The Night He Played for Just One Person

On July 6, at a private hospice outside Amsterdam, André Rieu arrived quietly, without fanfare, to honor a dying wish.

The patient — Marta, a 98-year-old former piano teacher and lifelong fan — had only one request:

“I want to hear ‘The Second Waltz’ one last time… played by the man who made me believe in magic.”

Rieu didn’t hesitate.

He flew home from Vienna, canceled a press engagement, and walked into her room with only his violin.

What Happened Next Was Caught on Camera — And Has Millions in Tears

With no orchestra, no microphone, and only the soft hum of a heart monitor in the background, Rieu played “The Second Waltz” in full, his eyes never leaving Marta’s.

She held his hand the entire time.

Midway through the piece, Marta whispered, “Thank you… André.”

He stopped. He cried.
And then he played the final notes as tears rolled down his face.

“This Was the Most Important Performance of My Life,” He Said

Later, in a brief message posted to his official channels, Rieu wrote:

“At 75, I’ve played for kings, queens, and millions of beautiful people. But playing for Marta — with no lights, no applause — reminded me why I ever picked up a bow in the first place.”

“Music is not about the crowd. It’s about the connection.”

The World Responds: “This Man Has a Heart as Big as His Orchestra”

The video, shared with permission by Marta’s family, has now been viewed over 40 million times in just 48 hours. Thousands of fans from around the world are posting their own stories of how André’s music brought comfort to them — in joy, in grief, and in love.

One commenter wrote:

“My dad passed away to ‘The Blue Danube’ last year. André was playing in the background. I’ll never forget it.”

What’s Next for Rieu? He Says He’s Not Slowing Down — Just Shifting Focus

Despite turning 75, Rieu has no plans to retire. But he’s hinted at a new project: an intimate album titled “For One Heart” — inspired by his moment with Marta and dedicated to the quiet, private listeners who never made it to a stadium — but felt every note.