Divenire

Ludovico Einaudi, Divenire

Ludovico Einaudi's latest CD release Divenire (`becoming') is a work which has spent considerable time being developed. Its origins are in the performance of a composition written for the festival `I suoni delle Dolomiti' (The Sounds of the Dolomites) in 2002.

`Since that experience I have done many other things, but have always thought that sooner or later I would develop the idea and expand it' says Einaudi.

Five years later we have the resulting Divenire, a work which brings together an orchestra (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic), cello (Marco Decimo), sound modifiers (Paulo Giudici) and of course piano by Einaudi himself. The work has been developed and introduced during his live performances, as Einaudi explains:

`...I was becoming bored with playing the same works in the same way...I began to play about with sequences I recorded at home, sound effects created on the computer...which I then included in my live performances...'

So the live performances enabled the evolution of what has become a beautifully crafted CD release. The music, which embraces elements of classical music, electronic sounds and Ludovico's own distinctive piano is difficult to categorise, as the composer himself admits:

`I wouldn't know. In some ways the classical music sections have something dead about them and are too tied to the past. I would prefer my niche among a varied selection, not pigeon-holed by a specific genre'.

The results however have been given various labels, such as ambient, contemporary, meditative, minimalistic, introspective and modern classical.

In my opinion this is Einaudi's best release to date, for the combination of the diverse sounds created by the piano, strings and various electronic elements work so well together that it is almost impossible not to be swept away by the deeply emotional melodies that the composer creates. The CD has been released to coincide with The Divenire Tour, during which most of the music here can be heard. The resulting sell-out tickets for these concerts is a reflection of Einaudi's ever increasing popularity, and this album I believe will firmly establish him as one of the leading contemporary composers.

It is difficult to single out my favourites from such an outstanding CD, but `Uno'(One), `Oltremare' (Overseas), and `Andare' (Go) will bring memories of seeing Einaudi, complete with string sextet and the electronic wizardry of Robert Lippok onstage during his Divenire Tour. A great CD, which I recommend to anyone wanting to experience, for want of a better label, contemporary classical music.

I have been a fan of Ludovico for the past couple of years and this album definately shows what a wonderful composer and pianist he is. I was lucky enough to see him in concert at the Barbican recently performing most of the songs from this album as well as from some from others, and live he sounds just as good if not better than on the CD. I think this shows he has true talent rather than some acts who re-record and re-sample over and over for their CD. I never get bored listening to it and find that it sounds better the louder it is :D Despite often having simple melodies, some of which are similar to previous works (which critics don't seem to like this album because of, but fans love it) I feel it is still original and a joy to listen to. Combining the piano with strings (the last song of the album doesn't even have any piano) is an excellent new addition to his works and adds an extra intensity to songs such as Primavera and L'origine Nascosta. The effective use of electronics and loops is also perfectly composed and sets the ambiant mood well. It's an album that I find myself listening to anywhere; while working, in the car, out and about or at night.

Divenire is one of the best albums i have ever heard and i would recommend it to anyone! And if you have the chance, see him live, he is unbelievable!

I can see why this CD is popular with fans but irritates critics. While not setting out to challenge, it does what it aims to very well, which is to entertain with sweetly melancholic and meditative music. It's quite elegantly simple and catchy - yet on the whole manages to stay away from the banal. It reminds me of the music of Enya or Windham Hill, but played mainly on piano. Thankfully the piano is sensitively and well-played, avoiding Richard Clayderman-style clunkiness. I enjoy this CD for background atmosphere and find it slowly growing on me despite, or perhaps because of, its deceptive simplicity.