Andre Rieu tows the line between classical music integrity and popular appeal. In a style of music where violinists are often treated as high priests, Rieu is known as the "king of the waltz". It's a moniker in which the Dutch musician and conductor takes great pride.

"We are opening the door for the classical music so that more people can listen to it," Rieu says. "And by playing waltzes and a little bit (of) humor, and (also) playing my music while conducting, things are easier (to appreciate) for the public than before."
 
(c) 2007 Kaj Verner

Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra will perform Sunday, April 15, at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall.

While Rieu declines to discuss the program, he acknowledges a debt to the Russian composer Shostakovich for his acclaimed "Jazz Suites". Rieu adapted a waltz from this work, and it became a hit in Holland.

Rieu describes his program in unique terms: It's not a pops concert, nor does it fit comfortably among the many variations of crossover music. Rather, it's a presentation that he has personally created.

"I'm not trying to do something," Rieu says, speaking from Maastricht in the Netherlands before embarking on a tour of 12 cities, the first of four trips the orchestra will make to the United States in 2007. "I do it from my heart because it's the way I feel how to (best) make music. I've been educated in classical music. (But) all my life I've been thinking, ‘My God, why is this so damn serious? Why couldn't it be a little bit more (informal)?' So that is, in fact, what I try to do. It's not that I'm putting a beat under the music where it doesn't belong. I play the beat as completely original. The only thing is, I smile a little bit."

The orchestra's repertoire reflects Rieu's sensibility. It has a strong popular flavor. "I will play classical music," he says. "I will play arias, (but) I will play waltzes (and) I will play polkas. I will play popular songs. Whatever you name, everything is in there. Making a program is of course an art. … It's like making love — you start softly, and then at the end there's the explosion."

(c) 2007 Kaj Verner

Rieu makes a clear distinction between his recording and performing careers. The former is carefully plotted, while the latter features spontaneity and exuberance.

"On the recording you have to have always a theme, always the romantic recording or the fiesta recording or the whatever recording," he says. "All my (fans) in the world know my concerts are … in fact always the same. I play a (variety of) music, but the atmosphere is always the same. I think the most important thing in concerts is that you grab the public, and you have them in your hand and in your heart. And you take them there and you hold them there until the last note."