Customer Reviews

Vienna I Love

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

 

 

Rieu is an entertaining musician. He plays and conducts. The mix of music is easy to listen to and my wife and I found outselves waltzing to the Cd almost as soon as we played it for the first time. I first heard this Cd on PBS and just fell in love with it.

It's amazing to see how stuffy some can be when they see others having fun. I'm very much surprised our German commenter (who needs to spell check the big words) would even be listening to operetta (rather than "pure" classics by Wagner and Beethoven, et al) This album represents the fun of beauty - lovely waltzes played with love and from the heart. By a "clown" violinist? Well, who doesn't love a clown when his main purpose is YOUR enjoyment? Get the album. Enjoy the music. Close your eyes and go to Vienna. And remember - it's easier for one German to be wrong than a million Viennese.

Having one of those ho-hum days just like that little round guy on the Zoloft commercial? Place this on your CD, press start, and don't fight it! You will be dancing around the living room (provided you don't fight it, just let it go!). Musically, it is a very fine piece from a very fine artist. It can totally transport you. So many of the tunes you will know from TV commercials, (Rheingold Beer) etc. It is a solid beautiful collection of tunes that can stir the soul. I know it sounds schmaltzy, but if it can make you feel better,why not try it?

Who can honestly say that they do not like beautiful Viennese Waltzes? No-one surely! And this album has the best of the best, played by the best. Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra have made an album that is truly spectacular, from the beautiful 'Strauss Party' which is a medley of Strauss' most beloved waltzes. One after the other the waltzes just keep coming, begging you to get up and dance. Who can resist! This is classical music at its finest, for the young, the old and the in-between. For anyone feeling in a 'down' mood, put this album on...it's guaranteed to lift your spirits.

I was going to review this on New Year's Eve, since it has the right kind of brio for the occasion. But sloth overcame me. Now, I need a shot of brio, so here we go.

The CD begins with a potpourri, including The Radetzky March (by Strauss pere), William Tell Overture, Light Cavalry Overture, and other chestnuts that still excite). The pace is up tempo. In short, a lot of fun. If you want cerebral works and conducting, this isn't it. If you just want to enjoy, good stuff!

Another cut is "The Skaters," by Waldteufel. Animated and enjoyable. This is, to be honest, a trifle, but a very pleasant trifle. The Johann Strauss Orchestra, led by Andre Rieu, provides an enjoyable version.

Offenbach's "Barcarole" is another musical bon bon. Rieu and the Orchestra produce another listenable version. The tempo of the work is nice, although, to my ears, a bit slow; the rhythm is captivating.

Then there is Strauss fils' "Emperor Waltz," one of his best compositions in this genre. The stately introductory segment sets the stage nicely and is played well by the Strauss Orchestra. Then, into the heart of the waltz itself. One of Johann Strauss Junior's best! This is a toe tapper.

And so on. Not a heavy duty classical album, but one that is an enjoyable change of pace. Great for the New Year's celebration. . . .

The music is so upbeat and you are automatically in a good mood. It is a real pleasure listening to this CD and it is done frequently.

I am really a rock music fan but I enjoy this version of light classical music. It may not be for the serious classical music enthusiast, but it is still considered excellent light entertainment. What a way to introduce classical music to a wider audience!

Every CD and DVD I have had of Andreau Rieu have all been excellent. You can waltz around the house doing the housework!

The title of this CD was misleading. I wanted an entire CD of Viennese waltzes to play at a party, and was disappointed that there were marches, etc. on the CD. A better title would've been "The Vienna I Love, Music From My Heart".

Wiener Melange is a sickly conconction, an insipid, limp travesty of real coffee. And so it is with Mr Rieu's brand of music. All watery sweetness smothered under a thick blanket of froth, visually attractive, but ultimately lacking in substance. Those who insist on skimmed milk, greenhouse tomatoes, McDonald's french fries and Foster's lager will no doubt find this the last word in entertainment. Those whose tastebuds have not yet been corrupted to respond exclusively to the common denominator will not really find this to their taste.