'Wry, understated and slightly bonkers’ (Guardian)
‘An atavistic soul and a composer of amiable eccentricity’ (Daily Telegraph)
Colin Riley ‘doffs his cap to the contemporary classical genre but also manages to stand alone in that genre as a unique indie voice’ (BBC Radio). His music draws on a range of elements including new technologies, improvisation, song-writing and large-scale classical form. His recent albums include Shenanigans (NMC) In Place (Squeaky Kate) and Along The Line (Squeaky Kate). Other works include Warp and Weft a concerto for 2 cellos (Gabriella Swallow / Guy Johnston), Rock Paper Scissors (Ensemble Bash)) and Earth Voices (Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Sweden). Hearing Places, his large-scale multi-media piece was recently premiered by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales to excellent reviews. ‘Witty, inventive music of ear-tickling inventiveness’ (Daily Telegraph).
Colin has just released two albums. His chorale album ‘Along The Line’ is sung by the Pegasus chamber choir and features soloists Gabriella Swallow (cello) and Gloria Rappo (harp). His second album ‘The Year Round’ is a collection of songs, one for each month created for Melanie Pappenheim. He has just competed a new piece for string quartet based on the song of the blackbird and incorporating AI and electronic manipulation. He is also currently recording an album on chamber music ‘Ones Twos and Threes’ supported by the PRS for Music’s Composers Fund, the Hinrichsen Foundation and the Vaughan Williams Foundation
Colin is Reader in Composition at Brunel University, runs his own label Squeaky Kate and writes a regular blog about composing called Riley Notes.
He is also on Music Patron and a member of the Place Collective.
Composers Fund
