You’ve heard Ludovico Einaudi’s music in the trailer for The Reader, in an ad for American Airlines with Kevin Spacey, in the 2009 NBA Championship Playoffs advertisements in the US, a number of television placements as well as 17 of his tracks used in the upcoming film Dirt! The Movie
Einaudi has written 15 film scores, several which won prizes as best soundtracks in a variety of European film festivals, including the BAAF award for his soundtrack for Shane Meadow’s film, This is England
Einaudi was the only classical artist invited to play the iTunes Festival in Europe and on his last live tour, he performed more than 120 concerts all over the world including India, Europe, Japan and the US. His first US release, Divenire (2008), debuted at #1 on the iTunes Classical Chart and at #78 on their pop chart. The release was also nominated for “Album of the Year” by the Classical Brit Awards.
Formerly trained in Conservatorio Verdi in Milan, Einaudi now lives on a vineyard in the Italian region of Piedmont where his latest CD, Nightbook (released in the US this month), was conceived.
Album: Nightbook
Label: Ponderosa
Release Date: 2010-01-12
Image: http://images.popmatters.com/music_cover_art/n/nighbook-cover.jpg1. The latest book or movie that made you cry?
Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. I wish I could have the force that this book has to capture the emotions in such a vivid and strong way.
2. The fictional character most like you?
Alice in Wonderland. Woody Allen, too.
3. The greatest album, ever?
The Beatles, Revolver. It’s pop. It’s classic. It’s experimental. It’s revolutionary.
4. Star Trek or Star Wars?
I prefer Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. It’s more psychedelic.
5. Your ideal brain food?
Literature, poetry, philosophy, and essays about art and music.
6. You’re proud of this accomplishment, but why?
Because I have a place in this world.
Album: Cloudland
Label: Ponderosa
Release Date: 2009-05-12
Image: http://images.popmatters.com/music_cover_art/c/cloudland.jpg7. You want to be remembered for…?
Having inspired other people to play, to paint, to write.
8. Of those who’ve come before, the most inspirational are?
Virginia Woolf, Gandhi, and William Turner.
9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?
J.S. Bach’s The Well Tempered Clavier. It’s such a sacred, inspirational mountain.
10. Your hidden talents…?
Cooking and photography.
11. The best piece of advice you actually followed?
Doing the Five Tibetan Rites exercises every day. It makes me feel at home wherever I am.
12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed?
My Steinway piano.
Album: Divenire
Label: Ponderosa
Release Date: 2008-06-10
Image: http://images.popmatters.com/music_cover_art/d/divenire.jpg13. You feel best in Armani or Levis or…?
Levis but once in a while…
14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be?
Uma Thurman!
15. Time travel: where, when and why?
Into the future a thousand years from now to see what’s going on in music.
16. Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?
Spa vacation.
17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or…?
Tea. But I love to go to the bar close by for a good espresso and have a chat with the bartender.
18. Environ of choice: city or country, and where on the map?
English countryside for a couple of months. But Berlin and London for part of the year. And in Puglia, Italy for the rest of the year.
19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country?
Please go away. We need a clean man and you can’t own everything.
20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?
I’m touring Europe, planning the US tour for March 2010 in support of my release, Nightbook, and writing a film score.
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