André Rieu

Re-creating the romance of a bygone era, violinist, conductor, and composer André Rieu emerged in the late '80s as a latter-day Waltz King, specializing in light classics and Viennese salon music. Seeking to capture the spirit and ambience of a 19th century Strauss appearance, he named his backing orchestra the Johann Strauss Orchestra and conducts while playing the violin as Strauss and his brothers did, providing the beat with his bow, instrument, and with his body, virtually dancing the rhythm. Rieu has written that he recognizes that the modern concert platform (with seate...