Music ~ Romantic Moments ~ DVD

Romantic Moments
DVD/CD

Andre Rieu is the epitome of Romance. Between Andre's expressions and the romance in this DVD, we could bottle it and live forever in pure love and happiness.

For a minute, take a look at the cover of "Romantic Moments". see the look on Andre's face, his smile and observe how he is standing there leaning against the column, the way he has his arms folded around his violin. White shirts, they have always been romantic to me. Doesn't he bring out the romance in us all?

Andre asks us, "Are you romantic?" That question takes us to the part of our hearts where feelings and beautiful things in life dwell. In my opinion, life should be enjoyed to the fullest, and of course being loving, happy, adventurous and romantic, is a part of life. Romance is, among many things, a prerequisite to love, and if you have love. then we have adventure and happiness too. They all go together! There is definitely the thrill of adventure in romance.

I do have my own personal ideas of what romance means of course, however, I searched to find a general definition but I wanted it close to what I felt
was a good description of the word "romantic". Typical dictionaries have various, "typical" definitions on the subject. but I really wanted a definition which fit into the realm of something more personal rather than a vague, overall meaning which could be applied to anything. I finally found a description that was close to what I wanted. and here are the three definitions that I liked the best:

1. Ardent emotional attachment or involvement between people. A strong, sometimes short-lived attachment, fascination, or enthusiasm for something.

2. A mysterious or fascinating quality or appeal, as of something adventurous, heroic, or strangely beautiful.

3.. Music -- A lyrical, tender, usually sentimental song or short instrumental piece.

If we embellish on these three definitions, place our own stories and/or people to these meanings, then I believe "romance" would be properly explained. that is. a personal type of "romance", which could apply to
whatever we choose. I believe in my heart that all these previous reasons can be applied to our personal meaning of romance, as well as to Andre Rieu and the JSO and their beautiful music, locations and personalities.

I would love to add a definition, which is unfortunately, not in any of the dictionaries that I've found. it would definitely be:

# 4. "Watching, hearing and enjoying Andre Rieu play his beautiful violin music"!

Have you ever wondered what makes you feel so good when Andre plays his violin, when you hear his music, when you see his expressions? You probably have a natural response, of course; maybe it's his smile, his voice, when he speaks as if each person was his only audience. Maybe it's Andre's way of making people feel important. Andre Rieu puts his all into making it
beautiful for us, making it romantic, making people feel good about the music. The gowns, the beautiful locations, the beautiful music, and all the beautiful people who are right in there with him making it happen for everyone across the world. It's all a part of the romance, the illusion that it's the only thing in the world that matters, and it IS. for that one moment we hear Andre play his beautiful, romantic violin music.

Andre Rieu plays many songs that are from the "romantic era" which originated in the late 18th century Western Europe. It stressed strong emotions and the individual imagination. I believe that the 18th century romantic era is still with us, well, it's with us in my heart anyway as long as I can hear Andre Rieu.

Andre captures the romantic essence of life. When Andre Rieu plays his violin and we watch his hands and his incredible expressions, one can feel the romance. He gives romance a chance to grow in our hearts and minds, he allows romance to be a part of the music, he breathes life into the music and then romance becomes a part of all of us.

As with all of Andre's violin music, it truly is challenging to find the words to describe how beautiful the music is on this dvd. Andre talks to us throughout, explaining what a song means to him in regards to romance. He tells us when he first heard a song, how much he enjoys playing it now, and what it means to him to be able to bring to us these romantic melodies.

I don't believe I could not have ever heard more beautiful renditions of this music than the way that Andre and the Johann Strauss Orchestra plays it. Whenever I wish to relax, this is the dvd that I play. the music is total relaxation. Even the way that Andre explains these melodies is very relaxing. I do believe that every person in the world should get this dvd and play it. learn it, and live it.

We have an extremely fast-paced life in America; it's truly unfortunate because we don't have as much of an opportunity any longer to take things one day at a time. I feel that to be romantic you have to "feel" it and it has to be important enough in your mind to actually "live" it.

What is there about the romance of beautiful violin music that brings our hearts and thoughts to a place where we don't ever wish to leave? Is it the soft sounds. the way it's played, the way that Andre plays it? The quiet beauty we picture as the music plays? As I watch Andre play his violin, I get a picture of pure romance. When he plays. romance fills the air and I become at peace in my heart and mind and there is nothing in the world that matters except that wonderful moment I am feeling.

What more could we ask of a program, than to have the incredible Andre Rieu play this beautiful music for us?

If "Romantic Moments" doesn't put you in a romantic mood, then there is nothing that will. So sit back in a comfortable chair. a glass of wine would be very nice. and let the romance begin.

THE SONGS OF "ROMANTIC MOMENTS"

The songs we hear in this program are consistent with the idea of romance. listening to them is an experience that everyone should enjoy to the utmost of their fantasies.

There are ten songs on this dvd. I never tire of hearing any songs that are as romantic as these.

a.. Spharenklang -- Written by: Josef Strauss. I could not find out what it means. I really tried. This song is only 52 seconds long on the dvd. On the cd this song is 7:49 minutes long. After listening to this song for a time, I began to look forward to trying to understand what impressions I could get from it. I began to think about why it was so important to try to figure it out. I didn't have an answer at first. The more that I listened, the more I tried. One day it came to me. the word that best describes this song in my mind was "anticipation". There is a kind of excitement with "anticipation" don't you think? I believe that it is the adventure in all of us that makes anticipation something that we all need. it makes life a mystery to a degree. Life would be very boring without some kind of anticipation and adventure to heighten our existence. This song heightens my curiosity each time it builds up to a certain point, then it stops, then builds up again. only to stop. And finally at exactly 5 minutes and 38 seconds into the song I get what I have been waiting for. it's pure anticipation that has found it's moment, the adventure comes to life and it makes me very happy. I love this song so much and always look forward to it.
I look forward to that one moment that I have been waiting for. it never fails me! I have so much fun with this song, waiting. anticipating. this is a great song to "conduct" as I drive down the road.

