On 5 May, an unprecedented Piano Marathon will be held, which is poised to set a new Guinness World RecordTM for “The Most Musicians to Play the Same Piano in Relay”.
In this year’s edition of French May Arts Festival, over 160 pianists from across Hong Kong will be playing the legendary French composer Erik Satie’s “Vexations” at ELEMENTS shopping mall.
Starting from 7am and lasting for at least 14 hours, each pianist will deliver their unique artistic take on the same piece of music and playing on the same piano in relay for 840 times.
"Pianists come from different backgrounds, including professionals, amateurs and kids,” says one of the performers and renowned pianist Nancy Loo. “I was surprised to learn that one of them do not know how to play the piano but learned this piece specifically for the piano marathon.”
She reveals that the key to a successful piano marathon lies in continuity, which means the transition between pianists needs to be seamless. “In the first section of the music, only one hand is needed, so the next pianist needs to get ready and relay the performance at the right moment,” she explains.
She hopes that the audience can get a close encounter with music to feels its joy and wonder. “I encourage the audience to enjoy this piano marathon with an open mind,” she recommends. She adds that this is a wonderful opportunity for the public to reach a new level of music appreciation when the same piece is repeated in succession in different styles and interpretations.
Introduced to music at the age of five, Loo describes her relationship with music as "I am one with music; music is my life." Music also led her to be a radio programme host and a prison volunteer, during which she witnessed the healing power of music.
“Music helps relieve inmates’ emotional stress, especially in their restrictive living environment with unresolved burdens in their hearts,” she emphasizes. “The prison band, for example, is of great help to inmates.”
She recounts an unforgettable incident in Pik Uk Prison during which she was teaching inmates how to name the song they have composed with only one word. “A young inmate named his song ‘Love’ and said, ‘In prison, I can feel the love from prison officers and the love from all of you’. My heart was so heavy; the inmate rarely felt love in his life and I was grateful to be able to spread love in the course of teaching them music.”
Meanwhile, Loo’s most unforgettable concert was the one held in City Hall on 4 April this year. The last time she performed there was 49 years ago, in 1976!
“In both concerts, I played Schubert's last sonata: Piano Sonata No. 21, written a month before his death. Imagine playing the song again 49 years later! After experiencing so many things in life, you will naturally have different feelings in your interpretation and expression. But the pressure was great because many talented pianists were present and I was worried I might disappoint everyone. Fortunately, I received cheers and support, and my faith in God calmed me down, released all my pressures and helped me give a good performance,” she muses.
