Christopher O'Riley : NPR

This Land Is Our Land: Young Immigrant Musicians Reinvent A Classic

Six young musicians, rooted in six different countries, come together to put a new spin on a Woody Guthrie classic. From the Top hide caption

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From the Top

Deceptive Cadence

This Land Is Our Land: Young Immigrant Musicians Reinvent A Classic

July 3, 2017 • Six classically-trained musicians, rooted in six different countries, come together to perform a new composition inspired by Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land."

Carlos Waters/NPR

Tiny Desk

Matt Haimovitz & Christopher O'Riley: Tiny Desk Concert

March 14, 2015 • The venturesome duo plays visionary Beethoven, heartbreaking Janáček and a piece by Philip Glass that unfolds like a lullaby.

Matt Haimovitz & Christopher O'Riley: Tiny Desk Concert

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From the Top

Young Soprano Sets Competition Record

June 23, 2010 • Nadine Sierra first performed on From the Top at age 15. Five years later, she became the youngest soprano ever to win the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Hear her story of persistence.

Christopher O'Riley: Reliving A Love For Ravel

Reid Mangan

From the Top

Christopher O'Riley: Reliving A Love For Ravel

November 6, 2009 • Ravel's piano suite Le Tombeau de Couperin harkens back to old music and old friends. Pianist Christopher O'Riley renews his love for the piece, which captivated him as a young conservatory student. Watch him perform the opening "Prelude."

From the Top

Classical Teens, Superstar Sparkle In Boston

September 10, 2008 • From Boston's New England Conservatory, an 18-year-old pianist plays Chopin, a teen string quartet performs Beethoven and renowned violinist Hilary Hahn collaborates with young musicians who are just about the age she was when her concert career took off.

Classical Teens, Superstar Sparkle In Boston

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New Music

Christopher O'Riley's Bad Plus Epiphany

September 17, 2008 • O'Riley enjoys his Bach and Beethoven, but he's also a serious fan of pop music and jazz: He's recorded piano arrangements of songs by Radiohead and Nick Drake. O'Riley's latest passion is the adventurous jazz trio The Bad Plus.

Favorite Sessions

Christopher O'Riley: Transcribing the Pop World

American Public Media

November 4, 2007 • The adventurous pianist is a throwback to classical musicians of the past who blurred the line between classical and popular music. O'Riley, inspired by his favorite pop artists such as Radiohead, transforms their songs into intricate piano solos.

Music Interviews

Classical Pianist Interprets Lyricism of Elliott Smith

June 13, 2006 • Christopher O'Riley, host of NPR's From the Top, considers Elliott Smith to be one America's greatest songwriters. Smith died in 2003 before ever achieving massive fame. O'Riley's latest release, Home to Oblivion, is a classical translation of Smith's work.

Classical Pianist Interprets Lyricism of Elliott Smith

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Music Interviews

Classical Detours: Christopher O'Riley

April 14, 2006 • "Classical Detours" explores music beyond the standard classics. Pianist Christopher O'Riley joins Fred Child to play familiar music from the Suite in E major by Jean-Philippe Rameau. Then he introduces his own transcriptions of music by Elliott Smith of alt-rock fame.

Classical Detours: Christopher O'Riley

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Music Interviews

Radiohead Translated for the Piano

July 18, 2003 • Classical pianist Christopher O'Riley is best known for his interpretations of music by such composers as Stravinksy and Ravel. But on his latest album, True Love Waits, he transforms the compositions of rock band Radiohead. NPR's Michele Norris talks with O'Riley.

Radiohead Translated for the Piano

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From the Top

Maya Shankar: A Violinist Lost And Found

November 18, 2009 • Years after suffering a debilitating hand injury, young violinist Maya Shankar recently made a joyful return to music. Here, she returns to From the Top, the classical kids program that celebrates its 10-year anniversary by checking back with some of its alumni.

Classical Resolutions: Christopher O'Riley And The Art Of Listening

Pianist Christopoher O'Riley thinks industry insiders should take notice of the changing world classical music inhabits. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Deceptive Cadence

Classical Resolutions: Christopher O'Riley And The Art Of Listening

January 25, 2011 • We should be putting our ears right to the rails of technology, societal attitudes, professional responsibilities and communal conscience. We in the classical industry are listening not wisely (nor widely) nor too well.

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From the Top

Evan Premo: A Marriage Made In Music

March 30, 2010 • In 2002, 17-year-old musician Evan Premo appeared on From the Top. Little did he know it then, but someone special out there in radio land was listening. Watch the video of how boy meets double bass, then meets girl.

'From The Top': 10 Years Of Classical Kids

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From the Top

'From The Top': 10 Years Of Classical Kids

September 5, 2009 • The radio showcase for young musicians hits its 10-year mark and celebrates by checking back with some of its most illustrious alums. They include William Harvey, who played on the pilot edition of From the Top and now heads his own organization, promoting cultural harmony through music.

'From The Top': 10 Years Of Classical Kids

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