Ludovico Einaudi

Symphony Hall, Birmingham

by Andy Richardson

The fragmentation of radio during recent decades has had two noticeable affects. Firstly, it’s removed from our dole queues assorted zany types who now find gainful employment teeing up MP3s by The Saturdays. A more beneficial effect, however, has been to make stars of performers who might otherwise have found themselves confined to the ghettos of late-night Radio 3.

The Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi is one performer who has benefited from the proliferation of radio stations. A regular on Classic FM’s playlist, he has become classical music’s equivalent of a rock star.

Last night, he returned to the West Midlands to thrill a capacity audience with a deft and skillful rendition of works from his new album, Nightbook. The Turin-born, Milan-trained maestro was breathtaking, playing with composure and confidence with the dutiful backing of a peculiarly modern quintet that comprised strings, percussion and electronic sounds.

Einaudi’s was a virtuoso display and, having received two standing ovations, it was little wonder that he returned for an extended encore. He returned to key points in his career – Eden Roc and I Giorni – to dazzle the audience with reworked versions of familiar tunes.

That Einaudi has become such a star is cause for celebration. He is a man endowed with musical gifts and has helped to breathe new life into the classical genre. Last night, he transported the audience with plaintive, engaging, coruscating works. He was, in short, stupendous.