Live In New York[DVD]

I discovered this wonderful concert in March 2007, during the Spring Break, as I returned to my usual hotel in downtown Long Beach after an excellent (and cheap) Indian buffet on Second St., where I always return whenever I go to the LAX area. As I turned on the local PBS channel, I saw Suzan Erens singing and didn't move any more.The concert opens by the "Seventy Six Trombones" while Andre Rieu and some members of his orchestra jump out of a limousine and enter Radio City in New York.This is followed by a well known waltz: "The Artists' Life", that includes some views of New York."Blaze Away", which lasts only thirty seconds (a small fraction of Rieu's speech preceding it!) is number 3, interpreted by the orchestra with a discrete choir behind.Number 4 is a mainly instrumental, touching tribute to Frank Sinatra's "My Way". This was originally a French song written by prematurely disappeared Claude François (1939-1978) and Jacques Revaux and created in 1968, as my French students should know. It is said that Paul Anka heard Claude François singing it while visiting the south of France in the 1960s. He then flew to Paris to negotiate the rights to the song and rewrote it for Frank Sinatra. Those who understand French, know that Sinatra's version has absolutely nothing to do with the original song, which is far sadder, evoking an estranged couple. You may listen to an outstanding interpretation of the original version by Michel Sardou: "Comme d'habitude" in a double CD kit titled "Les Grands Moments" and bearing the reference "Trema 710725 CB 772" dated 1996. Unfortunately discontinued, this great CD may be ordered used from Amazon.fr marketplace for about 16 euros.Rieu's interpretation offers black and white touching images of immigrants arriving by boat to New York while the orchestra plays, and there is also a picture of a young boy who could be Sinatra himself. Rieu's choir discretely sings the song in the background and the performance receives a well deserved standing ovation, which will happen quite often, by the way: unlike the audience of Dublin's concert, who seemed to be screwed to the seats, the public in New York gave many standing ovations throughout the concert."Dance of the Fairies" is interpreted by a child called Akim who plays violin and that Rieu had already presented in his "Flying Dutchman" concert. He has grown and made some progress since then.A famous Italian classic follows: "Torna a Surriento", interpreted by "The Platin Tenors""Funiculi Funicula", a fast Italian song, follows the languorous "Surriento", by the same trio."Godfather Waltz", an Italian waltz, is number 8. Beautiful images of Italian fields, cypresses and old stone villages fill the screen during the performance. An excellent idea that should have been repeated far more often!"Yakety Sax" is a fast tune in which a beautiful young blonde playing saxophone is the star.This is followed by "Amen", introducing The Harlem Gospel Choir, who enters the stage under a standing ovation from the public.Song number 11 is "I Will Follow Him", also by The Harlem Gospel Choir, joined by Rieu's choir and sopranos.They all remain on stage to interpret the "Nun's Chorus".After these three outstanding numbers, which deserve alone the purchase of this DVD, the first part closes with a masterpiece: "Amigos para siempre". Created originally for the closing ceremony of the Barcelona's Olympic game in 1992 in the outstanding interpretation of Sarah Brightman and José Carreras (you may read my review of Sarah Brightman's DVD "Diva", which includes this number, in Amazon.com dated September 20, 2008).Nevertheless, Rieu's interpretation is also outstanding. As it was the case in 1992, two singers (Suzan Erens and one of the three Platin tenors, whose name is not disclosed on the jacket) start this song but they are soon joined by two other, then two more (Carla and the third Platin tenor) in a crescendo that will culminate with the entrance on stage of Rieu's choir and The Harlem Gospel Choir followed by a well deserved standing ovation.All male members of the orchestra abandon their instruments to perform "Singing in the rain", leaving the orchestra to female musicians with the contribution of the sopranos hitting the drums for the opening of the second part.Number 15 is an instrumental: "The Washington Post", with some views of New York filling the screen during the performance.This is followed by "Oh Happy Day" in an outstanding performance by The Harlem Gospel Choir. This number alone deserves the purchase of this excellent DVD."The Music of the night", which closed Sarah Brightman's "Diva" DVD is regretfully interpreted by the orchestra alone. True, Andre Rieu shows his talent of violinist but I would have preferred to hear one of his great sopranos instead of a discrete choir saying "ah, ah, ah"."The Blue Danube", number 18, is a classical in Rieu's repertoire, just as his also "classical" joke of stopping the orchestra while some couples in the public are dancing. It was funny the first time, but after so many times...This is followed by Suzane Erens' outstanding interpretation of "Don't cry for me Argentina"Rieu's three sopranos (Carla Mafioletti, Suzane Erens and a newcomer replacing Carmen Monarca, whose name is not disclosed on the DVD jacket) join the Platin Tenors and The Harlem Gospel Choir in an outstanding interpretation of Haendel's "Hallelujah" from his famous "Messiah". What a masterpiece!The "Radetzky March", number 21, is another classical in Rieu's repertoire"A Bright Young Man" succeeds this famous waltz as number 22. This is an instrumental medley that includes the "Blue Danube" "The Merry Widow" and other well known waltzes while balloons fall from the ceiling.The Platin Tenors and Rieu's sopranos come back for "Libiamo", holding a flute with bubbles (the "Widow"?) as they did in "The Homecoming" concert."Amazing Grace", a well known instrumental piece with flute (the instrument this time!) and bagpipe, is number 24This is followed by the famous "Oh When the Saints" with The Harlem Gospel ChoirAndre Rieu starts playing "America the Beautiful" alone with his violin, followed by the orchestra while the public stands and sings.The concert ends with a 27th number: "The Stars and Stripes Forever"As usual with Andre Rieu, this DVD includes bonus tracks and interesting additional information.If you need a reasonably priced Christmas gift besides the traditional box of chocolates on sale that I always offer, you may want to try this outstanding DVD, together with any of the three not less outstanding concerts given by a heavenly group called "Celtic Woman". Before you make up your mind, you may want to read my reviews for their "New Journey" (their second concert, a real masterpiece rated five stars by over 300 reviewers!) dated February 4, 2007, or the one for their "Christmas Celebration" (their last DVD), which I posted November 11, 2008.

