Nightbook [Import]

Ludovico Einaudi (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Decca Import
• ASIN: B002L1FAOW
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,112 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Recording!, November 15, 2009

By 

J. Sparks (Xenia, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nightbook (Audio CD)

I "discovered" Ludovico Einaudi about two years ago after building a large piano CD collection by the likes of George Winston, Phillip Aaberg, Michael Jones, etc. I first heard Einaudi's music on NPR's "Echoes", and immediately was entranced by the way he fused classical, folk, and "new-age" piano. Nightbook is no exception and every note is well worth the US price of admission for an outstanding neo-classical aural experience under the guidance of a world-class pianist!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars haunting, majestic, beautiful, November 28, 2009

By 

W. Smith (Upstate NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nightbook (Audio CD)

I first heard about Nightbook listening to a BBC broadcast in the middle of the night when I could not sleep. There was an interview with Ludovico Einaudi and he played some of the pieces in the BBC studio. I had never heard of him before and was not sure how to spell his name. The next morning, the music was still haunting me. Fortunately, I was able to find the composer's name on the BBC web site - but it would be another month before the CD release in the United States.

After some Internet searching, I found a domestic copy of the CD for $14 and pre-ordered it.

The CD finally arrived about two weeks ago and - I must say - I find it more beautiful and compelling than I had expected.

The CD ranges from the quiet and introspective to the soaring and majestic. I do think there are a couple of stellar pieces here though. Lady Labyrinth and Nightbook (tracks 2 and 3) are strong churning pieces that combine piano, strings, percussion, etc. Simply awesome. These segue into Indaco (track 4), which is a haunting somber number that starts quietly, builds and fades. Beautiful.

At this point, Amazon has not posted audio clips from the album. If you would like to listen to some of the music, there are currently several YouTube video clips posted with music from this album. Check them out.

Sometimes the pace of life can be intense these days. If you need to bring things down a notch, and want to sit back, relax and find some inner peace - give this one a listen.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From MainlyPiano, February 2, 2010

By 

Kathy Parsons (Florence, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Nightbook (Audio CD)

As the promotional material I received says, "Ludovico Einaudi might be the most popular musician you've never heard of. But if you're a fan of film, television, or even basketball, you've probably heard his music." Several years ago, I was lucky enough to have a friend from England send me the European release, "Echoes," a "best of" album akin to Narada's and Windham Hill's releases of David Lanz's and Yanni's music. I loved the music, but that and Einaudi's many other albums were always imports and expensive. That has finally started to change. His latest album, "Nightbook," was released in Europe last fall and just recently in the US, to be followed by a couple of concerts in CA in March 2010. Einaudi's music is very difficult to classify - sometimes classical crossover, sometimes new age or ambient, sometimes pop, Einaudi is an artist who cannot be put in a box, and more power to him for that! Nightbook contains a fascinating combination of the gentle, dreamy music Einaudi is especially known for, some very uptempo "fun" music, and some really edgy stuff. Most tracks include strings, percussion, and electronics, but Einaudi's piano is always the "star."

"Nightbook" begins with "In Principio," a piece for piano and electronics that suggests floating in open space - calm and very peaceful. Next up is "Lady Labyrinth," with a driving rhythm, cello, lots of percussion, and a feeling of dark mystery. I love this one! Then comes the title track! I love this one, too! A real toe-tapper while remaining soulful and passionate, the energy is infectious and thrilling. Almost an antidote to the fun, "Indaco" gently brings us back to earth with a haunting piece for piano and strings. Gorgeous! "The Snow Prelude N.15" and "N. 2" are the only two solo piano pieces (not counting the bonus track), and both are elegant and deeply emotional. "Eros" is extremely intense. Strings, piano, drums, and electronics play repeated notes and rhythms that continue to build throughout the piece with only slight variations (possibly driving some listeners a little crazy!). This seems like great music for a film soundtrack because of the dark intensity and suspense. "The Crane Dance" is a dramatic change, calming and soothing with incredible beauty. "The Tower" is the edgiest piece on the album. It must have been recorded in layers, as Einaudi plays piano, electric piano, celesta, tubular bells, and acoustic guitars while Robert Lippok supplies live electronics. Very dark and intense, it builds slowly from a quiet but frenetic start to a bigger, denser, and extremely agitated climax and then starts to recede. Whew! It's quite a ride! After that, "Reverie" is pure musical heaven - gentle, sweet, and full of grace. I love the pairing of piano and cello, and this one is magical! "The Planets" shows Einaudi's more ambient side. Just piano and electronics, we are again effortlessly floating in space, completely at peace. The bonus track, "Piste Sans Titre 13," is a different version of the title track. Much slower and a piano solo, it is almost meditative in its stillness. I have to admit that I was amazed to discover that it was the same piece. What an incredible album!

This is some amazing music, and I fully expect this album to be one of my favorites of the year! Very highly recommended!