[Gabriel]

I don't know about everyone else, but since Ludovico confirmed that composition of the new album is already in progress, excitement levels have started to rise . So I thought I'd start this thread so that we can begin to share our thoughts, hopes and expectations of the new album, and as a place to post any snippets of information we discover as time moves forward.

To get things going, I have a couple of general thoughts. Firstly, how will Ludovico approach the new album?. Divenire has been (and still is) a major success on many levels - a breakthrough album. Folllowing up such a successful album is not always easy - expectations become hightened. Radiohead faced this with OK Computer. It was feted as 'the best album ever' - not by them of course. It is a fantastic album. However, they surprised the world by following it with Kid A and (soon after) Amnesiac, which were both significantly more experimental and took their brilliance to an even higher level. Importantly the music was still accessible, and Radiohead maintained - maybe even increased, their support. On a personal level, if Ludovico did something similar with the next album - created something with a definite experimental edge, but that people can also relate to and take into their hearts, I would be ecstatic. I accept that's not an easy thing to achieve, but I have great faith in Ludovico to pull it off - if that's what he chooses to do .

Divenire seems to have been created in a different way to Ludovico's other albums. From what I've read, for some of those previous albums he'd shut himself away - either in Milan or in Piedmont, and would compose the album over a relatively short period of time (weeks). With Divenire, the album concept was established quite a time before the recording of the album (i.e. following the festival in the dolomites when he first played the main Divenire pieces), and it seems he composed the other tracks with this concept in mind, over quite a long period - testing them in the live environment and possibly refining them, before finally recording the album (as an aside, I remember reading in the posts on the italian forum, this growing excitement about a fantastic new piece called 'Oltremare' that ludovico was playing at the italian concerts - when I finally heard it I realised the reason for the excitement ). That process undoubtedly contributed to the wonderful coherence and ultimate success of the album. It'll be interesting to see what process he uses for the next album. He's been touring almost constantly since the release of Divenire, but I'm sure he's also done some composing (he said in one of his recent interviews that he uses sound checks etc, to develop and try out new pieces). Maybe he's going to use his solo concerts to try out and refine tracks for his album next year?.

Again, on a personal level, I'd love the album to be piano led, but with increased use of electronic sounds (but not synthesizers). I adored the amplified and treated sounds from the bass and cello etc. at his concerts. Perhaps he could use that as a way of retaining strings within his sound, but using them in a new and unusual way?. I'd also like to hear more of his guitar playing. However, the piano - and Ludovico's exquisite playing, should dominate the album.

That's probably enough for now .

[Cathy]

Yep, I'm definitely looking forward to this too.

Personally I hope it's a case of piano, piano, piano.

Maybe a stringy piece or two.

Less keen on the electronics, which I felt were slightly 'overdone' at the last Warwick concert. That's probably just me being a boring old fart. Can I say that? I do like them when they are used to enhance a piece, but I felt that as time went on they had started to dominate and possibly distract.

I love Divenire, and as you say, it will be a hard act to follow, but I have faith!

Ages and ages ago I heard him playing a gorgeous piece in ivisit. Ashamed to say I can remember little about it now, other than it sounded like water rushing over pebbles. I may have dreamt that, but I don't think I did.

Anyway, hope that evolves into a new piece for the album.

[Gabriel]

I generally liked the electronics in the concerts, but do remember being unnerved once by some additions to Ascolta which destroyed its intensity. Robert seemed to be constantly thinking how he could add something extra to the live songs, and on some occasions it worked well, othertimes not so well. On balance I'm glad that he experimented. Eden Roc became more of a Robert piece that a Ludo one - especially when the tenori-on started to be used (although I loved seeing Ludovico's aggressive playing during the piece). Like you Cathy, I'd prefer that the electronics remain part of the sound, rather than its dominant feature. On Divenire they are used quite subtly, but very effectively. On Andare and Ascolta they contribute so much to the mood of the pieces, but they certainly don't dominate them. With Uno the electronics are more evident and create a fantastic atmosphere that accentuates the impact of the piano when it finally joins, and continues right through the track. Brilliant!. That's the sort of thing I'd like to see more of on the new album.

[Cathy]

Cathy, on Aug 13 2008, 10:00 AM, said:

Personally I hope it's a case of piano, piano, piano.

Maybe a stringy piece or two.

I know I only posted that this morning, but please may I change my mind?

