Andre Rieu Violinist Date of Birth: 01.10.1949 Country: Netherlands

Biography of Andre Rieu

Andre Rieu, a Dutch conductor and violinist, was born in 1949 into a large Dutch family. He began his first violin lessons in 1954. In the same year, he enrolled in primary school, where he studied for six years, and then spent another six years in secondary school, continuing to study the violin alongside other subjects. In 1962, Andre Rieu met his future wife, Marjorie. From 1968 to 1973, he studied at the music academy, focusing on the violin under the guidance of esteemed teachers Jo Juda and Herman Krebbers. He then went to Brussels to further his musical education, studying with Andre Gertler for three years. In 1975, Andre Rieu married his beloved Marjorie, and three years later, their first son Mark was born.

In 1978, Andre Rieu started playing in the orchestra "The MAASTRICHT SALON ORCHESTRA." From 1978 to 1989, he worked with the "LIMBURG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA." Starting from 1978, he toured with the "MAASTRICHT SALON ORCHESTRA," performing in cities in Belgium, Germany, America, and the Netherlands until 1998. In 1981, Andre Rieu's second son Pierre was born. Six years later, Andre Rieu began working with the "The JOHANN STRAUSS ORCHESTRA" and, together with his colleagues, became the founder of the company "Andre Rieu Productions." From 1988 to 2002, Andre Rieu toured with the "the JOHANN STRAUSS ORCHESTRA," performing in major cities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and France.

In 1994, Andre Rieu released the successful albums "THE SECOND WALTZ" and "Strauss & Co," which became popular not only in the Netherlands but also worldwide. These albums made it into the top ten and stayed there for an entire year. The composition "Wiener Melange" reached the top position in the TOP 100, and "Strauss & Co" was awarded seven platinum records. In 1996, Andre Rieu received the "WORLD MUSIC AWARD." From 1997 to 2000, he recorded and released the following albums: "Mein Weihnachtstraum," "Romantic Moments," "100 Jahre Strauss," "Das Jahrtausendfest," and "La Vie est Belle."

In 2000, Andre Rieu's younger brother, Jean Philippe, joined his company. Together, they recorded the waltz "La Vie est Belle." In 2001, Andre Rieu embarked on his first concert tour in Japan. In the same year, he and his colleagues established their own recording studio. In 2002, Andre Rieu's son Pierre joined his company.