Customer Reviews

Andre Rieu: Live in Vienna

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a 2007 mid-summer concert which took place in front of imperial Hofburg Palace in the center of Vienna.

DVD (DVD9) is in Widescreen (16:9) format with DD5.1 and DD2.0 sound option. Andre Rieu speaks in German but subtitles are available. Main feature runs for 135mins. There are no extra features.

Playlist selection is wonderful with 25 classical hits. Some of them we know from other DVDs of Rieu, but there are some new pieces we will hear in this DVD. There are waltzes, polkas, arias and musical pieces. According to me highlights are All Strauss Waltzes, Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart Medley), The Sound of Music, and Arias. The Johann Strauss Orchestra is accompanied by Choir and joined by guest stars namely The Platine Tenors, Dogmar Koller, Carmen Monarcha, Carla Maffioletti, Mirusia Louwerse and Suzan Erens. They all have wonderful performances. Also the Ballet of the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna debutantes from the Elmayer Dance School joins the Viennese ambient with their waltzes.

One of the best of Andre Rieu's (according to me the other bests are Homecoming and the Schonbrunn Concerts). Especially if you love the waltzing themes, this one is for you with lots of waltzes in the heart of waltz-capital of Europe, Vienna. You will enjoy a real Viennese Night in your homes.

Tracklist:
1.Wiener Burger
2.Tritsch Tratsch Polka
3.Facher Polonaise
4.Fledermaus Quadrille
5.Komm Zigany
6.Csardas
7.Gold und Silber
8.Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart Medley)
9.Mein Herr Marquis
10.Wolgalied
11.Perpetuum Mobile
12.Porgi Amor
13.Im Prater bluh'n wieder die Baume
14.Lippen schweigen
15.Schatzwalzer
16.Dein ist mein ganzes Herz
17.Ganz ohne Weiber geht die Chose nicht
18.Meine Lippen sie kussen so heiss
19.Morgenblatter
20.Ich muss wieder einmal in Grinzing sein
21.The Sound of Music
22.An der schonen blauen Donau
23.Radetzkymarsch
24.Strauss & Co
25.Wien du Stadt meiner Traume
26.Adieu, mein kleiner Gardeoffi zier

I recieved this newly released DVD (30 Sept 2008) as a pleasant surprise gift from a very good friend of mine(EC)who also caught the virus of classical music being spread worldwide by Andre Rieu.

Overall,compared with previous Andre's Concert DVD's,there is a marked increase of the usual elegance and finesse in the innovated presentation of Andre Rieu being accompanied by the Johann Strauss orchestra and choir. It is more apparent when we consider the concert is being held in Vienna, the home of the Strauss family and the birthplace of the waltz.

The stage is set up in Michaeler Square on the doorsteps(literally) of the Imperial Hofburg Palace in Vienna city center. A big 'Bravo' to the Stage Designer Marianne & Johny Lochner for their innovation about setting up two dance floors,one on each side of the orchestra bay. An extension of the dance floors is inside the original magnificent dance floor of the Imperial Hofburg Palace with its numerous classical chandeliers. This latter is shown on widescreens provided for the spectators.As expected, the inside ballroom of the palace displays all the sumptuous splendour and grandeur as it did in the 19th Century when Johann Strauss was teaching the world and Queen Victoria to waltz!

The performers on the dance floors are the outstanding Ballet group of The Vienna State Opera, Thomas Elmeyer group of Debutante Couples and the Folk Opera group of Vienna. In the various appropriate traditional costumes they open the show/concert with a pre-Strauss era ,Church approved 'strict' Quadrille formation dancing which easily transport the spectators to the time and place.

Andre's brief historical account of how the Waltz caused 'all hell to break loose' and 'stormed the world' has his usually witty sense of humour.

The repertoire, once again , has been very carefully and appropriately chosen to reflect the time and place with the usual high standard.The first waltz is the 'Gold and Silver Waltz' which gives us an almost complete reconstruction of the original time and place when it was composed and played thereafter.

Throughout the concert/show the same standard is meticulously maintained.
The soloists adapt beautifully to that era. The manner in which Carmen,Carla and Suzan thank the audience has innovated in a more elegant way that belongs to that time.The Australian newcomer Mirusia has joined the group very smoothly . The new hairstyle of the soloists and members of the orchestra perhaps appear to be more suited for the 2007 midsummer one(the date of the concert) rather than one of that time.

I must accept that I fail to understand the short Moulin Rouge type of show at the end of The Platin's Tenors and The Soloists fantastic and serious interpretation from 'The Merry Widow'. Somehow I feel that these latter might not have felt at ease as they were still on stage.

Suzan Erens is ,once again, fabulous in her interpretation of 'Sound of Music ' which is a tribute to Austria where the movie was made in the midst of its breathtaking sceneries in the valleys of the Alps.

Carmen Monarcha's interpretation of 'Meine Lippen sie Kussen so heiss' displays an outstandingly perfect inovated stage show. She excels and surpasses herself with a high degree of impressive perfection.She very well deserves the standing ovation she gets from the orchestra,Andre and the audience.

