Giovanni Allevi
AlleviLive @ Teatro delle Celebrazioni (BO), 04/03/08

The audience, mostly older, dressed up nicely for the much-anticipated event, sitting and chatting with neighbors but not making too much noise. As soon as the lights dimmed, there was a deadly silence. 30 seconds of soft light, then he runs in. Dark hoodie, jeans, and Converse shoes. It's him, the curly-haired one. He slightly smiles and looks at us all. He takes the microphone and begins to speak in a low voice. He doesn't want to create "atmosphere"; it's his normal tone. His mannerisms make him seem apparently naive, perhaps a bit awkward. He sits down and begins to tap the keys of his life. "AlleviLive" is a tour that tells the evolution of Giovanni, his (un)successes, and his spirit.

I started out skeptical, I admit it. Being a lover of more traditional piano, when I discovered this artist, I was struck only on one side. On one hand, I was fascinated by his way of conceiving the piano as a tool for spreading undoubtedly "superior" music to the masses; on the other hand, I found that he oversimplified this concept, reducing everything to short, singable pieces, "instrumental ditties." Seeing him live, believe me, helped me clarify my thoughts.

First of all, even though studio or live recordings are flawless, the IMAGE is missing: seeing him there, sitting in front of you, moving those tight and fast little fingers on the piano, truly gives you the impression of a pure virtuoso, as perhaps it hadn't seemed on the records. It seems obvious, but maybe not even that much.

Secondly, the concert you witness has no cuts: you follow a logical thread through the pieces, with significant tone shifts; slow pieces, some frenzied, others dissonant and crazy.

Finally, it's live that you realize the true personality of Allevi. At first glance, his way of interacting with people almost irritates you, making him seem like a faux fool. Listening to him and seeing him, you are finally shown, right before your very eyes, that there are no pretenses of any kind. He is a caricature character, but it's HIM. And as he himself says, his fragility is also his strength.

As for the rest, a very appetizing setlist, including Japan, Il Nuotatore, Jazzmatic, Come Sei Veramente, Monolocale 7:30 AM, Back to Life, L'Orologio Degli Dei (perhaps my favorite), New Renaissance and once again, Aria.

The applause at the end of each piece, and the concert being too short, urged him to do 3 encores, to the utter delight of the ecstatic audience. And he, moved, with hands clasped to thank us.

An experience I never thought so touching, so intense and enlightening. Who cares if the sound system wasn't the best, the seats were uncomfortable, and a child clapped whenever he liked? Absolutely nothing. By the end of the concert, I made sure to get an autograph on the double album and some unfortunately blurry photos.

The "AlleviLive Tour" is long. If it comes by you, don't think too much about it. I bet you too need to reconsider. So just go. But don't applaud too much. He might faint.