Ludovico Einaudi to Perform in Korea This April

Italian composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi, known as the 'Pianist on the Glacier,' will be performing in Korea on April 2 at the Sejong Center. Einaudi, 70, earned this nickname after playing his original composition 'Elegy for the Arctic' in 2016 at a glacier site in Norway, invited by Greenpeace. The performance, filmed on a piano set up on the Arctic ice, garnered over 22 million views on YouTube.

In a recent video interview, Einaudi shared his thoughts on art, stating, 'The beauty of art lies in its fragility, and it is impossible to change the world through art alone.' He explained that he chose to go to the Arctic because 'in the presence of art, people are left with a silent feeling and are disarmed. This allows for a vision of a better world to be presented.'

While modern music often conjures images of complex and experimental works, Einaudi's music is quite the opposite. His lyrical melodies and harmonies create a natural and meditative atmosphere, often categorized as 'neo-classical' or 'new age.' His compositions have been featured in popular films like 'Nomadland' (2020) and 'The Father' (2021), and he has achieved a staggering 39 billion streams across global music services. Einaudi remarked, 'Music without tonality feels too abstract to me; I still need tonal structures and harmonies.'

Themes of travel, nature, and the elements frequently appear in his song titles. His latest album, 'Summer Portraits,' is his 17th studio release, inspired by memories of spending summers in a Mediterranean fishing village with his family. When asked how he captures musical ideas, he humorously noted, 'I record them on my phone whenever I can and later pull them out to use.'

Einaudi comes from a distinguished lineage; his grandfather was Luigi Einaudi, an economist and former President of Italy, and his maternal grandfather was Wando Aldrovandi, an opera conductor who settled in Australia after World War II. His father, Giulio, was the head of a prestigious Italian publishing house, and his mother was a pianist. Growing up in a household rich in music and literature, he likened his albums to books, with each track representing a chapter. He reminisced about being influenced by Chopin, Bach, and Schumann, as well as the rock music of The Beatles during his youth. Einaudi still enjoys contemporary music, stating, 'I definitely listen to Radiohead, Eminem, and Billie Eilish.' He expressed interest in collaborating with Eminem, noting that while rap lacks melody, he would love to blend it with his own melodic and harmonic style. He remains open to all collaboration proposals, including those from K-pop artists.