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Christopher O'Riley

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Christopher O’Riley is an American classical pianist and radio show host, who is also known for his renditions of songs by the band Radiohead, Nick Drake and most recently Elliott Smith, using only a piano. O’Riley has produced many recordings of classical music and claims his renditions have introduced the music of Radiohead to a classical audience as well as introducing classical music to a wider audience, as he sometimes performs both his usual repertoire and Radiohead songs at the same concert.

Christopher O’Riley is also the host of the NPR Radio show ‘From the Top’ which features young classical musicians from all over the country. The show is to soon make its television debut on WTTW.

Tagged as:

piano, classical, covers, instrumental, radiohead
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psychokila wrote:
October 2008

anyone have his sheet music book? if so, how is it?

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Poshoalcubo wrote:
October 2008

Genio!

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MisterPenguin wrote:
October 2008

To the two comments below: there is something different about when it is a pianist covering a typical band set-up and their music and a band covering a band. What makes O'Riley amazing is his ability to do the first. He isn't using guitars, vocals, or electronic elements.

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jono-renton wrote:
October 2008

@violeta8l8: Well then you certainly don't appreciate music for what it is then, Dismissing beautiful music just because it wasn't written by them. Christopher O'Riley works magic on Radiohead's songs, transforming them into something new. I admire his piano skills just as i admire Radiohead's writing skills.

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violeta8l8 wrote:
September 2008

i dont like ppl who base their artistic careers making covers of -or copyin- someone else's work

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laura_reflected wrote:
September 2008

I don't think the Elliott Smith songs translate to piano quite as well as the Radiohead ones because so much of what makes Elliott amazing is his beautiful instrumentals and voice, but the piano versions are still great.

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thenothinginme wrote:
September 2008

True Love Waits x

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angelireland wrote:
August 2008

tears.... very moving

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ronannestor wrote:
June 2008

Some nice stuff, but when I read his liner notes to Elliot Smith's New Moon compilation (at least I think it's the same guy), he comes across a bit pompous & fairly dismissive anything done after he left Kill Rock Stars.

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Ranzess wrote:
April 2008

Неизвестный исполнитель means Unknown Artist.It russian. X) Lol.

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sarahthestrange wrote:
April 2008

Неизвестный исполнитель? When was he ever called that!?

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Carolaah wrote:
April 2008

I truly love the music this man can produce by touching the piano. Not that I've heard a lot of his songs.. But still I heard his music by playing the tagradio (tag: piano), lovely!

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phoneymindless wrote:
April 2008

Black Star cover is fantastic

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wiggylover wrote:
April 2008

love both the radiohead albums! Play them as background music all the time and get visiting peeps to play 'guess the radiohead song' Brilliant stuff

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brushfired wrote:
February 2008

His covers of Nick Drake are also wonderful.

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foster_UK wrote:
February 2008

JUst been put on to this guy; from what i've heardalready , this is great stuff.

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Gomo612 wrote:
January 2008

His Radiohead cover albums helped me through college. I absolutely love this stuff.

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fato profugus wrote:
December 2007

2>Mocca_Pynchon: sure, but mehldau does rearrange a lot, and moreover in a trio

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mediumrare wrote:
November 2007

Similar Artists: Ludwig van Beethoven Wow. I'd take that as quite the compliment, Chris...

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amnesicax wrote:
August 2007

Es bueno el tipo. Sublime, nada más que decir.

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