Wonderful music and heart-warming, fun DVD. Love it!

The concert, like all Andre's productions, is superbly executed. In this case, the Harlem Gospel Choire adds an exotic mix of Gospel and Blues with classics, seldom seen on DVD.The singing of Halleluyyah! is hair-raisingly stunning, great voice combinations of operatic tones of the Strauss choire combined with the black-voice tones of the Harlem Choire, just great!Other familiar American tunes are played with perfect arrangement.Andre plays My Way on violin accompaied by the orchestra and you could feel the lyrics sounding in your head while he plays the melody in perfect sinchr with the voice melody.The screaming by one of the singers of the Harlme Choir is sometimes overtoned, but is compensated with the quality of the rest of the show.Definitely a must-see for the fans of Andre Riue and classical music.Randall Croes

The disc plays good, my patients enjoyed it. The case is slightly broken but it didnt damage the disc.

I love Andre Rieu's Johann Strauss Orchestra. This concert had many individual videos on Youtube and Andre put the whole concert on Youtube during the pandemic when we were all locked down. I was so happy to find a used copy in such great condition. This DVD is awesome. If you can get one, do it.

A wonderful presentation. Great music with a wide variety. Everything from classical to marches.Andre Rieu is a man that lives music and it shows.If you have one note of music in your soul,buy this DVD.My wife and I have watched it 3 times in one week. Hint: If you only have TV speakers to produce the sound from this disc, now is the time to upgrade to a sound bar or an audio receiver/amplifier and quality speakers. To hear this wonderful music over 2 TV speakers would be missing 75% of the entertainment factor(in my humble opinion) I plan to buy another Rieu concert DVD soon.

This Andre Rieu DVD is, like all the others I have, outstanding in its presentation of wonderful music that every generation can enjoy and respond to. And it is wonderful how Andre involves the audience in his programs, and the respect he shows for all the countries he visits by playing songs that he knows will be meaningful to the people in each of those countries. Bravo to him and his wonderful orchestra and all his singers and performers!

Superb musical entertainment as only Andre Rieu and the JSO orchestra can bring. This concert at NYC's Radio City Music Hall was filled with energy and the audience was fully engaged in the performance. IMO, the highlight of the show was an outstanding performance by the lovely and talented Ms. Suzan Erens of Holland. Wow! Her performance of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" was a show-stopper, as was her lead vocal in their rendition of "I Will Follow Him" from the movie "Sister Act." The audio quality on this DVD is also extremely pleasing. On a good 5.1 channel audio system, it will sound as if you were there!

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you

Entrega a tiempo; DVD en bien estado y Rieu como siempre, increíble.

彼のviolinistとしての才能、walｔｚを中心に演奏するpopularなClassic Music が気に入っております。更に男女の楽団員全員の一体感と明るさがとても心を和ませてくれます。

Bon rapport qualité prix

相変わらず見てて楽しい！すごくアメリカっぽい内容な気がしました。