Ludovico Einaudi transforms sold-out Bijloke into an open-air cathedral for 2.5 hours

Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi transformed the Bijlokesite in Ghent into an open-air cathedral, holding a sold-out audience captive for two and a half hours at Gent Jazz. Einaudi, an unconventional figure in the music world, began his recording career at 32 and first performed publicly at 40. Today, he commands over 9 million monthly listeners on Spotify, has released 17 albums, and composed scores for more than 80 films and series, most notably the French hit 'Intouchables,' which propelled his piece 'Una Mattina' to global fame.

His music, often found on study and relaxation playlists, attracts a younger audience, a rarity in classical music. Purists sometimes dismiss his work as "elevator music," a label Einaudi shrugs off, stating, "I never claimed to be Mozart." The demand for tickets was so high that a second date was added after the initial one sold out within days.

The concert unfolded in three movements. It began with an ensemble of piano, strings, and percussion creating broad, cinematic soundscapes. Einaudi then performed solo at the piano, delivering intimate renditions of pieces like 'Una Mattina' and 'Nuvole Bianche.' During this segment, the Bijloke venue seemed to embody a cathedral, with the audience listening in hushed reverence, refraining from any noise until the final note faded.

The performance concluded with the return of the musicians, building to a powerful rendition of 'Experience.' Einaudi, whose family background includes a renowned publishing house and a grandfather who was Italy's second president, rarely spoke between pieces. His musical journey, however, was nurtured by his mother, who introduced him to Bach and Chopin on the piano during his childhood.

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I never claimed to be Mozart.