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There are 17 songs on the DVD, in two parts, Plus a Special Features section.

PART 1

We all know what it's like to experience Andre's fantastic expressions. The  feelings he puts into his music is absolutely incredible. Each of these beautiful melodies, the wonderful locations combined with Andre's incredible expressions makes the "Dreaming" DVD a favorite.

The songs: It's challenging to attempt to describe these songs, and do them justice at the same time; they are incredibly beautiful, they touch the spirit, the music gives life to the dreams we may have. The music brings life to the locations where they are being played. Andre brings life to the music with his beautiful violin.

a.. Ballade - written by: Andre Rieu and Jean-Philippe Rieu. This song is a most beautiful song. Just knowing that Andre and Jean-Philippe wrote this music makes it a favorite, for they have composed some of the most beautiful music. The feelings they put into their melodies are truly something for the soul. The DVD begins with this incredibly beautiful song. Andre is playing his violin, there's a beautiful countryside, the sun is shining, and there's a wonderful old castle, Andre is by that window and our dreaming begins.

b.. The Gadfly, written by D. Shostakovich - One of my favorites. It is so beautiful. At one point in the beginning of this wonderful music, Andre is on a shoreline by what I presume to be the Maas River. he raises his arms as the music plays. someone does a "fly-over", it's very impressive, it's incredibly beautiful. There are castles, foggy mornings, the beautiful countryside and Andre is by the window, his expressions are telling us how extremely beautiful this song is, my goodness how beautiful this is. Don't you just love this piece of music?

c.. Intermezzo Sinfonico, Cavalleria rusticana, opera in 1 act. - Written by: Pietro Mascagni. -- This is a beautiful and spiritual piece of music. Andre relates this song to when he was young and going to church which was a big part of his childhood. He remembers being allowed to carry the sensor, which was a great thing for him as a young boy. - Now, as this song is being played, Andre says he was recently quite impressed watching a procession, as the church boys walk along through town and past the cornfields swinging their sensors. --- The other portion of the song is taken inside the St. Pieter Church in Maastricht; there are lit candles sitting on the backs of all the pews, it's very impressive. Andre is playing his violin, the JSO orchestra is wonderful and they're playing so beautifully, and it gives me such an incredible feeling of peace and happiness. The sun is glowing in the church and it's quite breathtaking. I must say that the incredible expression on Andre's face is wonderful. it's wonderful, and very spiritual. I just love watching Andre Rieu and the JSO play this incredibly beautiful song. If ever there were a spiritual feel to a song it would be this one.

d.. Air on a G String - By: Johann Sebastian Bach. This song is played by Andre and the JSO in Dordogne, France. Andre and the orchestra go inside during the taping because it's raining. Andre says that after they went inside, he started to play this, and the rest all began to join him one by one. He said the atmosphere will be with him for the rest of his life - he says "We were thinking only about harmony, you know, such moments are very precious in life, just as the music of Bach. In this music are only feelings of peace, love, goodness; for the one it's God, for the other one it's the highest form of meditation, it doesn't matter; I think, when there is a heaven, it's this music of Bach." This is so peaceful, I enjoy hearing them play this, relaxed and calm by the warmth of the fireplace; it's very beautiful indeed.

e.. La Traviata - written by: Guiseppe Verdi - Officially it's an opera about "love, passion and betrayal." Unofficially, it's a fun song being played as we watch Andre and the JSO, cooks and all, everyone, enjoying themselves at a nice feast. all are having fun. I must say, they do seem like one big, happy family. It's wonderful. The music is beautiful.

f.. Salut d'Amour - Composed by Edward Elgar (1857-1934), romantic period. The full score and performing part for the violin and piano. Our maestro Andre plays this so beautifully. I love watching him as he is playing this one by the water's edge. There are flashbacks of some of the JSO members playing their instrument at Andre's castle grounds. It's very romantic and I love it very much.

