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Italian
composer Ludovico Einaudi has enjoyed tremendous
success in the UK recently as well as in his
homeland. His music found its way onto the popular
and influential British radio station Classic FM,
and immediately drew a huge response from listeners.
In most cases, their first exposure to Ludovico's
music will have been arguably his most popular
composition- his signature piece, "Le Onde" which
translates into "The Waves".
This beautiful
piece, inspired by the writing in Virginia Woolf's
novel, "The Waves", is the first track to be
featured in this 2003 collection. It features 17
tracks, including three previously unreleased
pieces. Ludovico set out to explore the ideas behind
the waves, time and life. The end result is a highly
melodic piece, which successfully captures the
rhythm of the waves. The basic melody is constant
throughout, but subtly changes at different points,
just as one might expect of the waves.
Another lovely
piece is Fuori dalla Notte which translates "Out of
the Night". This piece combines cello and double
bass with piano and the end result is unforgettable.
It was written at a time when Ludovico had "Writer's
Block" and, after many fruitless hours producing
work that failed to meet his own high standard, he
finally created something with which he was happy.
To him, this was the light at the end of the tunnel-
hence the title of the track.
"I Giorni"
("The Days") is a catchy solo-piano track, which is
followed by another lovely piece, "La Linea Scura"
(The Dark Line"). Once again influenced by the
writing of Woolf, Ludovico decided to capture in
music the description in words by Woolf of the line
on the horizon where the clouds meet the sea.
"Eden Roc" is
something of a departure from the norm on the CD,
but is nonetheless a catchy piece, which features
piano and guitar. The two instruments combine really
well later in the track with Marco Decimo on
filtered cello.
"Nefeli" is
another solo-piano track and is very beautiful. It
is dedicated to the daughter of a couple he would
regularly visit. Ludovico was inspired by her
vivaciousness. Although Nefeli is Greek for Clouds,
to Ludovico, it reminds him of sunshine, and this is
how he viewed the little girl.
A personal
favourite of mine is Due Tramonti- "Two Sunsets". I
don't believe there to be any more beautiful
combination of instruments than piano and cello, and
this piece, I feel, illustrates that wonderful
relationship perfectly. It is gorgeous! The story
behind the music dates back to a story told to
Ludovico by his father. Apparently, when driving
with a friend, they saw the most beautiful sunset in
the Italian hills. Blown away by the stunning act of
nature they had just witnessed, his father put his
foot down on the pedal and they hurried up the next
hill in order to have the luxury of a second
viewing. This was the night they saw Two Sunsets.
"Giorni Dispari"
("Odd Days") is a very popular piece and again
features the lovely combination of piano and cello.
It is a musical interpretation of one of those
haphazard days we all experience from time to time,
where nothing quite goes to plan. The unexpected
change in rhythmic structure captures in musical
form one such day.
These are just
a few of the highlights in this extraordinary album,
which totals nearly 79 minutes. I highly recommend
it.
S.C. |
