is a bridge between classical tradition and popular audience, a showman with musical soul. Through the Johann Strauss Orchestra, he has brought waltzes and orchestral melodies to millions across continents, making them a living, festive art form again.