Andre Rieu And His Johann Strauss Orchestra - Jolly Holiday (Universal)

There might not be the traditional Andre Rieu Christmas concerts this year, instead this bumper release has come as an early Christmas present to his fans.

A bonus DVD is a Christmas concert recorded in his home town of Maastricht. In the DVD the Dutchman takes the viewer behind the scenes to show how the winter wonderland was created. It is quite a magical site with Venetian chandeliers, over 50 fir trees, two ice rinks and a Christmas market.

On the CD Rieu covers Christmas standards such as The Holy City, O Holy Night, Walking in the Air, Jingle Bells, Mary’s Boy Child, Silent Night, White Christmas and concluding with We Wish You A Merry Christmas.

There are some others though that come as a surprise, such as Oh Happy Day and Can’t Help Falling in Love.

Yes, it is as cheesy as a big piece of Stilton eaten with a slice of Christmas cake, but there is no denying that somehow it all comes together and works well.

I rate the album 4 out of 5