Music stars on Beethoven | Vienna

Ludwig van Beethoven would have celebrated his 250th birthday in 2020. His revolutionary music is heard around the world now as much as ever. We talked with the music geniuses of our time (Yuja Wang, Hans Zimmer, Rebekka Bakken, Joshua Bell and Billy Joel) and they told us why Beethoven is still one of their greatest sources of inspiration.

#Beethoven #LudwigVanBeethoven #BeethovensBirthday #BeethovenInVienna

Happy Birthday, Ludwig! – Beethoven’s B-Day Secrets
1770: The year of Beethoven's birth. One of the greatest musical geniuses of all time. But when is his B-day actually? Well, it all begins with the fact that we don't know when we should celebrate Beethoven and his anniversary. It is merely recorded that a child called Ludwig van Beethoven (he didn't have any other first names – unlike his classical peer Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart) was baptized on December 17 in Bonn, Germany. Given that newborns received the sacrament of baptism as soon after birth as possible in those days (infant mortality was high, the church blessing was top priority), only December 16 or 17 seem likely dates.

Read more on Ludwig van Beethoven here: https://www.wien.info/en/music-stage-shows/beethoven-2020/birthday-beethoven

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All ears on: Vienna | Vienna 2020. Capital of music.

Yuja Wang
The world-class pianist Yuja Wang thinks music characterizes Vienna. She’s also a huge fan from Beethoven, the nonconformist, who has got a place in her heart forever.

Find out more about Yuja Wang on: https://musik2020.wien.info/en-us/yuja-wang


Hans Zimmer
The German native Hans Zimmer is one of the great stars in Hollywood’s soundtrack business, with Oscars, Grammies and Golden Globes on his shelf. He wants to let people know that Beethoven is really, indisputably, the greatest genius of music in any form.

Find out more about Hans Zimmer on: https://musik2020.wien.info/en-us/hans-zimmer


Rebekka Bakken
Beethoven is Rebekka Bakken’s favorite composer, who occupied an important position throughout her life. She gushes over his melodies, which are often also found in today's music.

Find out more about Rekekka Bakken on: https://musik2020.wien.info/en-us/rebekka-bakken


Joshua Bell
He is the music director at the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields in London, lives in New York and dreams about Vienna. About Beethoven’s music he says: “You feel moved, you feel glad to be alive, you feel like you want to kill yourself. A little bit of all of those things all at once."

Find out more on Joshua Bell on: https://musik2020.wien.info/en-us/joshua-bell


Billy Joel
He has been a superstar for decades. As well as a fascinating personality. Joel plays Beethoven by heart. And reports that he grew up with Beethoven’s music. Fun fact? Might not be a coincidence that he has Viennese ancestors.

Find out more about Billy Joel on: https://musik2020.wien.info/en-us/billy-joel

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