Memory Leaves - New Music for Piano

Join us for the world premiere of Colin Riley's "Memory Leaves," a collection of 16 intimate piano pieces performed by students from the Royal Northern College of Music under the guidance of Dr. Adam Swayne.

Like a musical photo album, these pieces range from minute-long haikus to more expansive movements, each capturing different moods and moments - tender, dreamy, nostalgic, and sometimes dark and sombre. The work draws on influences from minimalism and jazz. Don't miss this unique contemporary classical experience in the intimate setting of Forsyth's historic music shop.

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1. Passing
2. Riff Only
3. Luminous Night
4. Homage

Set 2

1. Rigmarole
2. Sleep Song
3. Through Geranium Windows
4. Drift

Set 3

1. Downstream
2. You And I
3. A-Shiver and A-Shake
4. Still Here

Set 4

1. Afterglow
2. Processions
3. Line of Least Resistance
4. Departing Words

'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) and In Place (Squeaky Kate). Other works include Warp and Weft a concerto for 2 cellos (Gabriella Swallow / Guy Johnston), Rock Paper Scissors (Ensemble Bash), Stream-Shine (Philippa Mo) 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 is developing a multi-media project Ludic Inventions for piano and live visuals, a new string quartet for the RIOT Ensemble harnessing AI and the song of the blackbird, as well as a new album for Melanie Pappenheim. He has also just finished the music for COMA2020, a film by Michael Rosen, a piece for tabla player Kuljit Bhamra, and music for an installation at the Cutty Sark, London in collaboration with Nic Pendlebury.

He is Reader in Composition at Brunel University, runs his own label Squeaky Kate and writes a regular blog about composing called Riley Notes. Colin is also on Music Patron and a member of the Place Collective.

are talented students from the Royal Northern College of Music, studying under the guidance of Dr. Adam Swayne. Coming from diverse backgrounds - Australia, Korea, Taiwan, China, Bulgaria, and the UK - and ranging from first-year undergraduate to PhD level, these promising musicians bring fresh perspectives to Riley's contemporary work.

studied at the University of Manchester and the Royal Northern College of Music before completing his doctorate as a Fulbright Scholar at Northwestern University in the USA. His principal teachers were Ursula Oppens, John Gough and John Casken. He now combines performing and composing with his role as Deputy Head of Keyboard Studies at the RNCM. He has performed in festivals throughout the UK and abroad, including on BBC Radio and Television and at the BBC Proms. His "blistering" first solo CD was selected as an Instrumental Monthly Choice by BBC Music Magazine, and it also received two nominations at the 2019 Opus Klassik awards in Germany. His "powerful" second CD, a commemoration of 20 years since 9/11, was launched at the Wigmore Hall and played on BBC Radio 3. The Times described him as "a pianist of formidable technique and high intelligence" and the Evening Standard as "an ideal blend of panache and subtlety".

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Forsyth Brothers Limited, 126 Deansgate, Manchester, United Kingdom