I do LOVE Ludo's solo piano pieces, but having thought about it some more... lots of strings would also be excellent. Lots and lots of strings! I don't know what it is about the way Ludovico arranges his string pieces, but they really tear me to shreds, in the most beautiful of ways, of course.

So, if you're reading this Mr E, lots of gorgeous piano solo pieces and lots and lots of stirring piano and string arrangements please. Failing that, I'll settle for whatever you have in mind, as I'm sure it will be fandiddlytastic!!!!!!!!

Double album? Could be pushing my luck... but it's a thought...



Feeling a bit scatterbrained today, so back over to you sensible people now...

[fifao]

Probably the main reason I joined this forum was to scope out when a new album might appear .

Although I really like Divenire, and the new sounds LE brought with it, I'm ready for another hard-core piano album. I think of Le Onde as his most diverse work, because he brings several pieces of definitely different origins together. If he could expound upon that, I think it'd be fantastic. Part of what makes LE special is the fact that he stays away from a lot of the 'new sound', i.e. synth.

Having said that, I'm not aversed to seeing some strings in there as well. Eden Roc combines the two instruments well, and it'd be nice to see it done again.

In any event, looking forward to what LE has for us. Do I have to wait til 2009?

fifao

P.S. I almost choked when I saw Cathy say that first bit about strings. Aren't you the self-acclaimed Giorni Dispari fanatic!?

[Gabriel]

I'll probably change my mind a few times as well Cathy. That's the thing with Ludovico and this next album - there are a number of directions he could take it and each would be great. He could decide to return to a pure piano album - strictly no accompaniments. That wouldn't necessarily mean stepping back towards Le Onde or Una Mattina. Some of his live piano improvisations have been startling and dramatic (the new ending for Olremare is a relatively conservative example). He could do a string-laden piano concerto (or even a symphony), or a more rock-orientated concept album (The Way of the Centaur etc. ?).

What do other forum-ites think. Should it be electronics or strings (or both), pure piano, new world influences (possibly from his trip to India), using new instruments? What would you prefer?

Edit: I've just seen your post fifao - I like the idea of a 'hard core' piano album - and definitely no synths for me either (although I wouldn't be averse to some hammond organ).

[Griff]

A part of me thought that this topic would be getting replies by the minute because I have been estatic ever since I read that the new album will be released in 2009. Never before have I been impatient for the year to turn around!

With regards to this topic, I would be throughlly satisfied if the album is dominated by pure piano pieces, I would even like for it to have a couple (or maybe few) tracks with the violent and chello. I think that's because I simply love Primavera and Divenire.

Having said that, I would love to be surprised! Personally, at times I hate surprises but I feel utterly confident that Ludovico will not leave anybody disappointed. I believe my views mirror those of you who have already posted on this topic!

JUST incase Ludovico does read this post. It would be absolutely brilliant, if a taster (of the new album) will be played for the audience present at Barbican Hall for the upcoming concert! Even hearing half a piece would be priceless! If not then, then maayyybeeee a taster at the "possible" concert the day after? hahaha I think I'm being cheeky now. Either way, I shall be present at both concerts and will have an extra ear for something I haven't heard before!!

[Dan]

Strings, strings, strings!!! Maybe not necessarily a Divenire 2 but I just think that Marco and Ludovico go so well together.

[laura_daniele_ld]

I'like so much if He would follow the path started in TIME OUT (1988).

Sorry for my English.

Laura

PS:
Maestro, is it possibile to think of a re-edition of the ISO's TIME-OUT performance, maybe with the Ezralow's dance company that has performed WHY during 2007?

Thanks

Laura

[Maria]

Thinking about this... I don't care what kind of sounds use Ludovico in his new album. I like all the options you have mentioned.

I love piano (even many many years ago I tried to learn playing but... it didn't work), so a piano album would be very good.

Strings too, there are wonderful moments in Divenire. I remember before listen to Diario Mali I thought that the sound of piano and kora together was curious or a little strange, even though I like very much the kora. However, now, I think this album is amazing. So I'd like any kind of string instrument, too.

Finally, I'm not a big fan of electronic music, but I really like the electronic touch in Divenire, so... I'd like it too. And if the new album would have some indian influences, as Gabriel said... fantastic too!

Maybe, the best would be a little of everything, all of us would be happy But that's not the point, I think. A musician, an artist should create in the way it needs to transmite its feelings or whatever it wants to communicate. Later, if we like the result, wonderful!

