Billy Joel Interview - What does Vienna Mean to Him? | Vienna 2020

In this interview, Billy Joel talks about his connection to Beethoven and Vienna and he explains the meaning of "Vienna waits for you", one of his most famous songs.
Topics of this video:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Billy Joel on Beethoven
02:55 Vienna Waits for You - Meaning for Billy Joel (billy joel vienna)
Billy Joel has been a superstar for decades. As well as a fascinating personality. On Long Island, New York, the Grammy winner who has sold more than 82 million albums answered our questions about Beethoven and Vienna in May 2019. The “piano man” is touched by both topics: He talks with passion and spontaneously improvises on the piano. He plays Beethoven by heart. And reports that he grew up with Beethoven’s music and has Viennese ancestors. He used bars from Beethoven’s “Pathétique” in his song “This Night”. That he experienced jamming to classical music in Vienna. And much more...
Pop song with misunderstandings:
Ultravox did it, as did Leonard Cohen - and Vienna was already a frequent theme in Falco’s lyrics. There are lots of pop songs that mention Vienna. The most moving of all? Billy Joel’s piano ballad “Vienna” from 1977. Although “Vienna” is also probably the most often misunderstood and misinterpreted Vienna song of all. The song is neither a general ode to the city’s beauty, nor is the chorus line “Vienna Waits for You” meant as a call to city tourists. And Joel certainly isn’t dedicating the song to young Mozart, as some have thought. Joel actually describes a certain attitude towards life in “Vienna”, which is based on a very personal experience. The city as a metaphor.
Vienna stirs feelings:
Billy Joel about the song’s message: "Which is really what the song is about: Slow down, look around you and have some gratitude for the good things in your life. That’s what Vienna represented to me." The background: Joel first came to Vienna as a 23-year-old in the 1970s to meet his father, who had moved here. They last saw each other when Joel was eight. For the musician, this was the foundation of a very emotional relationship with the city. Vienna gave him the sense of having arrived.
Vienna and music - they belong together. The focus in 2020 is on those artists and institutions that make Vienna the world capital of music. It started long ago, for example with Ludwig van Beethoven, whose 250th birthday will be celebrated in 2020. He was a "musical Viennese by choice" - having chosen Vienna as the focal point of his life and creativity. Like him, Aleksey Igudesman - Impresario of the Beethoven year - and other world stars of the present have chosen Vienna as their special place of music. Billy Joel, Yuja Wang, Hans Zimmer and Joshua Bell are just some of today's Viennese by choice who were interviewed by Aleksey Igudesman. Billy Joel gave us this exclusive interview on May 13th, 2019 in Long Island, NY.
musik2020.wien.info
#BillyJoelInterview #ViennaWaitsForYou #ViennaTourism #Vienna2020 #BillyJoelVienna
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Music:
00:00 - 01:50 Beethovens 7. Symphony with the English Chamber Orchestra, Dirigent: Julian Rachlin
03:39 - 05:20 Beethovens Violin Concert with the English Chamber Orchestra, Violin Soloist: Julian Rachlin
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Credits:
Impresario: Aleksey Igudesman
Director/cameraman: Stefan Wuernitzer
Hair and make-up: Chante Cutter
Sound engineer: Patrick Southern
1st AC: Daniel Tot
Editor: Stefan Wuernitzer
Sound mixer: Emanoel Bruckmüller
Music: Billy Joel, Julian Rachlin
Graphics and animation: seite zwei
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[@marinaandrostchukperez9991]

So for him, Vienna means the place where he reconnects and finally ends up discovering himself and how big and important things are in his life at that moment. And how we must slow down sometimes just to see how far we've come, how many good things we've been handed, and how good life can be if we just take a moment to appreciate it.

[@esparda07]

This is exactly what I needed to hear during my quarter life crisis. Thank you for summing this up.

[@MonMoon27]

Vienna is one of my favorite songs, I have just been to that wonderful city last December, and I played it over and over, alongside Beethoven. Something inside me changed, something I didn’t know I had emerged.

[@barbaranoelnaou2511]

Thank you for your love and kindness towards my Music performances , Kindly join me here [e-mail]

[@mrsyorkshire3216]

Billy Joel, right up there with Beethoven and Mozart. A living legend. x

[@Wtahc]

yup, was very saddened to hear of his passing

[@mrsyorkshire3216]

@@Wtahc Thankfully Billy is still with us, hence I refer to him as a 'living legend'!

