Breathtaking Orchestral Performance of ‘Nearer My God to Thee’ Brings Audience to Tears

André Rieu and his orchestra performed a soul stirring version of ‘Nearer My God to Thee‘ that moved thousands of people to tears during a live concert.

nearer my god andre rieu

Many people know André Rieu as the “King of Waltz,” a title he earned by bringing classical music to millions of people around the world.

This Dutch violin player started the Johann Strauss Orchestra in 1987, and since then he has sold more than 40 million albums. While he often plays classical pieces, Rieu also performs sacred music that touches people’s hearts.

For this special concert, he chose the hymn ‘Nearer My God to Thee.’ Sarah Flower Adams wrote this beloved hymn in 1841, taking inspiration from the Bible story of Jacob’s dream about a ladder reaching to heaven in Genesis 28.

The song speaks to our desire to grow closer to God in both good times and hard times, and its message continues to touch hearts today.

The concert began softly with string instruments creating a gentle mood that made everyone lean in to listen. The violins and cellos played together beautifully, setting the stage for what was to come.

Then something remarkable happened. The wind orchestra, which stood facing the audience, joined in with their instruments. The deep sounds of bassoons and sousaphones mixed with the bright notes of trombones and trumpets filled the entire space with glorious music.

People throughout the audience started wiping tears from their eyes as the music spoke to their hearts. Even more touching was the sight of several musicians crying as they played their instruments.

Then a choir dressed in beautiful clothes stepped forward and began to sing the familiar words “Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.” The combination of voices and instruments created a moment where heaven felt very close to earth.

The impact of this performance has reached far beyond that concert hall. The video posted on YouTube has now been watched more than 3.2 million times, and thousands of people have shared how it touched their lives.

One person wrote, “In this world we living with all the chaos around us the best thing to do is draw nearer to our God to find true Peace.”

Another viewer shared these words: “There is Peace in worshiping GOD and feel HIS Presence. Amen.”

WATCH: André Rieu Orchestra Performs Breathtaking Rendition of ‘Nearer My God to Thee’

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Video not working?

Verse of the Day

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

1 Corinthians 13:1-3