MY URBAN PIANO Diary 2
Behind the scenes of Episode 1: TRAIN OF DREAMS
Episode 1 is out
Episode 1 of MY URBAN PIANO has been released last week on 26.04.2017. I wrote a newsletter about the release containing the most important video and press links, which you can read here. It has been an exciting journey so far, and in this episode of MY URBAN PIANO Diary I would like to elaborate on the genesis of the first videoclip of the series, TRAIN OF DREAMS. But first, please watch the clip if you haven’t seen it yet:
Background
I developed the initial idea for My Urban Piano with my manager Björn Teske and our mutual friend Christian Leins in late summer 2016. After we had set the frame for our project (12 music videos in 12 cities with 12 designed pianos), Björn and I started to talk with potential partners. Everyone was intrigued by our presentation, and most of them jumped on the train so that we were able to raise enough money to launch the project.
One of our first partners was CFL, the Luxembourgish railway company, and despite the difficult logistics of our dream scenario — me playing the piano on a driving train, the perfect start for my journey — they were incredibly helpful and supportive. Not only did they put a whole train at our disposal, but they also made it possible for us to drive to the northernmost station of the country and back to Luxembourg again, a route that would allow us to film for more than two hours. Finally, the train was parked in a repository, where most of the piano playing scenes were filmed.
The compelling screenplay was written by James Chan-A-Sue, who also co-directed Train of Dreams. James wrote a behind-the-scenes article on his website where he also shares some pics of the storyboard. Vitùc, our second co-director, is the director of Mama, the video that inspired us to develop MY URBAN PIANO.
The story
The story begins with me rushing into the central station in Luxembourg. I want to catch my train on time, but when I enter the station, I hear piano music. Since a crowd of people is standing around the piano (my heartfelt thanks to all the extras who participated in the video shoot!), I can’t see who is playing, and I run back to my train. After a short nap on the train, I realize that the same pianist is still playing somewhere, and again, I get up to find out who that mysterious piano player is…
Interpretation of TRAIN OF DREAMS
As James states so accurately in our Making Of video, the traveller who starts out on a journey, will eventually meet himself. So, by traveling with the Train of Dreams, I am searching not only my true destination and vocation, but finally myself, an analogy that everyone can probably relate to.
The purpose of the TRAIN OF DREAMS is to lead us to the fulfillment of our dreams.
In musical terms, Train of Dreams is a very rhythmic and energetic piece that symbolizes the inner courage that drives us to embark on an adventurous journey with an uncertain ending. Despite the upbeat rhythms, there is also a dreamy feel to the piece, mainly because of its intense and somewhat melancholic melody. It’s the longing for a life that’s bigger than oneself, the wish for expansion of the soul, that ultimately pushes the traveler to break out of his everyday routine, to dive into the unknown, to start something completely new.
I hope that you enjoy the music video. If you do, please share and spread the word about MY URBAN PIANO. There is a lot more to come. Get on the TRAIN OF DREAMS and join the movement!
The single TRAIN OF DREAMS is available on streaming and download platforms like iTunes, Apple Music and Spotify.
Pianist and composer David Ianni from Luxembourg has become well-known for his project MY URBAN PIANO: a series of music videos is produced in different European Capitals of Culture. An original composition is dedicated to each city, performed on an artistically designed piano. Each piano is donated. Join the journey and follow David on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and sign up for his newsletter. Each video plus making of material is published to David’s YouTube channel. For more information, please visit www.davidianni.com.
