We want to say a huge well done to our tutor Julian Jacobson.
For those of you who have not heard yet, on Tuesday 15th October, Julian played all 32 of Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas consecutively (and from memory!) at St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square. A truly monumental effort, and one which is even greater considering his performance of the final 3 sonatas. Beethoven’s late Piano Sonatas are notoriously difficult both technically and musically, yet were performed with the same combination of freshness and sublimity as the opening sonatas at the start of the day, a staggering 12 hours earlier(!)
Those who could not make it to St Martin in the Field’s to watch Marathon man Julian were able to watch the livestream over the internet. And those who could not tune in to watch the livestream are able to watch sections of it back on the livestream page.
Astonishingly, this is not the first time that Julian has done this Marathon of endurance. The first time was in October 2003, at St James’, Picaddilly, and raised over £6,000 for WaterAid. He repeated the pianistic feat in 2004 at Harrow Arts Centre. This third undertaking is to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first Marathon and again, the concert is for charity.
Chapeau, Julian! We’re sure that even the great man himself would have managed a smile in recognition of your phenomenal achievement.
You can donate to Julian’s Charity Page here.