André Rieu - Rieu Royale: an album guide
André Rieu's new album is a concert recording from the coronation of King Willem Alexander and his wife Maxima earlier this year from Amsterdam, featuring all sorts of fantastic waltzes and special surprises along the way.
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1. Coronation Waltz
What a way to kick off - a brand new waltz for a brand new monarchy, and written by André himself especially for the occasion.
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2. Wilhelmus
And then, from the the brand-new to the staunchly traditional. The Dutch national anthem rang out across Museum Square in the heart of Amsterdam to get the revellers in the mood.
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3. The Canals of Amsterdam
Another salute to his beloved capital city, André and his Johann Strauss Orchestra rip through this dedication to the splendour of those Amsterdam waterways.
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4. Second Waltz
Shostakovich's Waltz No. 2 is a live favourite for André and his fans alike, often prompting bouts of singing and waltzing in the aisles as soon as that famous saxophone solo kicks in!
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5. Radetzky March
Complete with splendid backing vocals and a conga around the arena (honestly), the atmosphere by this point in the concert was definitely kicking off.
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6. Emperor Waltz
Returning to his beloved Strauss, the Emperor Waltz is another Rieu favourite that seems to fit the coronation occasion absolutely perfectly.
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7. Auld Lang Syne
It's not New Year's Eve, but who cares when you're marking the coronation of a new king? André certainly doesn't, so get ready to link arms, everyone…
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8. Trumpet Voluntary
He's been known to play this one for processions of Empresses through Amsterdam in the past, so why not honour the new King Willem and his wife Maxima in the same way?
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9. Don't Cry For Me, Argentina
Featuring the soprano Mirusia Louwerse on vocals, this Andrew Lloyd Webber classic is synonymous with great world leaders - the perfect way for Amsterdam to welcome its new King.
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10. Time To Say Goodbye
This one isn't perhaps as relevant to welcoming a new King, but Mirusia Louwerse knocks it out of the park again.
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11. You'll Never Walk Alone
With a host of guest stars on this final track from Museum Square in Amsterdam, the new King Willem is warmly welcomed into his new role. His coronation concert, thanks to André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, is a celebration like no other!