Live In Vienna[DVD]

Great music

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 his 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 waltz 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, TwinkleLittle 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 stylingswere surehanded as well as delicate. I imagined that she played it pretty much the way that Mozart 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 usher lovingly flirtatious rendition of "The Laughing Song" (you guessed it - one of my favorites). There are fewer more pleasurable events in the musical world than watchingand 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.

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.

I have visited Vienna and I also enjoy Andre Rieu's concert. I would recommend this product very much but wish theywould have included more Viennese's songs in their dialect from the Heurigen (wine festivals.)

amazing, but would not play in MAC book air computer

Enjoy the conducting of Andre Rieu. Very lively DVD. This is a replacement for the DVD that I lost somewhere. Happy to have this again. Beautiful music from the city of Vienna.

Most delightful experience.

The CD was not great. The sound skipped .