What unites Thom Yorke, the extraordinary yet depressive leader of Radiohead, and the great composer Igor Stravinsky? Nothing but music. However, both of them were singled out as being the most well-respected by Ludovico Einaudi, an Italian neoclassical pianist, who came to Russia this past weekend with concerts in support of his latest album, "In A Time Lapse." Speaking about the album title, Einaudi, with awe in his voice, talked about the importance of individual moments, about the importance of the feeling of childhood, how time inevitably melts and reflection in time. After the success of the movie "The Intouchables," for which Ludovico composed the soundtrack, the pianist's popularity rose to new heights. His new album, which includes the most famous compositions from the movie, is no less impressive than "Nightbook," his 2009 release. "The Intouchables" is not Einaudi's first movie soundtrack, and he confessed that he still dreams of making a soundtrack for Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner."
All those who came to the Svetlanov Hall of the Moscow International House of Music seemed to already be steeped in the music of Ludovico Einaudi. The band, which plays with the Italian on tour, played a mixture of classical and electronic music — exactly what Einaudi is best known for. The music's gradual onset, slow and lyrical pace and the sad lyrics giving way to dynamics, drive and fiery emotions were enough to make people cry and close their eyes in satisfaction.
"I don't want my music to be heartbreaking," the musician said during the press conference before the second concert in Moscow. "The main idea is to make people's souls move. They have to feel. As for me, music is a way to survive."
Ludovico is sure that classical music is not so distant from pop music, and he always tries to put everything together: Chopin's mood, for example, and The Beatles' energy.
He also shared his feelings about Russia, memories of the Hermitage and the Bolshoi Theater, comparing St. Petersburg and Venice.
"As an Italian, I really enjoyed St. Petersburg because it looks like Venice, you know. But there is something special in Moscow, something in the atmosphere, people. If the weather was more kindly, I would walk around the city and visit the Tretyakov Galley", he said.
Ludovico Einaudi played on Sept. 20 and 21, gathering a full house both times.
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