There are so many musicians and composers out there whom I really respect. However, Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi has a special place in my heart. Even if you are not familiar with his name, you might have heard his music, as some of his compositions have been featured on some incredibly successful feature films. From the classic British flick “This Is England,” down to the charming “The Untouchables” and the eerie horror film “Insidious,” anything goes. His melodic style is so simple, yet so nuanced and incredibly accomplished. In other words, he is the type of pianist who can say so much without saying too much.
I really like the simplicity of his piano playing because I really think that sometimes, the silence between notes and using only a few chords can be a great way to build more emotion in a track. This is exactly what I try to do with my music as well, but Einaudi has mastered this concept to an astonishingly high level. There is a classical music sensibility to his playing, but at the same time, he made this style of music more approachable for people out there. I’ve often heard of people loving Einaudi’s music, even if they have no background in classical music, or if even if they don’t really listen to that type of music very often. How can someone with a classical background like Einaudi achieve such a significant mainstream success? Well, I really think that it is because of the inner “less is more” simplicity of his compositions. If you really think about it, some of the best melodies out there are those that people can remember and even hum along to them. Many of Einaudi’s melodies have this amazing, relatable vibe to them, and they are so memorable and full of passion.
Not to mention the sounds! His piano always has a very incredible tone to me, something that I always strive to do with my piano sounds. At times, his piano is round and whisper-like, played with incredible delicacy and with a unique touch. However, he also knows when to push the bar higher and ramp up the intensity of his playing with great results.
I could go on and on telling you how and why Ludovico Einaudi is amazing. Maybe, the best thing that I could say is: go listen to his music! Pick any track, get comfortable, and better yet, put on your favorite headphones, letting the music carry you away. I think then, you will immediately understand what I mean, as sometimes, such artistry is not quite easy to describe with words alone. I, for one, will always be grateful to this masterful composer because I learned so much by simply listening to his tracks. Not only has he been influential to me in terms of writing and composition, but also in terms of sound. I think that the way your piano and instruments sound is just as important as the composition itself because people really connect with the quality of the recordings. Einaudi knows how to match the right piano sound with his work, and as a result, his recordings are always so amazing and accomplish. My music would probably not be the same without his influence and impact!
Any song recommendations? Check out “Nuvole Bianche” or “Experience.” These tracks are some of the artist’s most popular works, and there is definitely a good reason why! They embody his minimalistic sound and vision to perfection, and I think they can be a good starting point to get into his music!