In collaboration with the pianist Igor Levit, Grisebach will be holding a silent auction on Sunday, June 28th as part of our summer auctions. The proceeds will go to the foundations FREO e.V. and Artist Relief Tree.
At the beginning of the corona pandemic, Igor Levit streamed concerts from his living room for over 52 days in an effort to draw awareness to the plight many artists and creators are experiencing around the world. One of these was held in the Office of the Federal President by invitation of Frank-Walter Steinmeier. On May 30th/31st a concert was held that blurred the borders of both space and time. A work like a silent cry („wie ein Stummer Schrei“): the pianist performed one of the longest compositions in music’s history, Erik Satie’s 20-hour long piece ‘Vexations’. These 840 pages of sheet music will be offered in one lot on Sunday, June 28th from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Grisebach’s silent auction. Levit will be appearing live for the three highest bidders during the final 20 minutes of the auction.
FREO e.V. is a new interest group for independent ensembles and orchestras in Germany. This organisation aims to support freelance musician led ensembles and orchestras: https://freo. online/.
Artist Relief Tree is a new fund that was established in the USA to provide financial support for artists affected by COVID-19 cancellations: https://artistrelieftree.com/
As an art and auction house, Grisebach is committed to contributing to the preservation of cultural life and the arts, as well as promoting and supporting artists of all kinds, especially in difficult times.
Bids may be placed at Igor-Levit@grisebach.com.
So am I understanding this correctly that the sheets won’t be auctioned off individually, but rather the 840 sheets together, as one lot? If so, that’s a real shame…. I would have loved to own just one of them – I literally would have had it framed and put up above my piano, as a reminder of one remarkable weekend….
That’s what I would have done…
the same happens to me (and at least 840 other enthusiastic Vexations listeners and happy, successfully auctioned owners of a single sheet…)
Bad idea to give one person the opportunity to get them all. I would have loved to make a reasonable donation for any sheet without picking a specific number (like 111 or so)
That’s what I was hoping too, as a tangible memory of an extraordinary night.
I was hoping to get a sheet, too. But if you raise more money the other way, so be it.
Actually I submitted the idea to sell the sheets individually soon after the concert had started to Mr. Levit’s PR person. I was sure there would be more people than just me interested in buying an individual sheet to frame it and hang it in their home as a memory. Also I suggested to subsidize artist with the gains. But obviously someone decided against this suggestion. What a pity.
I would have paid up to $50 or so for a sheet. Times 840 that’s $42,000. I can’t imagine raising that much for the entire lot together, but maybe I’m just mistaken.
I agree. I would have been interested in one or other of the sheets but 840 is out of
my (price) range.
exactly! thought of 100,- € … well we will see what happens. Perhaps the highest bidder sells 839 sheets and contributes the money for artists in need.