The interpretation of 'The Waltz of All Waltzes' took new higher dimensions with the waltzing ( Floating and swaying) of the dancers on the dance floors on the sides of the orchestra bay. The costumes of Elmeyer's dancing group 'Debutante Couples' are perfectly appropriate and they manage the cheeky hesitation beats of Andre Rieu very well.They are outstanding again in 'Morgen bluner'.It is a pity that M.Krammer( the main cameraman) did not give us more wideangle views, from 60 degrees above the horizontal specially that the DVD is excellent in the 16:9 format.I feel we had too many closeups views and not enough of the orchestra together with the two dance floors.

With Andre's touch of humour he gets Thomas Elmeyer to issue an anti aging and increasing longetivity prescription to all concerned!

The usual cheerful,lively and joyful feeling among the members of the orchestra and choir and, of course, Andre's become contagious and overcome the spectators who joins in a swaying frenzy throughout and,more so,towards the end of the show.

The guest artist Dagmer Koller lives up very well to her name of 'La Grande Dame de Vienne' in her interpretation of 'Vienna,City of My Dreams'. She joins in the grande finale 'Adieu,mein kliner Gardeoffizier'.

There is a banner in the audience that summarises this very successful Concert/Show appropriately .It shows a picture of Andre and it reads "DON'T STOP". At least we have it for 135 minutes on DVD(containing extra tracks not shown on public television).

So enjoy it again and again....

Tastes are, of course, subjective, but, in my opinion, "Live in Vienna" is far and away
the best concert ever performed by Andre' Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra.
(My second favorite would be "At the Schoennbrunn" - Andre' is always at hie best
performing in the Land of Strauss).

I first saw this concert advertiesed by my local PBS channel during one of their fund
drives and assumed that it was one I had already seen (after all, he has certainly
performed in Vienna enough times.) Much to my pleasant surprise the very first selection.
Vienna Citizens" was a waltz I had not heard in 20 years and I had never heard performed
by Andre' Rieu. I remembered it as one of my all time favorite "Strauss waltzes" Imagine
my chagrin when I subsequently discovered that it had been composed by Carl Michael
Ziehrer, a younger contemporary of Johann Straus II. Oh well, it's a beautiful wattz anyway.

Early on a number of young ladies in evening gowns and young men in "Hapsburg" uniforms
performed a visually beautiful "Fledermaus Quadrille" in the sumptious ballrooms of the Imperial
Apartments. Thirty years ago my late wife and I went to Vienna and saw what may have been the
precursors to this group. It certainmly brought back pleasant memories.This was followed by more
waltz music including the "Gold and Silver Waltz by Lehar (another one on my favorites.)

A change of pace was introduced at this point with a Mozart medley during which the
orchestra mirthfully played a few bars of that well known Mozart melody "Twinkle, Twinkle
Little Star" while a large portrait of Mozart "winked" at the audience. Most impressive during
the Mozart segment was the piano solo by a lovely young pianist whose keyboard stylings
were surehanded as well as delicate. I imagined that she played it pretty much the way that
Mozarrt wanted it played

After Mozart we returned to Strauss and his most famous operetta "Die Fledermaus." My
favorite Andre Rieu vocalist, Carla Maffioletti, always bursting with personality, gave us
her lovingly flirtatious rendition of "The Laughing Song" (you guessed it - one of my
favorites). There are fewer more pleasuralbe events in the musical world than watching
and listening to Carla Maffioletti in action.

As I said at the olutset tastes are subjective and my reasons for giving this DVD five stars
is very subjective. How could I give anything less to a DVD that is nothing less than a non-
stop rendition of all my favorite melodies. In addition to those mentioned I'll just list "The Merry
"Widow," "Treasure" waltz, "Morning Papers" waltz and the hauntingly beautiful "Vienna,
City of My Dreams."

The usual cast of Andre Rieu characters are present here including vocalists Karl Moik, The
Platin Tenors, Carmen Monarcha, the lovely Suzanne Ehrens, Roger the trumpet player,
the fellow who does tricks with his trombone, the pretty blonde cellist who always looks
like she's having the time of her life, and, of course, the great Andre' Rieu himself.

My wife and I have enjoyed viewing this DVD production very much. We watched it again last night. The music is excellent. The staging is excellent, set in the site of the Vienna palace. The "debutante couples" waltzing on stage and in the Emperor's Ballroom, additional dancers from the Vienna Ballet and Folk Dance Group, scenes from Vienna and Austria, great performances by singers Carla Mafioletti, Carmen Monarcha, Susan Erens, and the Australian Marusia (I didn't get her last name) add to the orchestal excellence of the Johann Strauss Orchestra. I think this DVD is the best one yet that Andre Rieu has produced.

This is a wonderful performance, my favorite of all of Andre Rieu's videos. Combination of beautiful music, breathtaking scenery and sets, and wonderful dancing and costumes. Five stars all the way, very highly recommended.

In my opinion this video rates in the same class as The Homecoming, that is to say one of his best efforts.

