The Calx Project didn't really last for 60 hours, right?
Absolutely! It didn't last 60 hours... Did you really think that? It's actually lasted longer! The whole project lasted nearly 70 hours! This was because, in compliance with Guinness World Record Regulations, Christian was obliged to take a mandatory break of 15 minutes every 8 complete hours. The 8 hours could not be accrued towards a longer break (For example he couldn't play for 16 hours and then take a break for 30 minutes) Additionally, Christian and the whole team gathered on location several hours before the kick-off note to oversee final organizational matters, deal with the press and test equipment.

How did Christian go to the bathroom?
No diapers were used for the event! In compliance with Official Guinness World Record Regulations, Christian was obliged to take a 'bio-break' every 8 complete hours of activity. Self-control, anyone?

When did Christian sleep?
Not while playing unfortunately... Christian tried to take a power nap for a few minutes during his 15 minute bio-break. Unfortunately, sleeping 'on-demand' is not easy and wasn't actually possible!

How and when did Christian eat?
Nutrition is essential in such a feat. Christian actually ate throughout the event. (That sounds strange!) Using one hand to eat while playing with the other, Christian worked his way thru the 60 hours. Did you know that one-hand piano music was written during the world wars for pianists who were ex-soldiers and lost a limb in war? Christian played with just one hand... And unless you saw it on the broadcast, chances are you might not even hear that it was a lonely hand doing it all!

Was he allowed to talk while he played?
Even though the whole 60 hours have been recorded live, Christian was glad to talk to acquaintances and fans once in a while, circumstances permitting. In some of the tracks selected for the 'Broken Record' CD collection you can hear some voices on some tracks which will make you feel as if you were right there in the action!

How long can breaks between pieces last (in order for the 8 hour shift not be annulled?)
Music by nature is made up of natural pauses which give additional emotions to the whole musical discourse. Therefore, pauses relevant to the musical idea really have no 'calculated' length. They can last until a sustained sound dies off in a natural way and possibly even longer. Pianist Arthur Schnabel once said: "The pauses between the notes - ah, that is where the art resides!" Obviously Christian will not use the melodic pause as an excuse to relax as that would be equal to starting a break.

What is the current record for longest piano playing?
The current record was set in 2003 in the USA, where a pianist played for 52 hours and 20 minutes.

Isn't Christian's concert also a record for longest solo piano playing?
Yes, but unofficially. Originally we set out to set a record in this category but Guinness actually annulled this request because of an internal fault - believe it or not, they provided the wrong set of rules & regulations for the event, giving rules of a 'Generic Marathon' rather than a 'Solo music marathon'. Of course this came up only after the event ended! The reason why Christian's attempt was not recognized is simply because these music-marathon specific rules ruled out any improvisations and required the performer to play 'known' music - Go figure! In any case, this event did become the world's longest solo music internet broadcast and, unofficially, also the longest solo piano concert and longest sensed musical improvisation!

Did the piano break down?
This music marathon tested the limits of both the performer and the instrument itself. The piano used was a world-class concert grand piano industry leaders Steinway & Sons (Model D). Technical assistance was provided on the spot but was actually used mainly to tune the piano while Christian was on his breaks. The only glitch was when a central key got stuck - but Christian played 'around' the problem until the technical intervened.

Did Christian get any cramps?
Yes indeed! And he played with the other hand until the cramp disappeared! If he would have gotten cramps on both hands... he may have probably started playing with his feet! On several occasions, friends and professional masseurs provided hand and arm massages which were greatly appreciated! On the third day, Christian's small fingers (The Pianists 5ths in fingering!) were out of order, but he played on with 8 fingers. Eventually the number dropped to 7 for a few hours. Then it was 10 fingers, full throttle until the end!

What type of training is required for such an event?
Theoretically, several months of practice are necessary, both to resist in playing for long periods but especially to train in remaining awake and mentally aware for 70 hours. Muscle resistance is necessary, but presence of mind is all the more important. Christian created a 'practice' worksheet to train for the event - but he actually never used it.

How did the Calx Project come into existence?
A few years ago, Christian thought it would have been interesting to hear the same music being played across roman roads, or vie. Since organizing a 2 hour open event seemed so complicated, he though he might just as well play for 12 hours or so. So he contacted Guinness who let him know that the current world record was actually at 52 hours! So Christian thought: "Why not go for 60?" In February 2004, while 'shopping' for sponsors, Christian and his wife met up with Luca Savazzi, Director of Zillion Productions. Mr. Savazzi realized the humanitarian value that this project had and prompt action immediately followed. Six months later, the event was up and running with the support of mainstream sponsors.

What happened after the event?
A few things happened when the event ended at midnight and one minute: Christian met with the hundreds of audience that showed up for the finale. After signing autographs and trying to thank as many friends as possible, Christian went to a nearby hotel, where he took a nice hot shower, prayed that sensitivity would get back to his hands as soon as possible, ordered a club sandwich that never came and finally hit the sack around 3.30 am. The day after he was invited back to the Gallery as guest-star to open a big jazz concert which was part of 'La notte bianca' an important roman summer concert. One week later, the organizing team went for vacation in Egypt to relax and talk about future projects!

Is any music from the Calx Project available?
A few weeks after the event, a whole new project worthy of a record of its own was started: Christian went thru all of the 60 hours of recorded audio and video material. He divided the impromptus into tracks, gave them titles, and began seeing which ones would make it on a 2 piece CD collection. Eventually, from 505 tracks 24 were selected (and another 3 bonus) and were brought together in a collection entitled 'A Broken Record - Original music from The Calx Project Rome"

Were any special piano playing techniques used during The Calx Project performance?
Christian is always keen on experimenting new sounds on the piano (Listen for instance to the piano strings plucked on at the end of INFINITI or the glissandos and clusters on A CRY FOR FREEDOM) within the limits of sonic pleasure. During the Calx Project, Christian used all traditional piano playing techniques - from repeated notes to ripped octaves - plus some plectrums, cotton, paper, nails, screws to pull out some new, odd sounds from the Steinway grand

Do you have other questions? ASK US!