The Billy Joel Experience & La Finesse String Quartet | Nocturne

Billy Joel's repertoire spans from rock music to tender ballads, and his affinity with classical music has long been evident in his pop songs - he even incorporated a Beethoven composition in 'This Night'. Nocturne is a concert series in which The Billy Joel Experience and the German string quartet La Finesse String Quartet place that connection at the centre. Frontman Alexander Broussard wants Nocturne to emphasize the influence of classical music on Billy Joel's work.

Initially, the idea was to create a contrast between the tribute band and the string quartet, but that quickly proved unworkable. The classical instruments blend seamlessly with electric guitar and keyboard, each complementing the other. The result is an organic collaboration where rock and classical music come together.

The Billy Joel Experience is one of the most successful Billy Joel tribute acts at the moment. The band is known to the general public from the first season of the SBS 6 programme The Tribute: Battle of the Bands, where they finished in second place.

La Finesse String Quartet consists of four German musicians who combine classical music with rock, house, dubstep and electronic influences. Their repertoire is broad - from film music and baroque to western and musical. They perform at festivals like Wacken, play in major concert halls, but also give intimate living-room concerts.