Information about the piece

Le Onde is a beautiful piano composition by internationally acclaimed Italian pianist and composer, Ludovico Einaudi. Here's everything a piano lover should know about this marvellous tune:

• Origin: The song was first made public in the year 1996 as the title track of Einaudi's album, Le Onde. This album marked his debut in the field of solo piano compositions. The phrase Le Onde translates to The Waves in English, providing a poetic insight into the natural fluidity which characterizes the song.

• Context: Einaudi was reportedly inspired by Virginia Woolf's novel The Waves while composing this song. He managed to imbue the composition with the rhythmic ebb and flow that is reminiscent of the ocean's waves - a quality which powerfully connects his music to the book's central theme.

• Musical Theory: Le Onde features a hypnotic repetition of simple yet stunning melodies that create a soothing, wave-like sensation. It's largely characterized by a minimalistic musical style. From a structural perspective, here are three notable characteristics of Le Onde:

• Loops and repetitions, capturing the essence of waves.

• The heavy use of the sustain pedal, resulting in a continuous sound that underlies the entire piece.

• A comparatively simple left-hand accompaniment, enabling the continuous rhythm of quavers.

For those who wish to bring Le Onde to life on their own piano an intermediate sheet music version is available for purchase and download on our website. This is an ideal opportunity to play and enjoy this contemporary solo piano piece.