CHRISTOPHER O’RILEY

“HE CERTAINLY BROUGHT IMAGINATION AND TALENT TO THE ENDEAVOUR.”

Los Angeles Times

“O’RILEY PLAYED SO DELICATELY THAT HE SEEMINGLY LEFT NO FINGERPRINTS ON THE KEYS, YET HIS MELODIES SUNG OUT WITH SWEET CLARITY.”

The Washington Post

“SCRUPULOUSLY POLISHED IN PHRASING AND ARTICULATION, TONE AND TEXTURE.”

Pittsburgh-Live

“O’RILEY’S PLAYING IS LACED WITH AN OTHERWORDLY ELEGANCE THAT CAN’T BE DUPLICATED.”

Spendid.com

“"...HE CONVEYED THE THRASHING INTENSITY OF A ROCK BAND WITH PUNGENTLY SPIKY CHORDS AND THICK TEXTURES."”

The New York Times

03.11.10
Evening with Groucho A Remarkable, Zany Revue
'Evening with Groucho' a remarkable, zany revue

03.03.10
Turtle Island Quartet Celebrates Coltrane, Hendrix in Denver
Turtle Island Quartet wowed the audience with "A Love Supreme: The Music of John Coltrane."

03.12.10
[Flamenco Vivo]/Carlota Santana
Gallo Center for the Arts
Modesto, CA

03.12.10
Danu
Wilson Center for the Arts - Brookfield, WI

03.15.10
Turtle Island Quartet
A Love Supreme
Collegedale, TN

Listen

from the album- Out of My Hands

Heart Shaped Box (Cobain)

Mother (Amos)

All I Need (Radiohead)

Watch

Tours & Projects

Out of My Hands - Touring 09-10-11

Since the triumphant release in 2003 of True Love Waits, pianist Christopher O’Riley’s reimagining of works by Radiohead, Elliott Smith and Nick Drake have garnered critical accolades and international acclaim, including the only four-star review ever given by Rolling Stone to a Classical pianist.

His latest White Tie Classics/Mesa-BlueMoon release, Out Of My Hands, includes music of R.E.M., Portishead, Cocteau Twins, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, The Bad Plus, The Smiths, Tears for Fears as well as material from Radiohead and a newly-released song by Elliott Smith.

As host of the popular NPR music program, From the Top, Mr. O’Riley is well-known for his eloquent and compelling musings on music and popular culture. His latest performances stretch the piano beyond the classical repertoire and into the rich uncharted territory of contemporary and alt-rock. Announcing the program from the stage allows Mr. O’Riley to share discoveries and explore paths in and out of this wealth of material. The music flows seamlessly from one genre to another, from the familiar to the fresh. From Robert Pollard to Rickie Lee Jones to Maurice Ravel; A Perfect Circle to Piazzolla; Thomas Ades to John Adams to Toru Takemitsu to Nine Inch Nails.

Christopher O’Riley is recognized as one of the leading American pianists of his generation, touring extensively as a recitalist and chamber musician and appearing with every major orchestra. He has released numerous recordings on a variety of labels including SONY, Harmonia Mundi and now White Tie Records.

Christopher O'Riley plays "Heart Shaped Box" on Minnesota Public Radio