His music halted protests in Turkey. Now the traveling piano man has come to Boston
When Davide Martello heard there were political protests in Istanbul in June 2013, he drove from Bulgaria, where he had been traveling, to put himself, and his grand piano, in the center of the tension.
As he began to play in the streets, the crowd quieted and even police stopped to listen. The police would eventually take his piano away for “security reasons’’ (he got it back two days later), but Martello said he’ll never forget the experience.
“I was playing for everyone,’’ he said. “I just try to play against the violence.’’
Martello has spent the past few years traveling on a self-directed world tour across the globe. He said playing in Turkey was the most emotional experience he’s had on his tour, but he also said the past few days in Boston, where he’s spent his evenings playing in Copley Square, have been some of the most memorable.
“This is the first time in America I’ve had this kind of reaction to my music,’’ he said. “People have walked out of their way to come sit and listen for such a long period of time compared to other cities. Here more than other places they seem open to classical music.’’
Martello isn’t sure why Bostonians are more receptive to his music than residents of other cities, but he said Copley Square has been the perfect outdoor venue.
“It’s not usual for me to be able to play in the center of the city in America,’’ he said. “Copley Square is big and people can hear me from all angles. The architecture is beautiful, too.’’
Martello, who is Italian by blood but lives in Germany, shipped his electric piano from Germany to the U.S. about a year ago when he began his stateside tour. When he travels, he loads the piano into a trailer, which he attaches to his Volkswagon. He usually spends about a week in each city and said he supports himself with tips from his live performances, as well as savings from the concerts he’s given in Germany.
He’s been playing in Boston since Monday evening, and will continue playing evenings until Monday night. Then he’ll continue on to New York City.
“I feel most comfortable playing in the dark,’’ he said. “I can hear the sound billowing out into the black of the night but it’s during that time I know that music is my voice.’’
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