Riffing on Radiohead

"True Love Waits," pianist Christopher O'Riley's new Sony Classical CD of Radiohead transcriptions has been receiving considerable buzz of late, both from fans of the British art rock band and from classical music lovers. To some, it's an affectionate tribute to one of modern rock's most texturally complex bands, demonstrating how well their music translates on many different levels. To others, O'Riley's Steinway grand falls short in capturing the world-weary, edgy bite of Radiohead's multilayered music.

In a review of O'Riley's Radiohead recital last November at Miller Theater, Jon Pareles of the New York Times noted that Mr. Riley "turned the songs into showpieces akin to his usual repertory of Chopin, Debussy and Ravel" but added, "far too often he spun lacy filigrees that only obscured Radiohead's corrosive beauty."

Is it a bold new classical remake or a new-age crossover endeavor? In advance of O'Riley's upcoming performances at Joe's Pub (July 10 at 7:30 and 9:30pm), WNYC.org presents a sampling of opinions and features from both sides of the equation.

Pianist Christopher O'Riley Photo: J. Henry Fair

WNYC's Soundcheck
On a recent edition of Soundcheck, author and NPR critic Tim Riley joined guest host Chris Bannon. He pointed out that O'Riley may be a prize-winner in prestigious contests like Van Cliburn and Busoni competitions, but he is also firmly in touch with the world beyond the practice room.

"He's trying to prove that classical musicians don't have to stick to one style of music, either in what they play or what they listen to. "The fact that a wonderful classical pianist like Christopher O'Riley listens to Radiohead is a wonderful message to be sending out."

Riley continued, "The biggest complement that I can give [O'Riley] is that he comes very close to the band's textures and moods. You can tell that he does very close listening, close in the sense that he sounds obsessed with all of its ironies and delicacies. You have to be obsessed to want to do transcriptions like this."
Listen

A Selection of Reviews:

Chicago Sun Times June 8, 2003

Rolling Stone June 9, 2003

Austin Chronicle June 13, 2003

This Time, a Classical Pianist Takes a Crack at Radiohead New York Times, Jon Pareles December 17, 2002

Recent Feature Articles:

Radiohead rhapsodies: For this piano man, rock, classical collide Boston Herald, June 6, 2003

Radiohead, Classic Version Hartford Courant June 10, 2003

Riffs on rock Los Angeles Times, June 7, 2003

What if Radiohead Were Pianohead? New York Times June 7, 2003 (requires article purchase from NYTimes.com)

Other Resources:

Joe's Pub Christopher O'Riley performs Radiohead at Joe's Pub: July 10 at 7:30 and 9:30 pm

Christopher O'Riley Official Web site

From the Top (Christopher O'Riley's weekly NPR program)

True Love Waits is Available at Amazon.com

Track Listing: True Love Waits

1. Everything In It's Right Place
2. Knives Out
3. Black Star
4. Karma Police
5. Let Down
6. Airbag
7. Subterranean Homesick Alien
8. Thinking About You
9. Exit Music (For A Film)
10. You
11. Bulletproof
12. Fake Plastic Trees
13. I Can't
14. True Love Waits
15. Motion Picture Soundtrack