[@brink1181]

Kao he’s not dead 😂

[@bherber]

Careful Mrs Yorkshire, pop star doesn't equal Beethoven or Mozart

[@marcthasharc]

@@bherber Billy Joel isn't a pop star lol

[@franziskamahler5557]

one of a kind man and musician ♥️🎵 vienna waits for you for sure.

[@barbaranoelnaou2511]

Thank you for your love and kindness towards my Music performances , Kindly join me here [e-mail]

[@gregpearson1939]

The brilliance of Billy Joel is his influences stretch from the Beatles to Beethoven!! He is a brilliant rock musician and also a brilliant classical artist!!

[@marycruzgarciavaldez1965]

I plan to name my daughter Vienna after this song and the meaning it has for me

[@themacocko6311]

Beautiful

[@MollyT119]

We are sitting here listening to him talk about Beethoven almost 200 years on. And in the 23rd century, a future artist will undoubtedly be talking about Billy Joel. Good music is forever. Billy is someone who can not only write and play, he's someone who understands the passion and the nuances of music instinctively. He has such a rare gift and is quite honestly a musical genius, and an incredible human being. ❤

[@themacocko6311]

Lol. I heard Billy Joel say once that he still hasn't forgiven himself for not being Beethoven...😮 I thought, I still haven't forgiven myself for not being Billy Joel.

[@Dina-nm1nx]

This was a revelation...I never knew Billy Joel was so interesting...and so knowledgeable and versed in classical music....he has a lot of facets....

[@ee.es00]

He writes his own classical music

[@blueskysailing]

Yes indeed! He's amazing.

[@SW.stefaniasilkarts1906]

This is so true. Vienna is a city of arts, but most of all, a true city of Music. I am so happy to have lived there, made friends, painted on stage... Vienna was good to me, and I love her for that. Great connection with Vienna and Beethoven, even though he was Geman, ups. I wish I could send my painted (Young) Beethoven on silk to Billy Joel as a present, and thank him for all his great Music, and comfort throughout the years, especially during my cancer in England. #Billy Joel, #Vienna I both love you! Thank you for your energy of beauty and inspiration.

[@atpcliff]

I didn't realize that Billy Joel is SO BRILLIANT!!! Glad I watched this. Got here from watching clips from "13 Going On 30"...someone used this song, and what Billy Joel is saying, is a perfect match for the main point of the film.

[@themacocko6311]

Billy is arguably the greatest singer/songwriter in rock history. If you are not familiar with his work, do youself a favor and start listening to his stuff.

[@mattiadellamico888]

I love when Billy talk about his inspirators (Beethoven, Ray Charles ecc...), because you can feel how much he admire them. So passionate.

[@thelevisullivan]

His admiration for Ray Charles is so great, he middle-named his eldest daughter Alexa after him.

[@hoomanbroomand9837]

Why is everything about this video so mystical and emotional? Great music has great stories behind it indeed!

[@erinseymour6806]

My first concert was a Billy Joel concert. My date was awful but Billy Joel’s concert was amazing!!

[@vanessajazp6341]

I went to Vienna on a honeymoon because of my love and admiration for Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and many other greats who were there at one time or another.

[@jurajkovac9965]

Hi Billy, please come and play in Vienna in 2020.

[@barbaranoelnaou2511]

Thank you for your love and kindness towards my Music performances , Kindly join me here [e-mail]

[@Yvngjuuli4]

oh my gosh, this was beautiful interview. I’m a little 4 years late. lol but we must protect billy joel at all cost. he’s such a beautiful soul. Everything comes fully circle always and i’m part of the younger generation almost a young adult. Vienna just relates so much to my life right now.

[@bobsutube]

I'm learning Vienna on the piano right now. So beautiful

[@OutstandnBrandon]

What an incredible thinker. It bleeds all through his music. Vienna is my favorite song of all times

[@kellieschramm5321]

Gosh I love Billy so much

[@flok474]

Großartig!

