Post by Taxigirl on Nov 1, 2003 10:45:51 GMT
A concert pianist has completed a marathon performance of all 32 of Beethoven's sonatas in one day.
Julian Jacobson took just three half-hour breaks during the 13-hour performance in a London church on Friday.
Mr Jacobson said he believed it was the first time anyone had achieved such a feat.
He is raising money for WaterAid, a charity which helps provide clean water to the poorest people around the world.
As the pianist began the challenge in St James' church, Piccadilly, at 0915 GMT, he said: "It's pretty crazy isn't it?"
He told BBC Radio 4 it was a "self-test to see if I can get through it all and keep my concentration", and a chance to raise money for his favourite charity.
"I had done the complete cycle several times and I took to thinking 'I wonder what it would feel like to do them all in a day,'" he told the Today programme.
Event organiser Tony Barlow said spectators were encouraged to donate generously, and they hoped to raise £5,000.