Einaudi’s Piano by Candlelight – ‘Spirited Away’

If you are looking for a quiet hour in Brighton this May, St Paul's Church is hosting a series of performances titled Einaudi’s Piano by Candlelight – ‘Spirited Away’. It is an immersive setup that blends live piano music with digital and light installations designed by Emma Yitong Shen. The concept draws inspiration from the meditative qualities of Ludovico Einaudi’s compositions, the soundtrack of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, and elements of Japanese Zen storytelling. The pianist Matthew Shiel leads these sessions, which are designed to create a focused, calm environment for the audience.

The musical programme is quite varied, moving through different styles of contemporary and classical piano. You can expect to hear pieces by Joe Hisaishi, specifically One Summer's Day and The Merry-go-round of Life, alongside Ludovico Einaudi’s own works like Le Onde, I Giorni, and Nightbook. The set also incorporates Erik Satie’s Gymnopédie No.1, Philip Glass’s The Poet Acts and I'm going to make a cake, as well as François Couperin’s Les Barricades Mystérieuses and John Cage’s 4'33''. It is a structured hour of music that aims to provide a space for listeners to sit and reflect, rather than a traditional concert hall experience.

For those planning to attend, the performances are scheduled for the 5th, 9th, and 13th of May 2026, with each session starting at 18:00 and lasting for 60 minutes. Tickets are priced between £11.00 and £28.33, depending on the category you choose. The venue also operates a ‘Babes in Arms’ policy, meaning children under the age of two can attend for free if they sit on a lap. Given the nature of the event, it is generally open to all ages, though it is primarily aimed at those interested in contemporary classical music and film soundtracks. It is worth noting that the event has been reviewed in publications like the Edinburgh Guide and Binge Fringe, where the atmosphere has been described as meditative and focused.