So I hope Ludovico keep creating his beautiful music however he does.

(I'm not absolutly sure of my english is correct in this post, sorry if it isn't this way).

[Gabriel]

Great comments Maria your english is excellent, you express your thoughts beautifully. Laura, I also love Time Out, and a new performance would be fantastic!.

As a couple of us have said, Ludovico could actually produce an album that incorporates everything we have mentioned. Divenire itself is multi-faceted. For 'hard core' piano enthusiasts, what could be better than the trio of Oltremare, Monday and Ritornare?. There are the sting-driven pieces Divenire, Svanire, Primavera etc., and the electronic enhanced experiments of Uno, Ascolta and Fly......plus more!. It'll be interesting to see if he goes for this approach again, or decides to focus more on one element. My preference is still for another multi-faceted album, but with some new and quite challenging/radical explorations. Whatever he chooses, I hope that the album celebrates the incredible sensitivity and expression of his piano playing to the full.

[James Bradley]

Wow, a new album?

(...Wow, i still exist?)

Anyway.

I personally like the idea of the 'multi-faceted' album, or at least where he doesn't set himself 'limits' - if a certain piece calls for something, just add it in, that sort of thing. Someone mentioned a symphony, I would be curious as to how that would turn out. Mike Oldfield just released an orchestral album, and it's interesting to see artists outside of their comfort- or familiarity-zones.


ALthough I have a weakness for spectacular almost African choral sounds. Those, on an Einaudi piece? That might just make my decade

[Josh]

It's so hard to tell where Ludovico will go with this album, especially since I haven't seen him live for a while and am a little out of touch with his more recent exploration. My guess though is that it will focus more on electronics. I get the feeling somehow that we're up for something more abstract and edgy. Divenire focused on the grand and the melancholic, but songs like The Tower and Way of the Centaur suggest that his electronic experimentations have another side. Perhaps it will be a bit of a 'Marmite' album.

And perhaps his more recent travels will find their way into his music, but I'm quite doubtful that they will have any impact deeper than harmonically. I don't recall him being in Japan or India for a particularly long period of time - it might be enough to inspire him harmonically or melodically (like I Giorni) but probably not long enough to truely understand the inner nature of that music and how instruments native to those cultures work.

My final thought is that perhaps it will feature more guest musicians, in line with the collaborative nature of the Royal Albert Hall gig...but this could be really off the mark.

Somehow I would love to not go to any concerts until it's out, so that I can enjoy hearing the album completely fresh like I did the day when I bought Le Onde, Eden Roc and I Giorni - with no preconception other than having heard a few tracks - maybe one or two from each. With Divenire I felt like I knew the album back to front before I even bought it. It didn't ruin my enjoyment in any way, but that experience of hearing it completely fresh would be amazing. (Although this is more than likely a way of me justifying the fact that I can't afford to go to the Barbican concert. )

Edit: Lol @ Griff's post - would love to hear an album with piano, "violent and chello" too! Wonder how that would sound!

[Gabriel]

I understand exactly what you mean about about hearing an album completely fresh, Josh. Divenire was like that for me. Almost all of Divenire was completely new to me. I'd heard some of it at Liverpool, but that had just been a taster, and I couldn't remember the tracks in detail. There is something magical about a new album unfurling before you for the first time. However many times you subsequently listen to it, you'll never experience it in that way again.

Picking up on your point about guest musicians, I wonder in Ludovico will invite Robert (and possibly Ronald) to contribute?.

[ludovico_fan]

in a lot of the videos uploaded, and tracks, and just observing how ludovico is improvising on tracks, and how some of them turn out. makes me excited

i 100% hope piano is the only instrument. to be perfectly open and honest, divenire was not enough for a piano lover, the amount of solo piano was lacking. even some solo's where backed by looped piano. i really hope ludovico would release a piano album again.

However i love cello and violin as much as the next, i dont care much for strings nor do i care much for electronic bass and beats, if anyone made me listen to these, it was ludovico, but i didn't listen. completely in love or anything. i listened, because i respect ludovico and i laid trust in the compositions, for me Una Mattina, was the best album he has released, it was a great selection of solo piano with a handfull of instruments colaborating, it had a story to tell, it had character, it was an album i bought and knew from the first minute i played it, that i would be spaced out in the land of dreams for the remainder of the album, and to this day it still has some of the most emotional peices contained within it.

a new refreshing lift of life i feel i would love to hear in the new album, a new selection of the best (for me) composer/pianist's offerings, I would love an album, i will play and feel completely at ease, indulged in ludovico's way of showing me piano's essence ( what i love the most ), an album where my feelings are released again like when i first heard ludovico's peices, that flurry of interest in something i loved but didnt quite understand then.

