New York joined in the worldwide celebrations of Chopin’s 200th birthday with a 200-hour marathon of his most famous romantic compositions at the World Financial Center.

Lower Manhattan’s prized business venue installed five pianos on which amateurs were invited to play the music of Poland’s beloved composer in the morning, to be replaced by concert pianists and rising young performers in the afternoon. Free solo concerts by classical piano virtuosos, including Claire Huangci, winner of the Chopin Competition of Europe, were held from 7 pm throughout the week.

“Chopin’s great talent lay in his ability to compose music that was both technically demanding yet accessible to a wide audience,” Debra Simon, artistic director at the World Financial Center, told Reuters.