[@sharonnicoletti502]

I love your song Vienna. I was in the third row 95ish when you asked.. should I play Vienna or IR. Obviously you played IR while you were reading the hotel menu. Bless you Billy Joel. You are my friend and you don't even know it. Faithful listener to side B. Been to at least 12 concerts with you and Elton. Cheers, Sharon Sharon

[@johnmichael_]

Passionate people creating beautiful things that inspire other passionate people...gotta love it

[@92Jaghk]

Thank you Billy for that. I loved that so much. I always wanted to know what that song meant. And that was magic.

[@malleyc]

A musical genius. Too often overlooked. The older I get, the more I appreciate the music he wrote.

[@mattandjackwonderpotion]

I love when he's talking about Vienna because it is so special to him 💖

[@1Melody1963]

A Class Act, is Mr. Joel.

[@Benjaminsaetang]

Billy Joel is a bridge to life, should we choose to cross it.

[@JoeyWitter]

Vienna is one of my very favorite songs💕

[@buraktulbentci1787]

Vienna deserves praise. I hope, I can visit in 2020, it's been forever since I have been there :)

[@carolmurphy4627]

My dad believed Beethoven was the greatest composer too. I grew up on Beethoven, and have often wondered if this is why I love Billy Joel's music so much - those influences come through in the music. Billy is the Beethoven of our times, I think. He is so hard on himself, but his songs are incredible.

[@YZJY]

This popped up as an ad in another video. I had to pause and watch it. I so enjoyed the ad I searched it out on its own to watch it again, and here I am. I enjoyed it as much the second time as the first. I love seeing modern musicians appreciating and paying tribute to the great composers of the past.

[@michaeljacksonearthangel5849]

This Night 💝 I have a feeling the spirit of Beethoven gave him that download. So cool!

[@lindaderry8469]

Bill Joel is one of America's greatest composers and player of America. His music is so good he's so smart

[@paola3518]

Vienna means a lot for me. Its a mesmerizing song! Billy Joel deserves so much praise for his incredible lyrics ❤

[@Vienna]

We couldn't agree more! Billy Joel's 'Vienna' is a beautiful tribute that captures the essence of our city in such a poignant way. It’s wonderful to hear how much this song means to you.

[@wereddafox3249]

Beethoven was indeed the greatest composer in human history. Billy Joel is so right! Mozarts music is perfect and he was a genius but Beethoven is pure, honest and full of emotions. I am from Vienna and always had a strong connection to Beethovens music. I recently discovered that my great grandfather, who had to immigrate to Shanghai during the Shoah, was a huge Beethoven fan and from all his belongings in Vienna he was allowed to bring only one thing abroad. so he chose his small but still heavy Beethoven statue and became a singer in Shanghai. After the Shoah he came back to Vienna. I think thats amazing cause i feel more connected to my great grandfather now. And yes, Vienna waits for you :)

[@bherber]

Yeah but how do you not know if Mozart had to work hard for it & was not just a "genius." This genius & prodigy talk gets thrown around too much.

[@rainmanjr2007]

And the sea, sadly, waits for Vienna. So it goes. "You know that when the truth gets told that you can do what you want or you can just get old" is one of the best pieces of verse ever written. Right up there with, "Don't remind me of my failures. I...had not forgotten them" (Jackson Browne, obviously).

[@jackiehughes1879]

Oh my goodness! The pic of the brother at 3:25 looks so much like a younger Billy! Family resemblances are so amazing!!

[@violynnkuo]

This is such a great video. 🎶 Thank you! Love listening to Billy talk so passionately about Beethoven. And he’s a great musician himself! “They were jamming to Classical music!” 🎶 💗

[@barbaranoelnaou2511]

Thank you for your love and kindness towards my Music performances , Kindly join me here [e-mail]

[@mamm3573]

Vienna ranked as the most liveable cities in 2023, located in the unfriendliest country. and I think it's beautiful ❤

[@mjblakemusic]

that was the most beautiful thing I ever heard

[@chloejohnson2290]

vienna makes me feel so heard, thank you for such a beautiful song

[@johnheart6890]

The Vienna School is alive and well. Thank God for the old giants - the new giants get to stand on the shoulders of the old, and the circle is complete. Joel’s sing is so perfect, I imagine him singing it to young Mozart. It took Mozart awhile, but he finally did get to Vienna!

[@charlieharpman2107]

Love his music. He sounds very different here from his other interviews .