The setting, in front of the Imperial Palace is splendid. The sound and video work is superlative, as always.

In this video one can see a more mature set of singers, their voices and manners even more accomplished. The two ladies from Brazil have always been wonderful performers, but here they display a more refined and effusive delivery. Besides those two there are other singers, including some from Austria, who add color and luster to an already outstanding effort.

One is treated to dancers as well, in period costume and dancing in the imperial palace! A visual treat to say the least; radiant Austrian girls, stunning in their lovely ball gowns and accompanied by gallant gentlemen. Breathtaking!

At the beginning one can note a hint of tension in Andre as he comes on stage and addresses the musicians. Clearly he is playing the worldwide capital of music, and the very soul of Austria is going to judge his efforts. The mayor of the city is in attendance and the audience is critical to say the least.

In addition, he alludes briefly during his comments to having had to block traffic in one of the most crowded areas of the city, and the problems that caused him and his people. So certainly there is good reason for his tension.

The listeners are more jaded here, the music of Strauss runs in their veins. It would take a superlative performance just to satisfy them, let alone genuinely impress. So ones sees a more reserved audience than is normal in his other videos. However, by the end of the tape he has even those people standing, a real tribute to a master showman!

I cannot recommend this video more highly, it is not a simple duplicate of previous music in a different setting, it is a totally new effort,with new songs, different singers and dancers who sincerely delight in the waltz.

In the end he carries it off flawlessly, a magnificent performance in every sense.

Again,this was a second gift from myself to my Mother,and she loved it!It is far more complete than the version shown recently on PBS T.V.stations,the video/audio are of very good top quality,over all,if you enjoy Andre Rieu concerts,and his music,you will love this!Buy it and enjoy it!My Mother is a number#1 fan of Andre Rieu!

A great video. The setting of Vienna and
music of this area is outstanding. I will
enjoy this video many times.

I grew up listening to classical music. My parents are pretty hard core classical music listeners. All of my family enjoyed this awesome DVD. the scenery is beautiful and songs and pieces they play are very familar pieces. It actually makes you feel like you are actually there at the concert. There's brazilian singer in this performance - she's amazingly good!

'Andre Rieu: Live from Vienna' is, without question, one of the most outstanding Andre concerts I've had the privilege to watch.

The setting is the plaza in front of the beautiful Hofburg Palace in central Vienna. Recorded on a quiet, beautiful and warm (audience and ladies of the orchestra in bare shoulders) summer evening; a perfect set of conditions for a concert such as this.

First, the technical:

It's hard to imagine all the technical and logistical happenings that had to occur to make this evening a success. The plaza had a false floor inserted for seating accommodations and traffic was apparently rerouted around the area for a week in advance of the concert to allow the structural changes needed in the plaza to occur. The lighting, cameras were all perfectly placed, helping give that subtle, wonderful ambiance to the evening as night gradually overtook the concert.

Then there was the coordination of the different concert elements...the orchestral, the costumes, the dancers. The number of rehearsals and the amount of time involved must have been staggering to get a concert of this size and magnitude to come off without an apparent hitch (even though I realize the final DVD product probably received major editing.

I also like the candid shots of the audience...some caught singing, dancing and just generally enjoying themselves; and oh yes, there was the occasional tear.

Second, the performance:

The concert program featured several of Vienna's (plus surrounding areas) own historically prominent musicians; the most famous being Johann Strauss and W. A. Mozart, just to mention two. In fact the theme of the night was predominantly Strauss waltzes. One great melody after another, enhanced by the wonderful locale, costumes, players and dancers.

But, more than just the setting and the music, the intangible quality that sets Andre Rieu's shows apart, is the obvious and sincere fun everyone on stage is having during the performance. And make no mistake about it, no one is having more fun than Andre, and this attitude seems to radiate from him and infects the rest of his cast. A joy to watch, as well as hear.

Conclusion:

A stunning DVD. Filled with all the pomp and pageantry that gives the viewer a small glimpse of what the old Austrian empire must have been like at its zenith, when it was considered to be the cultural center of the world.

A couple of things regarding Andre Rieu.
A tip of the hat for his foresight and perseverance to pull a show like this off; the worries and concerns must have been enormous, but you'd never know it to watch him on-stage. Always smiling and directing his charges with a smile, a look , an eyebrow or a stroke of his bow...all with the confidence of the consummate professional.

Three personal favorite moments (from many):

1.)Andre's short solo performance of the violin sonata/concerto during the Mozart medley.
2.)Carla Maffioletti's 'Mein Herr Marquis' from Stauss's 'Die Fledermaus'.
3.)The ballet by the Vienna Ballet and Folk Dance group of 'Ganz onhe Weiber geht die Chose nicht' from 'The Gypsy Princess'. (stunning costumes that flowed and moved perfectly with the music)

Ray Nicholson

P.S.
And for all that I loved this performance, it still comes in second place among all other Andre Rieu's DVDs. My favorite is the show from Tuscany, Italy...a smaller, more intimate setting that oozes unbridled joy and spontaneity.