On July 3, violinist André Rieu received the Grand Gold Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria. Awarded by Marianna Klicka, president of the District of Vienna, Rieu received the decoration because of his efforts to promote Viennese music around the world.

Along with his Johann Strauss Orchestra, Rieu then performed the world premiere of ‘And The Waltz Goes On’, penned by film legend Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Hopkins came all the way from Los Angeles to attend the premiere. See the performance here.

Hopkins has written music for many years, but the acting star composed his latest piece, ‘And The Waltz Goes On’, with Rieu specifically in mind to perform it. Rieu was so enthusiastic about the work that he immediately set plans in motion to record it, reportedly moving Hopkins’ wife to happy tears during the initial performance of the tune.

"I've been a great admirer of André Rieu for several years. He's a great musician. My wife and I had the same dream of meeting him one day, so I sent him some music that I wrote. It's a dream come true for me that André performed it with his orchestra. I'm totally knocked out by the result. It's even more than I expected!" says Anthony Hopkins about his cooperation with André Rieu.

The waltz will be on Rieu’s new album, slated for release in Australia later this year, and will be performed by Rieu at the concerts in his hometown Maastricht. Again Sir Anthony Hopkins will be present when André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra perform his waltz at the Vrijthof square.