Pianist Roman Borisov to Perform a Piece on Saturday for an Impressive 840 Repetitions
On September 20, 2025, Roman Borisov, a 22-year-old Russian pianist, will embark on an extraordinary challenge during the DEW21 Museum Night in Dortmund, Germany. He will perform Erik Satie's piece 'Vexations' (also known as 'Torments' in English) for an astonishing 15 hours straight. The piece, which requires playing the theme 840 times in succession, is no easy feat. Satie himself annotated the piece, advising that such a performance requires deep silence and utmost seriousness. Borisov, who sees the challenge in the repetition rather than the music itself, is motivated by his love for the unusual.
The concert begins at 8:30 AM on September 20 and concludes at 0:30 AM on September 21. Admission for the concert is included in the DEW21 Museum Night ticket, which costs 14.50 euros for adults and 3 euros for children. The ticket is valid for the entire duration of the concert.
Young pianists from Dortmund will be allowed to perform during the brief breaks that Borisov takes during his performance. Audience members can come and go during the performance, making for an interesting and dynamic atmosphere.
The DEW21 Museum Night is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and this unique concert is sure to be a highlight of the event. Donations will be collected for 'Save the Children' during the concert, with ten euros having the potential to make a big difference for children in need.
Interestingly, Erik Satie, the French composer, never performed the piece publicly. Borisov was approached by the concert hall to take on this unusual challenge. The performance is expected to become meditative, making it a truly unique and memorable experience for all involved.
After the performance, Borisov plans to sleep for a long time, and he hopes to survive the day. This marathon concert is sure to be a test of endurance and a testament to Borisov's passion for music.
The concert is taking place on World Children's Day, adding an extra layer of significance to the event. If you're in the area, be sure to stop by and witness this extraordinary performance.