g.. Le Cygne - Carnival of the Animals: No. 13, The Swan. Composed by: Camille Saint-Saens. Oct. 9, 1835 - Dec. 16, 1921. "Born in Paris and two years after his birth Camille Saint-Saens could read and write and began piano lessons, then almost immediately began composing. His first piano recital was at age five. At ten years of age he gave public recitals of Bach, Beethoven and Mozart. At age sixteen he wrote his first symphony". -- In "Dreaming", the scene of this particular song is at a concert, with thousands of people. Tanja Derwahl, cello, plays this one solo. background is of course Andre and the JSO. Tanja plays this so beautifully. Andre said she wanted to be in his orchestra since she was a little child. she told her mother that that's what she wanted to do. Her mother said she would have to practice for years and years, and she did, and now she plays beautifully. One has to admire the discipline and dedication it took her to dream and then to make that dream become a reality.

h.. Spartacus - Composed by Aram Katchaturian. "Katchaturian's music is deeply rooted in the folklore of his native Armenia. The ballet Spartacus could be described as a monumental historical drama and made Khachaturian one of the Soviet Union's most highly honored composers."

When Andre announces this song on stage, one cannot wait until he plays it; he puts so much into it. It's a wonderful song and I enjoy listening to it very much. Andre begins by talking to the audience about music, in general, and how wonderful it is for dreaming. It's quite humorous now, as it's raining hard; the audience has their raincoats on and they are all wet; Andre looks around at the weather, waves him arm in gesture at the rain. he mentions white beaches where the sun shining.

i.. Send in the Clowns - Composed by Steven Sondheim, recorded by various artists, but the most popular being sung by Judy Collins, 1975. From the musical "A Little Night Music". I've always loved this song, I think more for the tune rather than the lyrics. I've always been more of a "tune" person than a "lyrics" person. Lyrics get in the way of feelings sometimes. I can create an atmosphere with just music, but the atmosphere is already there when the lyrics are sung. Make sense? I do love lyrics also, because they tell the story, which is important, but when there is just music. then I can create my own story. Melancholic songs are something for the heart and
soul, I believe, and even though melancholy is sad in a way, the "sad" turns into something for the soul for me.

Before "Send in the Clowns" begins to play, Andre is talking to us about the last minutes of the concert. He says: "I think, what was this for an evening, how was the public, did I do it well, did I play well, did I give the public something for home? And then every night I do the same thing, I go back into the hall, my crew is taking down everything, and now I'm on stage, all alone, and now I am imagining the public who was there, the men, the women, the children, as they are dancing, and clapping, laughing and singing, and crying, because of them, we had such a wonderful night, every night, where ever in the world. Thank you very much, that you were there, dear public."

(I just love this. the way that Andre signs off Part 1. it's so heartfelt, Andre Rieu is such a classy man).

When Andre walks into the empty concert hall alone, this song is playing in the background, he's looking around, imagining the evening; there are flashbacks of the audience as they were having such a wonderful evening. Renate Dirix, is playing the bassoon. she is really awesome on that instrument. I love listening to her.

It's an incredible feeling to make someone happy, to be friendly and see someone laugh or smile. In the Andre concerts I have been to, I think of the time that I had, it truly was a wonderful evening. All in the audience are having a wonderful time; the fun, happiness and joy of the moment, won't quit in their hearts and minds for a very long time. How can it quit? There is much life, much laughter, humor, and so much beautiful music. And there is Andre Rieu, a man who plays his violin so beautifully. No, the happiness and joy. it will not quit in our hearts or minds for a very long time!

I say to his man who plays his violin so beautifully, who gives so much to the world with his beautiful music and love of life, the love of people, the love of romance; Yes Andre, We ALL had a wonderful time. because of YOU, and your incredible Johann Strauss Orchestra. Andre, Thank you, that YOU were there, without YOU, we would not have had such a wonderful night!
 

