Forever Vienna [US] [CD+DVD]

If any contemporary musician merits Johann Strauss' moniker, "The Waltz King," it is assuredly the indefatigable André Rieu, whose scintillating concerts have delighted audiences around the world. Forever Vienna, Rieu's 2010 release on Decca, is a representative sampler of his lively repertoire, and the violinist/conductor and his Johann Strauss Orchestra present a jovial mix of medleys and popular waltzes by the Strausses, Franz Lehár, Dmitry Shostakovich, and other composers whose dances have become familiar light classical fare. Most of the arrangements are Rieu's, and they display his characteristic whimsy and splashy orchestration, sometimes featuring a prominent violin part for himself, but often highlighting other musicians in enviable solos. The medleys are perhaps the most surprising and clever offerings, for Rieu occasionally inserts references to masterpieces that are far from the ballroom floor: the opening horn call from Bruckner's Fourth is a quirky way to open Danube Love Medley, a potpourri of waltzes, and who would expect Rossini's William Tell Overture or Suppé's Light Cavalry in the high-spirited Strauss Party? But as unexpected as these quotations are, they always work because of the music's buoyant humor and Rieu's charming way of letting his audience in on the jokes. The sound of these recordings is full, warm, and effervescent, and the evenness of volume over the tracks allows a comfortable home listening experience.~Blair Sanderson

Reviews

There are currently no reviews, be the first one!

Also Purchased

Works Details

André Rieu (1949 - ) : Strauss and Co., medley for violin & pops orchestra

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 3 min. 48 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary

Shostakovich, Dmitri : Suite no 2 for Jazz Orchestra :: The Second Waltz

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Notes: Composition written: 1938.
Running Time: 3 min. 41 sec.
Period Time: Modern
Written: 1938

André Rieu (1949 - ) : Carnival of Venice, medley for pops orchestra

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 4 min. 34 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary

André Rieu (1949 - ) : Strauss Party, medley for violin & pops orchestra

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 3 min. 23 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary

Traditional, Russian : Dark eyes ("Ochi chornye," "Black Eyes"), folk song

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 3 min. 20 sec.
Written: circa 1800

Franz Lehár (1870 - 1948) : Lippen schweigen (Lips Stay Silent) (from "Die lustige Witwe")

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 5 min. 29 sec.
Period Time: Post Romantic

André Rieu (1949 - ) : Danube Love Medley, for violin & pops orchestra

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 3 min. 53 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary
Form: Concerto

Marchetti, Fernando : Fascination, song

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 3 min. 24 sec.
Period Time: Post Romantic
Written: 1904-1905

Cortez, Quirino Mendoza y : Cielito Lindo, song for voice & guitar

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 2 min. 25 sec.
Period Time: Modern
Form: Vocal
Written: 03/10/1882

Kartner, Pierre : The Red Rose Café

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 3 min. 24 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary

Franz Lehár (1870 - 1948) : Vilja-Lied ("Es lebt eine Vilja") (from "Die lustige Witwe")

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 5 min. 36 sec.
Period Time: Post Romantic
Form: Vocal

Strauss II (Junior), Johann : Wiener Blut

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 7 min. 18 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Form: Waltz
Written: 1873

André Rieu (1949 - ) : Dancing Through the Skies, medley for violin & pops orchestra

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 3 min. 15 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary

Strauss II (Junior), Johann : Wein, Weib und Gesang, Op. 333

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 6 min. 16 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Form: Waltz
Written: 1869

André Rieu (1949 - ) : On Holiday, medley for violin & pops orchestra

Performer: André Rieu (Violin)
Running Time: 2 min. 10 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary

André Rieu (1949 - ) : The Gypsy Princess, medley for violin & pops orchestra (after Emmerich Kálmán)

Running Time: 6 min. 16 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary

André Rieu (1949 - ) : Work(s) :: André Rieu - King of Waltz - Introduction

Running Time: 4 min. 36 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary

Willson, Meredith : The Music Man

Running Time: 2 min. 10 sec.
Period Time: Modern
Written: 1957

Strauss II (Junior), Johann : Das Spitzentuch der Königin

Running Time: 6 min. 59 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Form: Waltz
Written: 1880

Jackson, Michael : Ben

Running Time: 3 min. 52 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary

Strauss II (Junior), Johann : An der schönen, blauen Donau, Op. 314

Running Time: 5 min. 28 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Form: Waltz
Written: 1867

Strauss I (Senior), Johann : Radetzky March, Op. 228

Running Time: 2 min. 32 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Form: March
Written: 1848

André Rieu (1949 - ) : Strauss and Co., medley for violin & pops orchestra

Running Time: 3 min. 48 sec.
Period Time: Contemporary

Anonymous : Scotland the Brave

Running Time: 1 min. 37 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Written: 19th Century

Newton, John : Amazing Grace

Notes: Composition written: 1779.
Running Time: 2 min. 48 sec.
Period Time: Classical
Written: 1779

Rodgers, Richard : Carousel

Running Time: 5 min. 19 sec.
Period Time: Modern

Reviews

New Recommendations

Sale Ends May 31st

More Ways To Explore: