It’s difficult to describe the hushed, atmospheric beauty that is Ludovico Einaudi’s most recent disc, In a Time Lapse, recorded last fall in a Venetian monastery. Spare, elegant piano lines, with subtle strings adding texture, plus the tiny shock of the disc’s electronic pulse make for a cleansing listening experience.

Einaudi himself is quite OK with the “minimalism” label. “In general, I don’t like definitions, but `minimalist’ is a term that means elegance and openness, so I would prefer to be called a minimalist than something else,” he has been quoted as saying.

A conventional classical education for the Turin-born composer was supplemented by a passion for rock and pop as well as a fascination with world and ambient music. His work also includes soundtracks for television and film, including the 2002 remake of Doctor Zhivago.

Einaudi, who will be in Montreal for a May 16 concert, has graciously taken the time to suggest some listening for us this week.

1. Doom and Gloom – The Rolling Stones

2. Willow – Fredrika Stahl

3. Black Swan – Thom Yorke

4. Sour Times – Portishead

5. Season of the Witch – Donovan

6. Train In the Distance – Paul Simon