CD REVIEW: André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra
Falling In Love / The Flying Dutchman

Decca 5708288

This is the latest release from the phenomenon that is the Dutch violinist and conductor who has already sold over 40 million albums. At the time of writing you get a CD and a two-hour DVD for under £7. The former has among its 17 tracks two of my current favourites, Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah and Time To Say Goodbye, the ending enhanced by the inclusion of a snare drum, also a lovely cello led Can’t Help Falling In Love, Scarborough Fair, My Heart Will Go On (from 'Titanic'), Memory (from 'Cats), Feelings, Over The Rainbow, Charles Aznavour's She, and Sleepy Shores, the warmly remembered theme from the early '70s TV drama series 'Owen M.D.'

The DVD includes two specials of an hour each in front of 18,000 folk featuring the soloists, a large number of horses and riders, trumpeters and percussionists, plus three bonus tracks, the recordings for a regional TV programme based on the concert with André and his son Pierre, and a short film about the making of the DVD. To give a flavour of the disc's variety, among the 29 tracks are: Entry of the Gladiators, Blaze Away, Cavalleria Rusticana, The Laughing Song, Light Cavalry Overture, Irish Washerwoman, Volare, Old MacDonald, O Fortuna (Camina Burana), In a Persian Market, and We Are the Champions.

Buy this entertaining release for its excellent value and as an ideal antidote to dull winter days.

Peter Burt © 2017