André Rieu
Birth Name: André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu
Height: 184 cm
André Rieu was born on October 1, 1949 in Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands as André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu. He has been married to Marjorie Kochmann since October 18, 1975. They have two children.
I first picked up a violin aged five - I just assumed everyone played.
I first picked up a violin aged five - I just assumed everyone played.
For me, I always like to get up bright and early.
For me, I always like to get up bright and early.
I am a showman in the traditional sense, but modern, too. I like to use sets and lighting to create Show more
I am a showman in the traditional sense, but modern, too. I like to use sets and lighting to create magic. Hide
I think there are people who use classical music to say, 'I am better than you, because I know all t Show more
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.' You're not allowed to have fun or entertain. Hide
I have 120 people in my payroll without any government giving me any money. We live off the tickets Show more
I have 120 people in my payroll without any government giving me any money. We live off the tickets and the records I sell. That is very unusual. Hide
I was a fat child and loved cake, perhaps because it was the only sweet thing in my life.
I was a fat child and loved cake, perhaps because it was the only sweet thing in my life.
It is my personality alone that has brought back the waltz and made it a global craze.
It is my personality alone that has brought back the waltz and made it a global craze.
People don't come to my concerts because they know the program. They come because they love the atmo Show more
People don't come to my concerts because they know the program. They come because they love the atmosphere and because they know that when I offer them a program it will be a night they never forget. Hide
I'm an un-healable positive optimist.
I'm an un-healable positive optimist.
When I'm not on tour, I love to have a long breakfast at home in my garden.
When I'm not on tour, I love to have a long breakfast at home in my garden.
I love reading but I never last very long because I fall asleep right away.
I love reading but I never last very long because I fall asleep right away.
I am travelling half the year around the world, every year, so coming home is one of the most beauti Show more
I am travelling half the year around the world, every year, so coming home is one of the most beautiful things. Hide
The classical music world is so snobbish.
The classical music world is so snobbish.
When I was 4 or 5, I attended my father's concerts. He very often played Strauss waltzes as encores Show more
When I was 4 or 5, I attended my father's concerts. He very often played Strauss waltzes as encores and I saw something happening with the audience. Hide
I admire Johann Strauss a lot. I believe he was a genius of his time.
I admire Johann Strauss a lot. I believe he was a genius of his time.
The waltz can be sad and at the same time uplifting. You have to see life from both sides, and the w Show more
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. Hide
When my twin grandchildren, Linda and Lyeke, were born two years ago, it changed me. I felt it was t Show more
When my twin grandchildren, Linda and Lyeke, were born two years ago, it changed me. I felt it was the essence of what life is about, and I cried all day. When my son Pierre, their father, was born I didn't cry like that. Hide
Now, I've changed my life to make sure I work only on what I love.
Now, I've changed my life to make sure I work only on what I love.
We should make decisions in life with our hearts, not our brains, not only in music but in daily lif Show more
We should make decisions in life with our hearts, not our brains, not only in music but in daily life. Hide
I believe that music in itself heals and that everything is about the power of the mind. I thought i Show more
I believe that music in itself heals and that everything is about the power of the mind. I thought if you are happy, you don't get ill. Your health is in your head. When you are satisfied with your work, you don't get ill. Hide
It is a real piece of art if you can make a waltz sound like it is the easiest piece of music to pla Show more
It is a real piece of art if you can make a waltz sound like it is the easiest piece of music to play, because it's really not. Hide
Critics or musicians who attack me are jealous of my success and the fact that I make people feel so Show more
Critics or musicians who attack me are jealous of my success and the fact that I make people feel so happy. Hide
I know that when I like music, when it touches my heart, that it will touch your heart, too. That, I Show more
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. Hide
I was so busy with my studies that I didn't have a musical idol as a teenager. Later, around my 20s, Show more
I was so busy with my studies that I didn't have a musical idol as a teenager. Later, around my 20s, I suddenly discovered the Beatles and the Rolling Stones but I guess my musical idol has always been Strauss. Hide
I was the black sheep of the family, and my mother never really understood me.
I was the black sheep of the family, and my mother never really understood me.
It doesn't matter as long as there's interaction between me and the audience. That's why they come.
It doesn't matter as long as there's interaction between me and the audience. That's why they come.
The waltz is a very important part of my life. It's a very important way for me to express my positi Show more
The waltz is a very important part of my life. It's a very important way for me to express my positiveness, bringing humor to the world. Hide
Where would I be without Johann Strauss's beautiful 'Blue Danube?' Without this piece of music I wou Show more
Where would I be without Johann Strauss's beautiful 'Blue Danube?' Without this piece of music I wouldn't be the man I am today. It's a tune that brings out the emotion in everyone and makes them want to waltz. Hide
I have two speeds, nothing and full pelt.
I have two speeds, nothing and full pelt.
Mozart composed his music not for the elite, but for everybody.
Mozart composed his music not for the elite, but for everybody.
You go to a pop concert or a classical concert but there's nothing in between.
You go to a pop concert or a classical concert but there's nothing in between.
André Rieu's FILMOGRAPHY
as Actor (39)
