Christopher O'Riley At The Break

Christopher O'Riley (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Christopher O'Riley
• Audio CD (October 1, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mcg / Public Radio
• ASIN: B00005RG4Y
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,279 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #13 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Baroque Dance Suites > Gigue

Track Listings

1. Guastavino: Cantilena, No. 4

2. Rachmaninoff: Etude-Tableau in D Major, Op. 39, No. 9

3. Rameau: Le Rappel des Oiseaux

4. Rachmaninoff: Daisies, Op. 38, No. 3

5. Delibes-O’Riley: "Viens, Mallika!" from Lakme

6. Rachmaninoff: Etude-Tableau in f#-minor, Op. 39, No. 3

7. Chopin: Prelude in F# Major, Op. 28, No. 13

8. Debussy: La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin

9. Rameau: La Villageoise

10. Davies: Farewell to Stromness

11. Severac Ou L'on Entend Une Vielle Boite A Musique

12. Rachmaninoff: Prelude in G Major, Op. 32, No. 5

13. Milhaud: Corcovado

14. Rachmaninoff: Prelude in c minor, Op. 23, No. 7

15. Rachmaninoff: Lilacs Op. 21, No. 5

16. Rachmaninoff: Prelude in g# minor, Op. 32, No. 12

17. Rachmaninoff: Prelude in D Major, Op. 23, No. 4

18. Rameau: Musette En Rondeau

19. Mozart: Gigue in G Major, K. 574

20. Rameau: Rigaudons 1 & 2

See all 29 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

"Christopher O’Riley At the Break" is the new compact disc by the renowned concert pianist and host of "From the Top," the hit public radio showcase for America’s best pre-collegiate classical musicians.

This collection of 29 works for solo piano is a compilation of pieces O’Riley played on "From the Top," which is heard on more than 200 radio stations nationwide. These pieces were performed at the mid-point of the broadcasts, a required break of approximately 2 minutes during which many stations insert locally generated announcements.

According to Chris O’Riley, "It depends on one’s local station, and its own use of ‘the breaks.’ This collection serves as a fondly renewed acquaintance with some favorites of mine as well as some pieces a bit further off the beaten path. For other listeners, this is a great group of exquisite miniatures – a premiere entree into many new worlds."

From the Top is a creation of Concert Productions, Inc. in association with WGBH Radio Boston and New England Conservatory, its home and educational partner. Public Radio International distributes the program. From the Top receives support from the U.S. Department of Education, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, as well as individuals, foundations and corporations.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Michael Hawley, January 25, 2002

By 

Michael Hawley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher O'Riley At The Break (Audio CD)

This truly is a collection of gems, both in the selection and in the playing. Christopher O'Riley has wonderful eclectic taste, a beautifully lyric style, and a knack for finding out of the way and not-yet-known treasures (and putting new luster on the regular old treasures!). The pianism is exquisite: beautiful touches in the Rameau, and especially in the delicate Rachmaninoff pieces. Several of the pieces, like the Guastavino (which are fabulous) and Davies' "Farewell to Stromness" (wonderfully evocative of those tough, remote Scottish isles), and his own arrangement of that beautiful Delibes -- these were very happy discoveries for me.

All of these little pieces (though some are not so little!) are full of love and life. The thoughtful program notes were appreciated and enjoyed as well. The sound is great.

It's a wonderful CD. Buy it. And listen to the radio show, too: FROM THE TOP. Best thing to happen to music since Bernstein's Young People's concerts.

MJH

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Keyboard, March 8, 2002

By 

Jena Ball "Jena Ball" (North Carolina, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Christopher O'Riley At The Break (Audio CD)

Fans of NPR's popular show "From the Top," a showcase for young classical musicians, will recognize Chris O'Riley as the show's fun loving host. Thanks in no small part to O'Riley's easygoing way with kids and his fine accompaniments, the show not only presents good music, but manages to be playful and funny as well. This collection of 29 piano pieces are taken from those O'Riley plays during the mid-program break on the show, and demonstrate the depth and range of his talent. Included with the CD information are short notes by O'Riley in which he describes his connection to each piece and what he is trying to accomplish when he plays it. Particular favorites of mine include Guastavino's Cantilena, No. 4, Rachmanioff's Lilacs, Op. 21, No. 5 and Rameau's Tambourin. However, fans of Chopin, Debussy, Prokfiev and Mozart will also find something to satisfy. This is a CD that I will be returning to again and again

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Top, and from the heart., January 26, 2002

By 

Michael Hawley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher O'Riley At The Break (Audio CD)

Gorgeous music beautifully played. This is a wonderfully eclectic set of pieces, some familiar, many rare, all of them played with warmth and personality. I love Christopher's eclectic tastes. The Guastavino pieces were new to me, and they're gems. The Rameau is exquisitely played. The Rachmaninoff is familiar, but it's awfully nice to hear it played with a fresh personal feeling. Pieces like the Milhaud, or Poulenc's "Babar and Celeste", or O'Riley's own transcription of the Delibes, or Maxwell-Davies' "Stromness" -- all of them are wonderfully evocative. The program notes are every bit as thoughtful and engaging as you'd expect given such a marvellous selection and such stylish playing.

There are some real treasures here. And you might also enjoy "From the Top," the public radio show O'Riley hosts. Best thing to happen to music since Bernstein's Young Person's concerts.

MJH