PART 2

j.. Greensleeves - English folk song. The most popular version was written by William Chatterton Dix ca. 1865, there was an original lyrics written in 1580, and the tune appeared in 1652, however, the author was never recorded. I remember this song being played mostly at Christmas time when I was very young; I don't know why I only heard it at Christmas. I remember loving this song, and now, whenever I hear this song, it brings back those memories as a child. I always thought it was a very beautiful song, and it still reminds me of Christmas. Andre and the JSO play this on top of a hill in a field. They are dressed as if going to a formal concert. The uniqueness of this type of venue is wonderful. It's very different and enjoyable. There are castles. There are sheep roaming around with the herder, and the beautiful countryside makes it very peaceful indeed.

k.. Romance for violin & orchestra No. 2 in F major, Op. 50 Composed by Beethoven. Before this song is played, Andre tells us about his violin. He says "taking care of my violin is something very special, I do it every day". He parallels it to friendship. "You should take care of your friendships too, otherwise they die away". I think that friendship is one of the most important things in life. There was an old saying. Your acquaintances are many; your friends are few. When we do get that good friend then it is very precious indeed. - Andre's violin was the second violin Stradivarius made, built in 1667. Andre says that Stradivarius was just married and must have been very much in love when he made it, because the music is sounding so beautiful and romantic. In this music the feeling of romance is very much alive.

l.. Morning Song - Peer Gynt Suite No 1. Op.46 Composed by Edvard Grieg. This melody is very appropriately named. Listen to this song with your eyes closed, feel the song. And dream. Dream of something really pleasant to you, dream. Dream a beautiful dream. It's incredibly soothing and relaxing. There is so much I could say about this music. Morning is the time of day I'm generally at my best; I think most people are. Our minds are clear, nothing has "fogged" up our brains yet. Mornings are peaceful, quiet. Time for thinking and dreaming. This beautiful piece of music is playing as we are taken through various scenes. A morning fog surrounds the countryside, as a castle stands formidable. Castles are so adventurous don't you think? There is an incredible, quiet beauty about them, and it truly is as though time stood still from the middle ages. The countryside is very beautiful; I close my eyes and can smell the clean air, the grass and various other scents that go to making the quiet country so memorable. I remember when I was growing up in the country, I was away from cities and the quiet was wonderful, although I truly didn't appreciate it then like I would now when I cannot seem to experience those times again. The scenes are so parallel with that time. - Andre is sitting by a water's edge; he's sitting against a tree, with an incredibly peaceful look on his face. There is one time he's sitting by a country path, on some logs, and he tosses a rock into the water. There's a horse and her baby and Andre is leaning on the fence watching them and he pets the horse peacefully. Some scenes also go back to when Andre was a youth in Dordogne, France, when he helped with the harvest. As I listen to this music everything becomes so still, it's very relaxing and it's incredibly beautiful.

m.. Adante from Piano Concerto No. 21 "Elvira Madigan" - Written by Mozart. " Produced in less than one month in 1785, Mozart's 21st Piano Concerto was notoriously demanding for other soloists to perform to the composer's own performance standard, but it remains the ne plus ultra of the Mozartian piano repertoire. The andante second movement became known as the 'Elvira Madigan' because of its prominent part in the Swedish film of the same name by Bo Widerberg released in 1967". - In "Dreaming" this song is being played at the Andre Rieu castle grounds. It's very beautiful of course and the setting is wonderful. Andre talks about children having a chance to grow up with music. Personally, I think that this type of music would be the ideal music for children to grow up with. I believe that it would certainly give stability to their lives and it would certainly teach them to appreciate the beautiful music that has been around for a very long time.

n.. Salut d'Amour - composed by Edward Elgar. This time this song is actually played on the Andre Rieu castle grounds.

o.. Adagio - written by: Albinoni. Andre said his father made a list of some of the songs he should play. he told Andre that he should play this song, Andre felt that the reason was because of the incredible violin solo. What words can I choose to describe the violin solo we hear Andre play in this? It's just incredible. The backdrop is the courtyard of the Castlenaud Castle in France. it's night/evening. there are fires lit in their torch-like cauldrons and candles everywhere .there's an incredible blue glow, combined with the yellow/gold glow of the fires and candles. The JSO orchestra is incredible as always, Andre is standing there playing this beautiful piece of music; it's awesome. I just love to watch Andre play the violin solo. very time I listen to Andre play a solo, it does give me an incredible feeling; every time I hear him play a solo, I cannot imagine anything more beautiful.

