André Rieu reveals waltz playing secrets

André Rieu has told John Evans, Editor of the Classic FM Magazine, that the secret to playing the waltz is “making it sound effortless”. He says the waltz is “like a mirror on life. All human emotion is in the waltz – melancholy, joy, romance, drama…”

A viral infection of the vestibular nerve forced Rieu to take some time out to rest and cancel his UK tour recently. 'Rest', said the violinist, "is a word that did not exist in my vocabulary until now".

Rieu shares this non-stop work ethic with Johann Strauss II, with whom he also shares the nickname the ‘Waltz King’. Asked to what extent he has been inspired by Strauss II, Rieu says: “He was an incredible musician but also a very clever businessman. He had three orchestras (I have one) and often performed with all of them in turn, in the same evening.”

André Rieu is following in Strauss II's businessman footsteps with considerable success. His albums have dominated the UK classical charts for months, he has his own line in merchandise and he conducts tours around the world. The postponed UK tour has now been rescheduled for April 2011, and his latest album, Moonlight Serenade, will be released on 15 November.

Read the complete interview with André Rieu in the December edition of the Classic FM Magazine, out on Tuesday 2 November.