André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu (born October 1, 1949) is a Dutch violinist and conductor. He is famous for creating an international revival in waltz music and for his many top selling DVD and CD recordings with his "Johann Strauss Orchestra".
The Orchestra began in 1987 with twelve members but now performs with over forty and up to fifty musicians. At the time the Orchestra first toured Europe, there emerged a renewed interest in waltz music. This revival was initially mostly in The Netherlands and was ignited by their recording of the “Second Waltz” from Shostakovich's Jazz Suites. As a result, Rieu became known as “The King Of Waltz”.
Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra have performed throughout Europe, in North America, and Japan. They have won a number of awards including two World Music Awards and have recordings that have gone Gold and Platinum in many countries around the world.
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