Paralyzed concert pianist makes triumphant return to the stage thanks to new technology

Riccardo Baldini played three performances with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the Winspear last month with help from a tool he co-developed, Resonate.

A concert pianist who became paralyzed and lost the ability to play the piano for many years was thrilled to make his return to the stage with the help of a technology he developed.

Riccardo Baldini is a pianist who came to Edmonton from Italy in 2017.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Six years ago, he woke up paralyzed from the chest down due to a spinal cavernoma burst.

In order to play the piano, you need to use the foot pedals to change the sound being produced.

“As you get to a more advanced and professional level, it’s your entire body that’s (being used) …it’s like a self awareness of where your body is to create certain sounds, create certain effects,” Baldini said.

He didn’t give up hope and dreamed of being able to play the piano again, the instrument he devoted himself to for decades.

Working with engineers, he co-developed Resonate, a tool that lets him control the foot pedals using his mouth. Recently the team has been communicating with the Glenrose Hospital Foundation’s research and innovation department about collaborating on the project.

“It’s a huge win for music, and it’s a huge win for accessibility music and equality of opportunity,” Baldini said. “(Now), people with disabilities have the potential for performing on stage and on a professional level, which is something that has never been done before.

“The few images that we captured, the videos, are going to be the start of something that maybe could inspire some kids with disabilities to pursue musical careers.”

• Paralyzed pianist designs technology to ‘walk again with music’

Resonate was actually named after the right of the three piano pedals, known as the sustain, damper or resonance pedal, which is required to play the majority of classical music, according to Baldini. It keeps the notes playing after a musician’s fingers are taken off the keys.

The stage beckons

Last December, Baldini went to the Winspear to see if a performance like this would be possible, if he could wheel onto the stage and if Resonate would work with the piano.

A few months later, he was asked if he would be interested in playing in some shows with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO).

The three concert performances for Anime in Concert over two days in June were the largest crowds Baldini had played in front of since Resonate was developed.

“It’s been a dream come true for me to be able to perform with a full symphony orchestra on stage after my injury in my wheelchair,” said Baldini. “I had an incredible feeling, It went really well.

“The audience responded not as at a classical concert where the audience is more composed, which made the energy coming from the audience amazing.”

When he wheeled out onto the stage, he started playing, not saying anything until after the first song, once the audience had a chance to question how he could play while in a wheelchair.

“The focus was music, not disability,” Riccardo said.

“The stigma about disability should disappear from the concept. I’m there performing like anyone else.”

Baldini performed One Summer’s Day from Spirited Away and Kanashikute Yarikirenai from In This Corner of the World.

“Growing up, I watched a lot of anime and I love it. I think there’s so much depth into these Japanese productions that I always enjoyed,” Baldini said. “I was very much pleased to play the music from these movies.”

He said the other performers and staff at the Winspear were very accommodating and encouraging, “like a big family.”

Music is what matters

Resonate in its current form has been ready since 2024, as the first prototype was “too loud” according to Baldini and having it be unobtrusive was important to him.

“It’s not about you, it’s about the music and conveying some emotions, and I think we achieved that throughout the concert, and hopefully also shared a good message with my performance,” he said.

He hopes to be able to perform with ESO again and would like the opportunity to play in other venues to showcase what he can do now. Carnegie Hall is on his bucket list, and he also said he would like to be able to perform with the Vancouver and Toronto symphonies.

One of the pieces he hopes to be able to perform in front of an audience again is Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 31 Op. 110, a technically challenging 20-minute piece.

“It’s a bit of a journey of music that goes through a deep dive into depression … it’s almost a lament, like crying,” Baldini said. “Then from there, when you hit rock bottom, you are coming back out of that with a huge, major conclusion, which is a triumph of the Ode to Joy.

“I really resonate with (the piece) because of my life experience.”

Resonating around the world

Baldini has received inquiries about Resonate from all over the world from people in a similar situation like him and people with disabilities interested in learning the piano.

They did presales for the device and are moving into the manufacturing phase for the first production run.

“The stories that come with each individual are so unique and it really warms my heart every time, because I understand … when I first got injured and looked out there, and there was nothing that would have helped me to go back and play the piano, and nobody was doing it, it really crushed me,” Baldini said.

Resonate was designed for pianos, but Baldini said people have asked about potential uses in other instruments in the future, like drums, and for things outside of music like sewing machines and pottery wheels.

His advice for people who find themselves suddenly unable to do what they love because of injury or illness is to “keep moving forward in uncertainty.”

“You will go through a grieving period and some pain and some mental work that needs to be done, but at the same time, you don’t want to waste your time and waste your life,” Baldini said.

“There is so much more that can come and you can do despite whatever situation and whatever cards you are dealt by life. Just be creative and don’t give up.”