On July 3rd, I was very fortunate to score a last minute ticket to the Ludovico Einaudi concert at the Sony Centre for Performing Arts in Toronto. Einaudi is a world-acclaimed composer and pianist, a classical crossover superstar.
I felt especially lucky because I didn’t think I would be able to return to Toronto from my business trip in time to attend but as it turned out I made it back just in time. I booked the last remaining seat in the first row.
The concert was a thrill. It had special meaning for me because Einaudi’s music is not only close to my heart but close to my own path which is my passion for sharing emotions with the audience through music. He describes his music as a journey through sound and that is exactly how I feel. A hypnotic quality invites people to enter a different world. He reaches each person in a deeply personal way which is something I intuitively understand.
He says that when he writes music it has to contain his history, his own personal vision. My compositions in the same way reflect my life experiences. I describe my approach to music as pouring my emotions onto the keys.
I would like to share a bit more about Einaudi to illustrate why he is such an inspiration. He has an storied ancestry. He is an Italian composer and pianist (and grandson of a composer and conductor on his mother’s side, and Luigi Einaudi president of Italy from 1948 to 1955 on his father’s side). He studied classical piano at Milan’s Conservatoria Verdi and went on to become one of the world’s most streamed classical artists.
His style is unique – minimalist experimental piano-based classical meets folk, rock, pop and ethnic influences. You can hear touches of everything from Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd and The Who to West African kora music. He has played at London’s iTunes Festival alongside pop superstars as Lady Gaga and Elton John.
His Toronto concert featured his album Elements which was the first classical release in Britain to break into the Top 15 in 23 years. His compositions are intricately layered – they can go from soft and gentle to highly dramatic, enhanced by violin, cello, bass guitar and drums as well as the introduction of unique experimental instruments.
Because telling stories with my music is something I strive to do, I especially relate to his powerful musical narratives which have contributed to many film sound tracks.
It was such an exciting experience to see and feel and be inspired by his music first hand. And not only did I land a front row seat at his memorable concert – I had the privilege of meeting him and chatting with him afterwards. As we shared ideas about music he inspired me to follow my dreams with my own musical direction. I felt encouraged and renewed in my passion to share my music with the world. It’s a special encounter I will long remember.