b.. Serenata - Written by Enrico Toselli - Beautiful Serenata. and the sound of the Nightingale. together. What a wonderful song this is. I fell in love with it the first time I heard it. Andre, your expressions, as always, gets to me as you play this wonderful, extremely romantic song. It's such a beautiful piece of music, and so peaceful. I love the bird. the little guy is so appropriate while listening to Serenata.

c.. Love Theme from "Romeo and Juliet" - Written by Nino Rota. I remember so well. I was 15, and being a lover of romance even then, I wanted to see this movie so badly. I saw it and of course was very disappointed that it ended so tragically, although I was not surprised because I knew of the story previously. I think maybe I was hoping that it would have been re-written for the show, that is the "romantic" in me. but I loved the music so much and could not get enough of it. Beautiful music, much love between two beautiful people. all was fantastic. This is such a beautiful song and will always be a favorite of mine. I enjoy very much Andre's expressions in various romance-filled scenes.

d.. Plaser D'amour - Written by Giovanni Battista Martini. The cello is a very beautiful instrument and we hear it in this song very much. It's a very beautiful song and very enjoyable.

e.. Song of the Lake - Written by Antonin Dvorak - This is another one of my favorite songs. It's so romantic and beautiful. I love watching Andre play this one in the moonlight. talk about romantic! Like I say, Andre Rieu is the epitome of romance. By the lake, moonlight shining down. how romantic can we get? Not much more romantic than this, for sure.

f.. Etude Opus10, #3 in E Major - Written by Frederic Chopin - This is another one of my favorites. it is such a beautiful song. Jo Hujits, my goodness how beautiful he plays the piano. We have all heard him many times before, and as I hear him play this music, then I am at total peace. Andre is by the window playing his violin and Jo Hujits is playing the piano in an incredibly, romantic, beautiful dream room that is the picture of total romance. It is a dream room where we could spend hours at peace with our beautiful dreams.

g.. O Mio Bambino Caro - Written by Giacomo Puccini - There is so much I could say about this song. We remember Carmen Monarcha singing this song in "Live in Tuscany", she sang so beautifully and we all became instant fans. In this version, Andre and the JSO are playing without any lyrics. It's still an incredibly beautiful song. The JSO is sitting near each side of a large stairway and Andre is in the middle of them all, playing his beautiful violin, his incredible expressions and romance fills the air and we are back
to peace and happiness once again.

h.. Meine Lippen, Sie Kussen So Heiss - Written by Franz Lehar - This song starts out being not too romantic, by the end of the song it becomes very romantic, which is the point of this song. Andre tells us that it's ok to "quarrel", because it can be so romantic when we make up. I never quarreled with my husband, so I have never experienced this side of the song, however, I can see where it would be very enjoyable to make up! I enjoy this song very much. the romantic side. now I can take that very nicely and then enjoy the song to the fullest.

i.. Adagio from Violin Concerto # 3 - Written by Mozart - Another incredibly beautiful song. There are so many, and I feel I'm being so redundant. but as I have said before. it's so very hard to describe something so beautiful as this music, using different terms and words each and every time. I wonder many times, how can we hear so many beautiful and romantic songs? Oh how beautiful this song is. Andre and his beautiful violin, filling our hearts and with total happiness. I don't know of anyone as romantic as Andre playing his incredible violin music. It's ok to be macho. some need it, but romance. it's endless in making me happy.

j.. Largo, "Aus Der Neuen Welt" From Symphony # 9, 'From The New World" - Composed by Antonin Dvorak, of course, I almost know his songs. they are very beautiful, and I absolutely love listening to Andre play Dvorak's music. What can I say about this song. it ranges anywhere from peaceful and romantic
all the way to very melancholic. It can, and it has, brought tears to my eyes if I think of the melancholy. but then I place a happy, peaceful story to this music and then it's an incredibly beautiful song filled with romance. I truly love songs like this one, and even though a song can bring a tear to our eyes, there is also a happy side. Throughout this song there are pictures of family, home, quiet moments, and as Andre says about it, it's an "end of the day song. to pause for thought." This can be a melancholic song, but so very beautiful too.

The songs on this dvd are very romantic, the beautiful locations and music, the moonlight all make this dvd really wonderful. With Andre talking to us about the romance he sees and feels in these songs. one cannot help but become wrapped up in the moment.

I must say that those who had a special something in their hearts that inspired them to compose such music must have been true romantics. I also say that Andre Rieu keeps this music and the romance alive for us each time we hear him play, each time his hands touch his violin the music fills the air and we have those precious moments of happiness. Is there ever a time that we can listen to this music and not be overwhelmed?

Thank you Andre Rieu, for another wonderful experience, this time in the life of "Romance" as we listen to you and your beautiful orchestra plays songs that touch our hearts and fills our lives with pleasure. You do bring us happiness!

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Review Provided By:
Marlene Warren

Romantic Moments ~ CD

Love Theme From Romeo & Juliet
Song To The Moon
Komm Mit Mir Ins Chambre Separee
Etude From OP.10 No.3 In E Major
O Mio Babbino Caro
Londonderry Air
Adagio From Violin Concerto No.3 In G Major
Spharenklange (Music Of The Spheres)
Meine Lippen, Sie Kussen So Heiss
Plaisir D'Amour
Wiener Lien
Adagio From Clarinet Concert In A Major
Serenata
Die Letzte Rose
Far From Home, Largo From The "New World" Symphony
Reprise ... Love Theme From Romeo & Juliet

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