[@gavindremusic]

I love to see him light up and share what has given him so much joy and intrigue !!!❤❤

[@riccardoangeli802]

Ogni tanto riguardo questo video ... Mi piace ..Billy ha talento anche nello spiegare la musica ..... Ha musicalità nella testa nel cuore nelle mani ..... Piano Man 🎹👏

[@ljacobs357]

Beautiful city. Beautiful song.

[@RitterdesBlutes]

I never saw Billy Joel live and I hope he will come for a concert to Vienna. If not I will have to fly over the ocean and see him at Madison Square Garden

[@gabyguala]

Lovely your music and your stories. You are a great musician!!!!

[@brandmalko4761]

شكر بحجم السماء للي ترجم الفيديو للعربية♥️

[@fs55261]

This interview is almost as beautiful as him!

[@serge0812]

Cool story. I’m currently visiting Vienna for the first time and I was wondering what’s the story behind this song, so I searched on KZbin and found this video.

[@nadiasimmons5403]

Great interview!

[@belindadrake5487]

BEETHOVEN; the ABSOLUTE MASTER. Seeing this, l was absolutely GOBSMACKED! 😃 He has been my hero since l was an embryo. My DAD was a music nut; never played an instrument; but he was a professional listener. Many Saturday nights DAD and his best friend, drinking red wine, would always listen to BEETHOVEN, until about 5am, where l remember sitting in his lap at about 3 years old. DAD gave me the passion to become a musician. For that ( & everything else), l have my BEAUTIFUL DAD TO THANK. A few weeks ago, l lost my PRECIOUS DAD, my Best Friend, & l feel broken. 😭💦 So DAD, until we catch up again, l will dedicate this wonderful legacy YOU GAVE ME. DAD, 💔 a quote for you ; “ever thine ever mine ever ours”- BEETHOVEN

[@barbaranoelnaou2511]

Thank you for your love and kindness towards my Music performances , Kindly join me here [e-mail]

[@ScottlandShaffner0423]

A beautiful tribute to your Dad, Belinda. My parents were likewise also very musical...

[@neilf6782]

Beethoven stands alone. He is a pillar of western civilisation.. Your Dad sound like an amazing gentlemen. Would have loved to have been part of those listening parties. Condolences for your loss...

[@belindadrake5487]

@@ScottlandShaffner0423 OH THANK YOU SOOOO . That means a lot to me…. I was given a huge portrait of this beautiful man. There is, & never will be a composer, genius, passionate man like him. I like to think that my DAD & BEETHOVEN are ‘looking after me’. He has saved me & driven me crazy during the years. People who hear the rubbish they put out now, are missing out. Their bad luck! You are so kind. 🎹🥰🌟✨

[@belindadrake5487]

@@neilf6782 Thank you so so much. DAD & l were both musical ‘nuts’. We’d go to Sydney Opera House to listen to his music together. Not my mum, or siblings. I will never ever forget those precious times. Thank you for sharing this with me.. 🎹🥰✨🌟

[@josedinis9418]

Sometimes I think that justice was never truly done and tribute paid to this man, even if his fame is immense. But the fame of many others is also immense and it is not deserved most of the time. All my youth, loves and disappointments were always blessed by his music. In this video I finally understand where it comes from, not is huge talent and imagination, but the inspiration that the culture he received allowed us to identify his music so much and so well. For all this a THANK YOU BILLY JOEL.

[@Sarah-rn1nw]

Brilliant, brilliant man

[@maxlucado6700]

Genial..... Simplemente Genial.........

[@apachecffc4249]

Billy Joel is Beethoven....we love you brother .

[@selimusic-games-4520]

Great dude

[@user-tu8kq4is7q]

❤

[@gregoryyoung8819]

I grew up listening to Billy Joel's Music and reading his lyrics. That's what makes me the productive decent human being I am today.

[@didisolo2178]

Vienna waits for u Billy !!! ✌😉

[@paulblinstrub3256]

my wife is named vienna-we have been married 38 yrs on 9/1/22-love this song

[@ushouldntjudgeme3683]

Awesome!

[@Vienna]

Thank you!

[@riccardoangeli802]

Per Piano Man la musica e' un gioco facile 🎹👏

[@pattisimmons67]

Sometimes the world swallows you up and you forget who you are. You forget what made you who you are and why you are who you are. One song opens the door again. I have never left the states and probably will never be able to but I know, Vienna waits for me too. Who knows, I may still get there.....

[@user-cc6hx3cx3z]

Мне очень нравятся песни Билли. Спасибо.

