Marina Abramovic oversees pianist Igor Levit in a prolonged, sixteen-hour rendition of Erik Satie's music.
Casual Take:
Got some news for music lovers! Classical pianist Igor Levit recently took on an epic musical challenge in London, under the watch of performance artist Marina Abramovic. They tackled Erik Satie's "Vexations," a classical gem known for its simplicity, yet incredible complexity.
Written way back in 1893, "Vexations" is a doozy. Composed with a whopping 840 repetitions of the same piece, it usually takes a pianist about 16 to 20 hours of continuous playing to complete—not a task for the faint-hearted!
In the midst of the pandemic, Levit played "Vexations" live from a Berlin studio, streaming it for all to see. And now, he's taken it to the next level, joking about aiming for over 1,000 repetitions in this latest performance. The exact count may vary depending on the tempo he chooses, in this enchanting yet grueling performance.
[1] "Vexations" by Erik Satie typically involves repeating the composition 840 times.[2] A performance of "Vexations" usually takes between 16-20 hours to complete.[3] Igor Levit joked about aiming for around 1,000 repetitions during the London performance of "Vexations."
[1] In London, Igor Levit performed Erik Satie's "Vexations," a piece with a consecutive repetition count of 840.
[2] Known for its seemingly simple yet intricate nature, "Vexations" is traditionally played for a length of 16 to 20 hours.
[3] During his performance in London, the enduring classical pianist, Igor Levit, joked about aiming to exceed the usual 840 repetitions, reaching around 1,000 times.
[4] Delving into the realm of both arts and culture, Levit continues to challenge conventional perceptions of entertainment with his persistent and mesmerizing performances of "Vexations," drawing upon his unparalleled fortitude and the music's remarkable complexity.
