500 platinum awards worldwide

André Rieu reaches magic mark of 500 platium awards worldwide!
Universal surprises the violinst and conductor with a special award.

André Rieu has set a new milestone, and one which is not to be found anywhere else in the international world of music: Since the beginning of his extraordinary career, and since the start of the partnership with Polydor/Universal in 1995, the violinist and conductor has reached the magic number of 500 platinum awards in total for worldwide sales of albums and DVDs.

Universal Music took the opportunity, following a concert in the "Mercedes Benz Arena" in Berlin, to honor this global star with an exceptional and unique award. Presented by Tom Bohne, President Music Universal Music Germany, André Rieu received a stunning "Chrome Violin", to mark his remarkable sales success generated all over the world, and in gratitude for the faithful and fruitful collaboration.

Tom Bohne, President Music Universal Music Germany: "André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra are amongst the most successful artists in the popular classical music field. He's a global star. But what's even more important: When he performs, the people forget everything around them and they fully merge into the music. We're proud and fortunate to accompany such an awesome artist like André all over these years."

André Rieu: "My Johann Strauss Orchestra and myself are absolutely happy and proud of this special award. From my deepest heart I would like to thank all of our wonderful und loyal fans all over the world, who have made this success possible. Our partner Universal Music did a fabulous job over the years and I’m also very grateful for their support."

His first album "Strauss & Co." meant the breakthrough in the German market for this always friendly musician from Maastricht and his Johann Strauss Orchestra. Other countries, and even other continents followed. Beside his home country and Germany, in Europe – especially France and Great Britain - his albums and concert tickets always sell fast. Equally in North and South America or in Australia - here he also regularly breaks sales records and thrills the largest audiences. To date, he has sold 40 million albums and he performs in front of 600.000 people every year

In November of last year André Rieu released his latest album entitled "Amore", consisting of 18 brand new studio tracks. In addition, the anniversary DVD "Magic of Maastricht - 30 Years Johann Strauss Orchestra" has been issued, which wonderfully shows the romantic open-air atmosphere during the annually Maastricht residency concerts. They have been scheduled once again for July this year with a record number of 13 events. From March onwards André Rieu and his Orchestra are back on the road for another global tour, where they will appear for in Mexico City, Tel Aviv, Cologne, Salzburg, Zagreb, Kraków, Prague, Vienna, Copenhagen, New York, Detroit, Washington, Montreal, Buenos Aires, Melbourne, Sydney ... He's truly a music conquerer of the world!

Photo (left to right)
Mark Wilkinson (VP International Strategy & Artists Development, Global Classics), Sandra Leonhardt (Senior Manager International Marketing Universal Music Germany), Dickon Stainer (President and CEO of Global Classics Universal Music), André Rieu, Tom Bohne (President Music Universal Music Germany), Graham Parker (President Universal Music Classics USA). Photocredit: André Rieu Productions.