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 24 This is followed by the famous "Oh When the Saints" with The Harlem Gospel Choir Andre 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.

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

Great entertainment. He really gets you going with the show. I enjoy it every time I watch it.

Great music

The highlight of this charming show is the incredible saxophone solo. The very pretty girl steps forward and does a very fast rendition of the Benny Hill theme. It is a continuous flow of notes with breath either hidden or of the circular type. She is AMAZING! The next most impressive bit was the singing of the small child he has used before. The boy's earlier violin playing was remarkable, but his voice showed exceptional talent for someone so young. My only complaint of the show was what I consider an overuse of the black chorus. They were some what out of place in any case. While enjoyable, their music was vastly different from what we expect from Andre Rieu.

This is one of the most spectacular presentations ever done in the Radio City Music Hall-and by a Dutchman with the most gorgeous orchestra in the world.From the standard classic Strauss Waltzes and operatic pearls to eternal favorites,there is something to please and amaze all.The "Hallelujah Chorus" will knock your sox off and "Yakkety Sax" will remind you why Benny Hill was such a hit for 25 years.The Harlem Gospel Choir is wonderful with "The Saints Go Marching In" and "Amen" while everyone loves "Singing in the Rain","Finniculi,Finnicula",and the powerfully presented "Libiamo" which will inspire everyone to lift a glass and toast this magnificient concert! ENJOY!

Love the ethnic presentations, films, clips and well put together program. Play this one over and over again....just love it......Should have put in some Irish and/or Chinese immagrants.....All New York is not Italian.....but not to worry, we love them too....and it is and always will be a great DVD to watch and listen to. Thanks, Andre, for ANOTHER winner. Didn't care for the small selection of Audio CD's that came with the package, but not to worry here either....anything Andre does is OK with us.

I only wish Andre' Rieu and his orchestra were able to perform in America more often. I watched as this man and his music transformed people from all over the country, who attended this concert, into one spirit that was filled with joy, laughter, tears and was bonded together by the intoxication of the music and dancing. Many of us arrived as strangers to each other, but many of us left with lasting new friendships and alliances, and felt we were better people having shared the gift this man and his orchestra brought to us. I recommend this to anyone who would like to experience the healing power of music and dance.

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

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you

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。

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。

Bon rapport qualité prix