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For the 77th birthday
Actually, Udo Jürgens (76) is known as a man at the piano. So it's surprising that he calls his autobiographical novel, which was filmed, "The Man with the Bassoon". But quickly it becomes clear: The bassoon man is a bronze figure, which was inherited from the grandfather's father and then the son Udo Jürgens. It is a witness of moving events: Russian Revolution, First and Second World Wars, a new beginning - and the rise of the moderate singer Udo Jürgen Bockelmann to the entertainer Udo Jürgens. For the broadcast of the two-parter "The Man with the Bassoon" tells the world star of war, love and life mistakes. The statuette could also tell about them. We met the world star Udo Jürgens for an interview :
First a book, then a movie about her family history. Why? Udo Jürgens: My family does not play the main role in this film, but the twentieth century, the most insane century that humanity has ever experienced. It is amazing that contemporary history is reflected in a single family: for example, that my grandfather brought Lenin to St. Petersburg. And similar stories that are historically great. Two wars, twice a new beginning. What is it like to see your life as a movie? Udo Jürgens : I was very afraid of this moment. But when I saw the scenes, I noticed that my tears were running down. It was so real and authentic. I was so touched. That has remained to this day. They were five years old when the war broke out ... Udo Jürgens : Yes, and Klagenfurt was bombed 48 times. I'll never forget that. As a child, I have constantly heard the flying associations. And the crash of bombs in the city and on the suburbs and industrial plants. How did you handle your fear? Udo Jürgens: When the planes came, I was looking for the sound on the piano, and the sound lying next to it, because the flyers were flying formation. My parents were shocked when they heard that. It sounded real. But for me it was like a self-therapy. As a child you are scared, and that was my way of coping with it. But - that's how I started playing the piano. From now on you have the deepest relationship in your life with the piano. In the movie you will therefore leave your first girlfriend. Udo Jürgens: If you like, Gitta was my first victim, without me wanting to make her a victim. I adored and loved her. We still have contact today. She gave me back the letters I wrote to her three years ago. When I saw what I wrote as a 20-year-old for love letters, that touched me unbelievably. Only now did I realize how important this woman was to me.
What does "victim" mean? Udo Jürgens: The possessed sacrifices his private life, he sacrifices his partners, because he lives only for the cause he wants to create. Possessed are not bad people, they are only obsessed with their idea. They sacrifice the things that make a life comfortable and contemplative. I'm just so obsessed. Has that settled? Udo Jürgens: Of course. I reached the things that I wanted to achieve. All the love that has lighted one's head and heart is seen differently in the course of life. I have experienced disappointment and disappointment. How do you think about this time now? Udo Jürgens: When you are young, you are storm and urge. And a storm-and-urge man does not approach reason with love, but plunges into the whole adventure. I was never faithful. But that was my life. I certainly made mistakes. But if I had not done it, I would not be able to sing about life. Are you happy that this time is over? Udo Jürgens: I am also glad that one is out of the financial calamities that one experiences as a young person. We have had nothing and certainly not after the lost war. My first car was an old VW Beetle, for which I borrowed 700 marks from my father. Within half a year, I had to pay this back to Heller and Pfennig. That own children repay something nowadays, that does not exist anymore. Today you give with a warm hand, and that's good too. But it's also good that you have learned it differently.
Do you regret something? Udo Jürgens: No. But I could not live up to the expectations I had at a young age. I quickly felt constrained, especially in a relationship. Suddenly you get questions like: "Where are you going tonight?" I did not want to hear such questions. I do not want to hear these questions today. That gives of course problems. There is a decision to be made: Will I marry and become a piano teacher - or will I continue to live the madness? Until when do you live this madness? Udo Jürgens: I never plan long in the future. All I know is that I will never make a farewell concert, I will never write a farewell song. I think that's coquetry with fate. As long as I have the strength and desire to do these things, to make music, I will continue. I am glad that in this way, I can refine and beautify myself not only the glittering, but also the bitter age of old age, which is hard for everyone.
