On April 24, classical pianist Igor Levit took to the stage at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall for a remarkable performance that would test his endurance and the limits of musical patience. Directed by renowned performance artist Marina Abramovic, Levit was chosen to perform Erik Satie’s Vexations, a deceptively simple yet incredibly demanding composition. The piece consists of a single sheet of music that must be repeated 840 times, and the performance was expected to last a minimum of 16 hours.
Satie, who composed the work in 1893, left a unique instruction with the manuscript, insisting that Vexations be repeated 840 times, a feat that traditionally requires between 16 and 20 hours of continuous playing. The performance, described as one of classical music’s most grueling, explores themes of repetition, endurance, and the passage of time. Abramovic’s direction of the event aimed to create an environment where the boundaries of silence, immobility, and contemplation would dissolve, allowing the audience to experience time as if it ceased to exist.
Levit, who has built a reputation for his extraordinary technical ability and commitment to unconventional projects, embraced the challenge of performing Vexations live. This performance followed his earlier live-streamed version of the piece during the Covid-19 pandemic, where he played it in a Berlin studio. Despite the familiarity of the piece, the live performance offered a new dimension, with an audience present to witness the unfolding of time and the physical and mental strain it imposed on the performer.
The audience at Queen Elizabeth Hall was not merely observing a musical performance but was invited to contemplate the endurance of both the artist and the listener, as the repetitive nature of the work created an almost meditative atmosphere. The work’s relentless repetition of a simple motif pushed the boundaries of traditional performance and challenged perceptions of music, time, and attention.
Levit’s interpretation of Vexations, under Abramovic’s guidance, highlighted the power of repetition and its ability to induce a profound state of mindfulness, making it a remarkable exploration of music and endurance that transcended the typical boundaries of a classical concert.
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