Ludovico Einaudi: Tiny Desk Concert

Kara Frame | July 15, 2022
Ludovico Einaudi was on a North American tour, playing before audiences in the thousands, when he stopped by the NPR office to play a far more intimate setting: a Tiny Desk set. It’s the first tour for the Italian pianist and composer since the beginning of the pandemic, following the release of his 2022 album, Underwater. It’s an album that captures how many have felt in the pandemic — feeling underwater, or trapped in another world.

It’s that relatable feeling — like we’re treading water trying to remain above the surface, powering through the adversity of the last two years — that makes Einaudi’s music so emotional and reflective. The pulsating strings of the opening song to his Tiny Desk concert, the track “Experience” from his 2013 album In A Time Lapse, demand attention, captivating the audience. The fact that the song recently went viral due to a TikTok trend only proves how welcoming Einaudi’s music is — and why he is the most-streamed classical pianist of all time.

Ludovico Einaudi’s presence at the piano keeps you waiting for more. His fingers glide over the keys effortlessly, but he never seems rushed. As he plays, his eyes are closed. And in this concert, you can tell his music moves him as much as it does his audience.

SET LIST
“Experience”
“Fly”
“Flora”
“Low Mist”

MUSICIANS
Ludovico Einaudi: piano
Federico Mecozzi: violin
Redi Hasa: cello
Francesco Arcuri: percussion

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer/Director: Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Director: Joshua Bryant
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Editor: Kara Frame
Videographers: Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Michael Zamora, Pierre Kattar
Production Assistant: Jill Britton, Joby Tanseco
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Marissa Lorusso, Hazel Cills, Ashley Pointer, Maia Stern
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #nprmusic #ludovicoeinaudi

[ketovore]

listening while having breakfast. most dramatic bowl of cereal I've ever eaten.

[stefan]

God, I never believed that Einaudi is making a Tiny Desk Concert but I‘m so happy it exists!!! One of my fav artists

[encm]

This man’s music has helped me through my darkest times, more than any person or thing on the planet. After the unexpected deaths of my sister, mother, father, and brother (all within 3 years of each other) nothing has spoken more to me than his melodies. His work changed me, in all the good ways, and it continues to do so. Forever grateful✨

[Zacnary]

When I was probably 9 or 10 years old, I remember calling my local public radio to win tickets for Einaudi. I was the lucky caller and my big brother went with me because he was always interested in hanging out with me despite being ten years older. I’m all grown up now but when I hear this man on the piano, I always feel like a little boy again, hanging out with my cool big bro.

[cubman]

This clip opened an entire world of music to me; I purchased sheet music, and I found myself back on a piano bench for the first time in 18 years. Life altering! Thank you, Tiny Desk

[oiification]

I know classical world rejects him for his modern classical leanings but I adore his work. It's unapologetically emotive, accessible and catchy

[thatbapa]

I didn't know I needed Ludovico doing a Tiny Desk appearance, but I definitely did. Loved this so much!

[mihaisea]

Einaudi the last modern classic composer. We are so lucky to share time with him.

[zezimatje]

The audio engineers always deliver, top notch.

[pyoungcannon]

I was so pleasantly shocked to see—what?!—LUDOVICO?!…on TINY DESK?!!

He and his music have been lifelines for me for nearly 20 years…I had no idea he was “known” enough for NPR to offer up this surprise.
Best Tiny Desk I’ve ever heard. Perfect setting and sound for this amazing artist and his work.

His music reconnects me to the highest joy and beauty, an expanse of light and peace and all things real and beautiful.
Thank you for sharing this performance today.

[llpaints]

As I'm listening to this I feel that the whole universe has softened

[sayrawr_]

Ludivicio helped me get through my grief at the lowest point in my life. Not go around it. Not avoid it. But to feel it and then heal from it. This man’s compositions are one sound I can recognize anywhere.

[mirage_]

Props to the cellist and violinist! They were spectacular.

[JustinCampbellP]

Can't believe they got Ludovico 😍

0:00 - Experience
5:10 - Fly
9:52 - Flora
16:02 - Low Mist

[serasvictoria]

Always when I look at Ludovico I see this humble, very ordinary guy... And then he speaks through his music, and it hits hard with its beauty, it tells me a story and it is full of soul and heart. It melts my heart, because it got hard because with some hard experiences. I feel what I'm afarid to feel. And it is giving me hope. Good to have you Ludovico, you and your music that live sounds even better. And greetings to your great musicians.

[cframes]

It is deeply disturbing that YouTube allows ads to pop up right in the middle of a song during such a perfect performance. Please YouTube, we know you want to sell premium accounts but do not desecrate these performances for monetary gain.

[DepressedCapitalist]

About time. Ludovico will now be heard by millions more, and his beautiful, cosmic, introspective, soul searching and heavenly music will fill many more hearts. So shall be it. Our world needs beauty.

[pandabearguy]

My suggestion: listen to Ludovico with headphones on and your eyes closed. You'd be surprised how much more of the music you're able to take in.

[zentaurus]

Ludovico deserves all the admiration despite the hate from the classical world.
He touches souls, that is what matters to me....🔥🖤🔥

[mitchelllazore]

Experience 00:00
Fly 5:10
Flora 9:50
Low mist 16:00