Great news, thank you Gabriel for the information, i wouldnt have known otherwise.
Take Care
Iain

[Gabriel]

I enjoyed reading your comments Iain. I certainly share your love of Una Mattina, and particularly your comment 'I knew that from the first minute i played it, that i would be spaced out in the land of dreams for the remainder of the album' - lovely . I don't find it too easy to express a preference for the style of next album, the margins between the options are quite small and (as you indicate Iain) any Ludovico Einaudi album, of any style will be very special. If he chose to create a piano only album, I would love that too. In his live concerts, my preference is more definite. I love seeing him play with a band - I enjoyed the 'rock concert' ambiance of some of them (the itunes festival one in London springs to mind). However, seeing Ludovico play solo (or with his subtle electronic accompaniments) is an experience beyond most others

(James, just noticed your post. It's great to see you - and to read my old-new year's resolution again!)

[pianomonica]

I love just about everything Einaudi has ever written, so I feel confident that whatever way he decides to go, the new album will be wonderful. I just hope that if he does include more strings/electronica that he is able to transcribe them into viable piano solo format so that we mortals can try to play them with the beauty that he is capable of.

p.s. My first post! This is only the second forum I have ever belonged to.

[Stephen]

Hello Monica!
You're not the same Monica I have just been conversing with re. Ralph Zurmühle on a different music forum is it?
Anyway, a warm welcome to this Forum.
:-)

[Euan]

Stephen, on Aug 21 2008, 12:09 PM, said:

Hello Monica!
You're not the same Monica I have just been conversing with re. Ralph Zurmühle on a different music forum is it?
Anyway, a warm welcome to this Forum.
:-)

Yeess - the Pianistically World Famous Monica K has joined the forum
Welcome! (it feels odd welcoming YOU, seeing as you always go out your way to welcome others to PW!)

[Gabriel]

(Hi again Euan, and welcome Monica ).

I want to introduce a discussion point - how much influence should a record label have over an artist's work?

I remember reading a comment by someone on the forum to the effect that Ludovico had been pressured by the record company into releasing a new piano based album (Una Mattina). I'm not sure if that was conjecture or based on something that Ludovico has said, but it's stuck in my mind and, now with the development of the new album, it makes me feel nervous. I also read somewhere (although I may have imagined this) that the record label discouraged Ludovico from releasing his recordings with Robert and Ronald Lippok, as they would detract focus from the promotion and sales of Divenire.

We have to be realistic - music is a 'business' and record labels invest money in developing and promoting artists. They don't only do that out of the kindness of their hearts, but also because they see it as an investment that will bring financial dividends. I suppose therefore that they feel they have a right to influence when a new album is to be released, and even the content of that album. I just hope that Decca realise that if they leave Ludovico alone to create the album in his own time and his own direction that it will be a be in everyone's interests. I presume that this will depend on the terms of the contract that Ludovico has with them.

Having said that, I find it hard to imagine Ludovico accepting that level of interference. He's always appeared to do things 'his way', which is a major factor in his success. With his concerts he's clearly more interested in engaging people than in making lots of money. He's filled the Royal Albert Hall, and could play fewer, bigger concerts if he wished. But he chooses to play largely in provincial towns and small festivals. Even when he plays in major cities, he sometimes plays smaller venues (the Paris concerts are this time in a much more intimate setting, and Ludovico says that the second London concert will be at a small venue). Looking at the videos of his Italian concerts, most seem to be wonderfully intimate. I think that's such a great gift to his fans, and just one more reason why we are so devoted to him.

So I'm sure that the choices Ludovico will make about his new album will not be commercially driven, but will be for artistic and people reasons. It's great that he is commercially successful, I'm sure that will continue, but in my opinion he's more likely to achieve both commerical and artistic success by following the path his creativity and instinct takes him, rather than trying to recreate Divenire2 under pressure from record labels.

OK, I'm making lots of assumptions about things I don't really know about, but - what do others think about this? Is it legitimate that record labels should have a say in the development of an artist's career and works? or should they just leave the creative side to the artists, and focus on financing, profile and promotion?.