[@barbaranoelnaou2511]

Thank you for your love and kindness towards my Music performances , Kindly join me here [e-mail]

[@eugenemurray2940]

The Struggles His Beloved... Oh The Joy Ode to... Gud Ol' Ludvig His Magnum Opus 9th Symphony...

[@riccardoangeli802]

Piano Man miglior songwriter del secolo passato

[@candelise]

If you have a vinyl copy of The Stranger, keep playing Vienna until the grooves start to crackle and the intro will sound better and better as it begins to feel like a piece of music from the Thirties!

[@arcticfoxvikingseaking2206]

Wow! So deep. I thought it was to his daughter. Only so many hours in a day, you can't become successful in 1 day. Vienna here I come.

[@MominMalikYT]

What recording is the Beethoven Violin Concerto in the background?

[@pisa6992]

I have vienna in my skin forever

[@mjm5081]

✌ ❤ 🎶 🌎 👏

[@iammaximus614]

🎵 When will you realize…… Vienna waits for you 🎶 - billy joel

[@rasbina2139]

What title is the melody played at 1:50?

[@rasbina2139]

What title is the melody from?

[@gatorcurtis]

Copland, Bernstein, Simon, Joel... the Mt Rushmore of American Composers

[@Mexicanaenelmundo]

[@barbaranoelnaou2511]

Thank you for your love and kindness towards my Music performances , Kindly join me here [e-mail]

[@bunta2871]

I have very very same feeling. So Mozalt is God and Beethoven is the best. I love Billy, I love the piano man.

[@andrewash1802]

Cant play any instrument for my life so Billy plz come and teach me 😂😂😂

[@mpweiher]

Silly question: the classical music piece/theme playing at around the 4:00 mark when he talks about closing the circle and his record is being put on...what is it? Obviously a very well-known / popular piece, but I can't place it right now...

[@Vienna]

Hi mpweiher, not a silly question at all. It's "Beethovens Violinkonzert" with the English Chamber Orchestra, Violin Soloist: Julian Rachlin. Thanks for watching our interview and hope to see you soon in Vienna!

[@neilf6782]

It's the cadenza at the end of the 1st movt. This is a different recording but it is at approx 24.30 mark. Hope that helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmbclXqMg86FZtkfeature=shared

[@user-wm7mw1zd3j]

My Name is Kara Tobey. I only sing harmony with my talented brother. But I wright. I could wright some words to that. I read a lot of books and wright poetry.

[@TeeToes]

Billy joel dont age much..he still looks the same for the past 10 years or so

[@seanscanlon9067]

But that's maybe because he looked shall we say, worldly-wise 10 years ago already?

[@neilmcmurdock1107]

Lud was born in Bonn

[@epmnepmn8636]

please someone id all tracks? even the one he plays on the piano!

[@wereddafox3249]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3ezaIGlqLGrodk&ab_channel=ClassicalScores thats the part Billy Joel plays on the piano.

[@rokhumbeu]

Which melody is this one - 1:47?

[@howtodoitdude1662]

It’s a Beethoven song. Billy took part of it and used it in one of his songs called ‘this night.’

[@johngalt6838]

My logic says Mozart put all the right notes at all the right times but it doesn't move me. Beethoven strikes right through the heart to the central nervous system, capturing the soul. Sorry Wolfgang but Beethoven's the bees knees.

[@joshs3916]

2024?

[@marcbaron1897]

When Beethoven went deaf his friends told him to stop composing. Good for us he didn't listen. :)

[@barbaranoelnaou2511]

Thank you for your love and kindness towards my Music performances , Kindly join me here [e-mail]

[@riccardoangeli802]

Billy Joel= Beethoven. Elton John = Mozart

[@bherber]

Billy, stop putting on a fake accent... Just talk how you normally talk.

[@yiasemide]

IKR. I don't recognize his voice here.

[@bherber]

@@yiasemide just don't like the pretentious & smugness

[@keve4253]

what are you talking about, this is how he talks 100% of the time

[@howtodoitdude1662]

You are always commenting negatively about Billy and yet you play his music? WTH?

[@bherber]

@@howtodoitdude1662 - Lol, you need to watch more videos to see that my comments are overwhelmingly positive. Those cigars are starting to rot your brain

[@thebonvivant9027]

❤