p.. Aria - Composed by G. Puccini, From Madame Butterfly. Heidi Pittie does the background voice very beautifully. her dress is gorgeous. - Andre says he dreams of being the first person to give a concert on the Moon. Andre, if anyone could do that. it would definitely be you! Space.. It's said to be the Final Frontier, according to some. I think about what it would take to actually go out there, willingly, like on a shuttle. I admire anyone who does that. The beauty of outer space is incredible. it's there, but most of us cannot touch it or even feel how beautiful it truly must be. I concede that if I could go with the right person, then it would be an incredible experience, one that would be an experience of a lifetime. I do love adventure with all my heart. This music is so beautiful, it makes one feel like they do have that opportunity to go out there, where all is beautiful peace. When Andre takes us out there with him in this beautiful music. then I gladly go, dream-style. The technical aspect of this portion of the program is awesome. It's breathtaking. There's the castle kind of floating in the sky, it has a blue glow about it, you have to see it to fully appreciate it. It's wonderful and beautiful all in the same breath. The stars flying by, the clusters of stars and the nebulas, and the electrified, bluish glow. Andre. I know in my heart that you must have been the "architect" of this. the idea was incredible!! I love this so very much. I do love space, and even though gravity is a definite comfort. I feel that the adventure would probably be unbelievable with someone. One of my favorite parts in this portion is where Andre is looking up into space, and he's sort of "electrified", the bluish, glowing lights are outlining his body. well, it's electrifying! I love it so much.

q.. Aimer - From Romeo and Juliet, composed by Gerard Presgruvic. - There's a castle, a window to dream out of. Renata starts to play the bassoon and it is so beautiful. This song is a peaceful, sort of melancholic song. When Andre plays his violin in this piece of music, it is just beautiful beyond words. He's in the castle, near the window and. the dreaming continues. *****

Whether in our dreams or in actuality, each location is the backdrop of a beautiful song. Andre has an incredible talent to choose the song as a perfect fit for the location he chose. The beauty in these locations is a dream in themselves. Watching Andre smile, watching his eyes as he tells of a story or a dream, puts us directly into another beautiful location, and we are there, just like that, dreaming. dreaming along with Andre and in anticipation of the next beautiful song Andre plays.

Every time I hear one of Andre's incredible songs, every time I hear his beautiful violin music, I dream. I'm in a dream world that doesn't quit until the song is finished; then the bubble pops and it's back to reality. until Andre's next beautiful piece of violin music begins.

Dreaming gives us hope and may even turn into reality depending on how much "life" we put into those dreams. I can't help dreaming when listening to this beautiful violin music that Andre plays. When the bow touches the strings, that beautiful sound comes to me and fills my life with happiness. I feel like going way out into the country and closing my eyes, listening to the nothingness of the world, and the only sound that I hear is Andre's beautiful violin music. and then I am free to dream.

You'll love "Dreaming", if you haven't heard it before. it's a very relaxed atmosphere with a lot of dreams, some have come to life, and some dreams waiting are for their moment.

I have quoted Andre Rieu several times in this review because I was so impressed with what he had said. I was impressed not only because of the personal aspect, but because I felt he really wanted us to understand the feelings that go into his music and why he plays it, and why he wishes for everyone to feel the music too. There is an incredible quality about Andre that is not found anywhere else. I can hear it every time he picks up his violin and plays a beautiful song.

The feeling he puts into his music is the quality we hear.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Don't you just love the "Special Features" section?

It's so entertaining.

In "Dreaming" they show a chronology in the making of this special; some of the songs, the set up, etc. I am always impressed with how much effort and work goes into the making of a program. The set up and the discipline it takes to complete something like this. all the details that need be attended to. My goodness, the experience and the professionalism it takes are beyond words.

I also enjoy very much, the relaxed joking, the laughing, and the fun, and then also, the seriousness of getting things "just right", to where, say, the music sounds perfect to their expert ear. That's why when we do have a new DVD to watch, we know that everything was done to make it as perfect as possible for everyone to enjoy.

I wish to say that Andre Rieu is as perfect in the behind-the-scenes making of a program as he is on stage. He's extremely versatile and truly has a "hands on" knowledge of all that goes into his specials. It's very impressive.

Thank you Andre Rieu.

Thank you for "Dreaming", without your dreaming we would not have had your beautiful violin music to fill our days and nights with. We would still dream, of course, but You have brought so much life to our world with your beautiful music.

AndreRieuFans.com
This page Adopted By
Marlene Warren