Dardust

Dario Faini, professionally known as Dardust, is an Italian pianist, composer and multiplatinum record producer. His style combines minimalist piano with contemporary electronic sounds.

One of the most influential pianists of his generation, Dardust has released four albums including a trilogy of instrumentals. His music has been heard at such global events as the Olympics, the Superbowl, the NBA All Star Game, including live performances around the world like in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and an European Tour. As an exceptional songwriter and producer, he has scored a string of hits in Italy, with more than 70 Platinum records and two victories at the "Sanremo Festival": the first one in 2019 with "Soldi" by Mahmood and the last 2024 edition with "La Noia" by Angelina Mango.

In 2024, Dardust visited the House of Krug in Reims where he met Cellar Master Julie Cavil. There, he discovered the two champagnes of Les Créations de 2011 for which he created original Krug Echoes compositions. His first, “Floating Fireworks”, inspired by Krug Grande Cuvée 167^ème Édition is comprised of three movements that journey from arpeggios to a musical crescendo to mirror the experience of discover the champagne’s fullness of flavours and aromas. The second, “Reversed Seasons”, inspired by Krug 2011, focuses on two strong and opposing elements: the piano and the extreme beat of the electronic drum and bass evoke the unique profile of this champagne, which ranges from cooked fruits to freshness, elegant bitterness and a vibrant finish.

Discover Les Créations de 2011

A talk with Dardust

Do you remember your first sip of Krug?

I absolutely remember it! It was a “plot twist”, a revelation as powerful and unexpected as discovering a new melody or surprising beat – a great manifestation awakening sensations I didn’t know I could have.

What do you have in common with Krug?

Being steadfast in the roots of the past, always with an eye towards the future, searching for the most generous sound, melody, composition – or champagne assemblage – day after day.

Tell us about your compositions for Les Créations de 2011.

Both compositions have a powerful character full of strong contrasts. When I tasted these two champagnes, I felt an intense sensation, totally unknown to my palate, a feeling which I translated into music.

My first composition, “Krug Grande Cuvée 167^ème Édition”, is comprised of three movements. For the first, I used delays and arpeggios to express the many colours of the various plots’ wines, like an impressionist composer. The second movement describes the happiness in discovering new flavours and that beautiful sense of accomplishment. At the same time, I express in music the explosion of unique and contrasting colours. The third movement starts with a huge crescendo, with orchestra colours and electronic layers. There are many different sounds, like fireworks revealing different levels of intensity.

For my second composition, “Krug 2011”, I focused on two strong and opposing elements: the piano and the extreme beat of the electronic drum and bass. First, I tried to translate, through the piano, the delicate and refined flavours you find in the champagne, including cooked fruits, marmalade, patisseries fresh out of the oven. Then, I tried to express with electronic drum and bass its freshness, salinity, elegant bitterness and deliciously chiselled flavours. Initially, they are separated, but then they come together, finding perfect balance. As for the finale, I tried to express the concept of “Spirited Roundness” with this vibrant and fresh conclusion.

How did Les Créations de 2011 inspire your compositions?

For Krug 2011, I tried to explore with my music not only the impressions and the sensations that the glass of 2011 gave to me, but also the concept of duality, the paradoxical climate and the reversed seasons – through effects on the piano layers – that impacted the harvest of 2011.
For Krug Grande Cuvée 167ème Édition, I wanted to translate into music the impressions that the different colours of the champagne gave to me. At the same time, I wanted to describe the beautiful process that Julie undertook in creating Krug Grande Cuvée 167^ème Édition, starting with her selection of flavours from 191 different plots’ wines from 13 different years.

How do you approach pairing music and champagne?

It is certainly a combination that may seem unusual, but the truth is that music versatility enters every aspect of our lives. Each sip of champagne can be evocative of a different memory, sensation or feeling. Combining it with music amplifies the experience, giving depth to the emotions aroused.

What parallels do you see between composing music and crafting champagne?

A parallel between strong contrasts can exist in music for sure, which is precisely what I highlighted in my latest album, “Duality”. I applied the same process of translation, trying to be as refined as possible, without being didactic, in order to bring my vision of “Duality” associated with Krug 2011 and the full orchestra of Krug Grande Cuvée 167^ème Édition.

Krug grande cuvée

Composed by Grand soleil

Selected by Grand soleil

Krug Grande Cuvée

Composed by Grand Soleil

5:15

MUSIC PAIRINGS

Floating Fireworks (Krug Grande Cuvée 167^ème Édition)

Composed by Dardust

Reversed Seasons (Krug 2011)

Composed by Dardust

LEARN MORE ABOUT KRUG X MUSIC

Italian Pianist, Producer & Composer

A talk with Dardust

Krug grande cuvée

MUSIC PAIRINGS

Floating Fireworks (Krug Grande Cuvée 167^ème Édition)

Reversed Seasons (Krug 2011)

ALL KRUG LOVERS

Krug Grande Cuvée

Krug Grande Cuvée

Dardust

Italian Pianist, Producer & Composer

A talk with Dardust

Krug grande cuvée

MUSIC PAIRINGS

Floating Fireworks (Krug Grande Cuvée 167ème Édition)

Reversed Seasons (Krug 2011)

ALL KRUG LOVERS

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Krug Grande Cuvée

Krug Grande Cuvée

Floating Fireworks (Krug Grande Cuvée 167^ème Édition)