Einaudi's digital sales break classical record

The Italian composer's latest release, In a Time Lapse, is the first classical recording to sell more digital copies than physical, making it into specialist classical chart and the overall UK album charts.

Ludovico Einaudi's new album, In a Time Lapse, has broken classical records this week by becoming the first recording to sell more digital downloads than physical copies, despite being available both online and in the shops. This is his second album to storm the digital charts, with his 2011 release, Islands, selling almost exactly the same number of physical and digital copies in its first week of release.



72% of sales of Einaudi's new album, In a Time Lapse, were digital only, catching up with the overall market trend. Digital downloads officially overtook physical sales in the record industry as a whole back in May 2012, and it seems classical music is catching up with this trend.



Managing Director of the Official Charts Company, Martin Talbot, said: "Einaudi's impressive achievement is also a perfect illustration of the coming of age of digital classical music. Since we launched the Official Classical Singles Chart last spring, Ludovico Einaudi has been one of its biggest and most consistent stars."



The album, featuring orchestral arrangements and Einaudi's trademark solo piano music was released last week. Einaudi will be performing many of his new pieces when he tours the UK in April.

Read our review of In a Time Lapse, featured on Classic FM Drive, and listen to previews of the music here.