One of classical music’s most visible ambassadors, André Rieu, has undoubtedly increased his musical reach exponentially with the release of his film Amore, My Tribute to Love.
Nothing reaches a mass audience quite like the medium that is the moving image. Not that his current fan base is in need of expansion! Rieu has sold over 40 million records and his concerts sell out immediately. He has played at countless breathtaking venues across the planet for seas of classical musical appreciators and they are something firmly in the “don’t miss” department. It is a pure bucket list item for this writer to witness his majesty live, ideally in his home continent of Europe. Sure, I’ve seen many of his televised specials—frequently aired on PBS (seek them out!)—but nothing can compare to the live concert.
There is something truly singular about sitting in a darkened theater with fellow fans of film and being swept away by the unique magic that is at the heart of cinema’s charm. With Rieu bringing his mesmerizing concert experience to the big screen with Amore, My Tribute to Love—in theaters everywhere August 28—consider yourself invited to the summer’s true once-in-a-lifetime cinematic moment.
Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra—with up to 60 musicians—had their birth in 1987 when the violin virtuoso ushered in a sensation that mirrored what rock stars bring to the concert stage. He is larger than life and the sonic succulence of his ensemble has captured the fancy of millions upon millions.
The film will bring the magnificence of his live show from his hometown of Maastricht in the Netherlands to the world. The one-night-only theatrical event has aptly titled his film. See his Tribute to Love celebrates his passion for music, his family, his orchestra and as audiences will see firsthand—his hometown.
The Movie Mensch had the honor of sitting down with the legendary performer for an exclusive Q&A. We delve into why this moment was the right moment to have a movie chronicle his musical return home, how his incredible musical journey commenced, his most treasured performance locale (besides his hometown, of course!) and what’s next for his revered orchestra, besides becoming movie stars!
The Movie Mensch: Going back to the early days, what even made you want to pursue a career in classical music? Were there inspirations? If so, who? Going into any musical field is a rough journey, what was it about this landscape that made it completely irresistible?
André Rieu: My father was a classical conductor and all of my brothers and sisters (we were six children) played several instruments. I learned the flute, oboe, piano, but it was the violin that really touched my heart. When I was five, I was very much in love with my teacher, an 18-year-old blonde, so I practiced a lot! It was natural to me to become a musician! I did not even have to think about it.
The Movie Mensch: My mother said, that it was a calling that could not be ignored. Agree?
André Rieu: Agreed! Although if I hadn’t become a musician, I would have loved to be an architect.
The Movie Mensch: This film, My Tribute to Love, has the potential to reach so many of your fans, first, and secondly, reach a vast audience due to the medium of film that recordings and concert tours cannot achieve. Was that the big appeal of doing a film?
André Rieu: My son Pierre started to bring my concerts into the cinema some years ago to make it accessible also to the parts of our audiences who were not able to join us live in Maastricht. It is wonderful to be able to show it to them this way on the big screen with great sound. I heard, last year people were even dancing in the cinemas. Isn’t that fantastic?
The Movie Mensch: And why now make a movie with this particular program of music? Sure is fitting with the themes of “love!”
André Rieu: I think love is the most important thing in life!
The Movie Mensch: You and your Johann Strauss Orchestra truly feel like a family and the old adage that if the performers are having fun on stage, the audience is having a ton of fun as well, seems to completely apply to you and your extraordinary ensemble. Do I have it right? I’m sure it’s rough to be on the road so much and away from family, but does it make it easier when the group you are performing with meshes so well?
André Rieu: Yes, absolutely. My orchestra is my big family. We do not work, we have fun on stage. We share our sorrows and joys, we travel on the same busses, sleep in the same hotels and eat the same food. We are always together. Many of my musicians have been with me for over 20 years, some of them were even at the first rehearsal in 1987. It has always been my dream to travel the world with my own orchestra and I appreciate and admire their endless loyalty to me. I am the boss, but not like a dictator, more like a father,
The Movie Mensch: You’ve played in venues the globe over, and I’ve seen many of your TV specials in the most astonishing of locales. What for you, personally, is a geographical performance highlight? If you can even choose just one!
André Rieu: Probably the open-air concert in front of Schönbrunn Castle in Vienna, Austria in 2007. Everything was so perfect and romantic…the horses, the fountains, the castle. It was like a fairytale setting!
The Movie Mensch: The term “Amore” as part of the title of this film, and of course your supremely successful album, is multifaceted I would say. It fits so much. Love of music. Love of performing. Love of family and I suspect if I may venture from afar, a true love of life. Did you ever in your wildest dreams think that your life would resemble what it is now?
André Rieu: I had always thought that the way we were making music could make many people happy, but of course I could not have anticipated this success. I think it is a mix of passion, love, hard work and a dream. Walt Disney once said:” If you can dream it, you can do it!”
The Movie Mensch: Many conductors or orchestra leaders have experience and talents with an instrument– but leave it behind when a baton is handed to them. Was there ever any discussion or thoughts on your part to just working with a baton instead of also leading with your beloved instrument in hand? It’s almost revolutionary and frankly, welcomed!
André Rieu: I lead with my violin, with my face, with my eyes. I do not have a baton. My orchestra and I know each other so perfectly well, it comes fully natural. It is like Johann Strauss used to do it, only he had five orchestras, can you imagine!
The Movie Mensch: What’s next for you and your orchestra?
André Rieu: We are very much looking forward to touring the USA and Canada in September! The tour starts on the 15th in Milwaukee and continues to New York, Chicago, Ottawa, Montreal among many other cities. It is great to be back in the US! After that we return to Argentina, Australia and the UK. And one day, I would really love to play on the moon!