Europe and neighboring countries have opted to halt mass gatherings amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Shutdowns of schools, bars, museums and concert halls is another precautionary measure to avoid the transmission of the disease. Igor Levit, a Russian-German pianist who lives in Berlin, chose this opportunity to stream a free concert by playing Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata Op. 53 online.

The spread of the disease has affected the music industry but also allowed musicians to find a way to deliver their music. During his stream, Levit told his viewers, “It’s a sad time, it’s a weird time, but acting is better than doing nothing, let’s bring the house concert into the 21st century!” His 25-minute piano performance received 6,000 likes on Twitter. Opera houses like the Staatsoper in Austria and the Philharmonie Berlin Orchestra also streamed their performances around the world.