I have started writing a set of 25 small pieces for the Nephele Ensemble. These will be for every combination within the group, comprising solos, duos, trios, quartets and quintets. Taking the title from Grieg's wonderful set of piano pieces, each work will take a line from a favourite pop song as both its title and inspiration, along with some fragment of material.

‘Colin Riley has for some years been a composer who seems to be able to create moments of magic.’
Classical Music Magazine, Dec 2003
‘Some of the most beautiful music you will hear this year … lithe and buoyant …. has the hairs rising on the back of your neck.’
Birmingham Post, 2003
‘Colin Riley is a restless, questing composer operating in the margins where classical form clashes with improvisation, pop and electronica.‘
Jazzwise, May 2006
‘Colin Riley has a restless spirit. Though routinely identified as a classical composer, his activities in the past few years have resisted categorisation.’
The Guardian, November 2008
‘An ambient sound that can and does groove like hell … at all times Skin and Wire operates on a high level of musical interest.’
Gabblegate Music Review, Oct 2009
Colin takes the sound-world, gestures and techniques from classical, rock and jazz, and makes no apologies for inhabiting the cracks between all three.’
991 sleevenotes, Sept 2009
‘ … witty and vigorous … energetic and at times downright cheeky … as accessible as it is intellectual, as felt as it is thought’
Jazzwise, Oct 2009
Colin Riley has a restless spirit … poised and engaging … Nygård's voice meshes beautifully with Riley's spare orchestrations.
The Guardian, November 2008
Something extraordinarily strange and beautiful.
Radio 1, January 2009