German pianist Igor Levit tackles Vexations by Satie on April 25–26 at Southbank Centre (London), in a 16-hour performance directed by renowned performance artist Marina Abramović. One pianist, no breaks, what a challenge.
This Thursday and Friday, acclaimed pianist Igor Levit will undertake an extraordinary feat in London: a solo performance of Vexations by French composer Erik Satie, a piece intended to last over 16 hours. The event, directed by renowned performance artist Marina Abramović, will take place at the Southbank Centre and is being billed as "a test of endurance."
Vexations, written by Erik Satie (1866–1925), consists of a single page of music meant to be repeated 840 times. This results in a continuous performance that can last between 16 and 20 hours. Traditionally, the work is played in relay by multiple pianists. However, 38-year-old German pianist Igor Levit, widely regarded as one of the most gifted pianists of his generation, will take on the challenge alone.
Levit previously performed the piece during the COVID-19 lockdown in his Berlin studio, playing for 20 hours straight to raise funds for freelance musicians affected by the pandemic. This upcoming performance marks the first time he will present the piece live before an audience in its entirety.
The concert, which will be livestreamed, promises to be a profound and meditative experience.
“The audience will witness a moment of silence, endurance, stillness, and contemplation, where time ceases to exist,” said Marina Abramović, the 78-year-old Serbian artist known for her boundary-pushing performances.
“Igor performs Vexations with endless repetition but constant variation,” she added.
Abramović’s role is to prepare the audience for what the Southbank Centre describes as a “unique experience.” Her artistic vision aims to help spectators enter a space of deep introspection and surrender to the moment.
Satie himself offered a note of caution to pianists approaching the piece: “To play this motif 840 times in succession, it would be advisable to prepare oneself beforehand, and in the deepest silence, through serious immobility.”
Speaking to The Guardian, Levit encouraged audiences to embrace the unconventional nature of the performance: “It’s just an empty space, so dive into it,” he said.
Audience members are welcome to attend for an hour—or stay for the full duration. The concert will begin on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. local time (09:00 GMT).
With AFP
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