Ludovico Einaudi was born in Turin on November 23, 1955. He took a diploma in composition at the Conservatorio G. Verdi in Milan with Azio Corghi, and continued his studies with Luciano Berio, with whom he has worked as assistant on various musical and theatrical projects. His creative career began with several chamber and symphonic compositions, which were quickly performed by important international musical institutions. Starting in the 1980s, Einaudi began his journey in search of a freer language, capable of absorbing diverse musical cultures and influences, especially the immediacy, emotional change, and sonic impact of rock. In addition to purely concert music, he has written for the cinema, the theater, video, and dance. Einaudi has recently created the Einaudi Electric Ensemble, a five-member group with a repertory of his music, in which the composer plays the piano.

Whether playing solos or accompanying, the cello has undeniable appeal for musicians and music lovers. Right from the first strokes of the bow, Canto for solo cello displays the singing quality of the instrument. First performed in Rome in 1996, Canto was written for the cellist Madeleine Shapiro.