Pianist Plans Musical Marathon In Manchester

Classical music fans can expect to see something special next month as a renowned pianist is putting on a Manchester musical marathon – aiming to play all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos in one evening.

The epic five-hour classical endurance test by Martin Roscoe is hosted at The Royal Northern College of Music and those who don’t have the stamina for the full event can also buy two hour session tickets.

The self-imposed challenge is in aid of the Musicians’ Benevolent Fund and conducting will be RNCM’s own Daniel Parkinson. The event will be presented by Classic FM presenter David Suchet.

Mr Roscoe said: “In the last few years I seem to have developed a bit of a reputation for Beethoven, having now recorded all the Piano Sonatas and played many of them in all-Beethoven recitals.

“I have played all the Beethoven concertos many times and always feel very at home in these wonderful pieces.”

Mr Roscoe, himself a graduate of RNCM, is an experienced and versatile pianist with his career seeing him perform hundreds, if not thousands of times in the UK and abroad.

He continued: “Four years ago, I played both Brahms’ Piano Concertos in one evening. My friend told me he had played all five Beethoven piano concertos in one concert in Germany.

“So I thought why not in the UK?”

After getting in touch with Mr Parkinson, the venue was set and the two decided to perform in aid of the Musicians’ Benevolent Fund, an organisation dedicated to supporting musicians of all ages and styles.