• Reviews of Compositions
Patrick Riley, though an undiscovered compositional voice, has been a very active educator and performer of music throughout his career. Riley has composed many pieces, with a vast array of instrumentation and style. Riley has composed two complete symphonies and multiple other works for either full orchestra or string orchestra. He has also written choral works and many instrumental chamber works for a variety of ensemble sizes. As a composer, Riley often attempts to incorporate elements of the styles he performed frequently, which include jazz, Latin, and rock. He is also interested in using computers, midi equipment, and synthesizers to create and record music. Patrick Riley attempts to compose using a polystylistic approach, and his music certainly confirms the use of many different influences. Much of Riley’s music can show certain elements of expressionism, primitivism, minimalism, the use of electronics, and more. I would not try to claim that Patrick Riley is a composer of any given style, but rather that many different styles are present and equally used in his compositions. Divergence for Orchestra and Pre-recorded Audio is one of Riley’s longest and largest scale pieces. It is a four-movement piece written for a full orchestra, with at least 3 percussionists as well as an electronic audio recording. Also within this piece are examples of primitivism. Rhythmically, there are a lot of patterns that are syncopated, accented, and go through different meter signatures, which are all common of primitivism. Patrick Riley’s works are truly polystylistic and cannot be claimed by any single twentieth-century influence. Riley is constantly taking influence from sources such as contemporary music, jazz, and even from pre-classical period music. Though undiscovered, Riley’s compositions are vastly worthy of musical and intellectual analysis for his broad usage of style blending and sensitive musicality. Review written by Jeff Kirkpatrick
• More reviews of compositions.
Riley presents a musical tribute inspired by America’s past. Album title: AMERICANA author: The American Music Center Patrick Riley delves into the American consciousness, conjuring musical tableaus that pay tribute to monuments, symbols, and events that have shaped our country’s history and ideals. Rendered via synthesized instruments, this collection of orchestral pieces exhibits impressionistic melodic writing, while alluding to some interesting orchestration, albeit stifled by the lackluster expressivity of MIDI. Nonetheless, Riley makes due and presents a musical tribute inspired by America’s past.
RN Mad talent..... author: www.Mp3.com/BUSHTACCA You've got some mad talent. Great music! I totally dig your sound and style! Keep it up! and much respect 2 U! - ..
Composition title: Rushmore author: TAXI Critique
The piece sounds suitably imposing--reminds me of some of Copland's later, sterner, laying-down the law, 12-tone influenced works. However, I think the piece has too much going on too much of the time. I think the opening build is intriguing, but it should actually reach a point where the material coalesces into a strong thematic statement. I think it's vital to keep the visceral, experiential aspect of the music in mind, not just the theoretical.
PATRICK RILEY
Email: priley7601@hotmail.com
OBJECTIVE: to continue working on interesting music projects.
QUALIFICATIONS:
*Professional latin/jazz keyboard entertainer and dinner music/cocktail pianist. Over 30 years of pro experience. Interests include *music production in my home studio using a computer, midi, synthesizers, & multi-track recording software. *composition of new material. *arranging & orchestrating. Member of ASCAP.
EDUCATION:
*Master of Music degree (concentration in music composition) – Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.
*Bachelor of Science degree (concentration in music education) – Indiana State Teachers College, Indiana, PA. (Indiana University of Pennsylvania).
EMPLOYMENT:
*Musician / Instrumentalist / Music Educator with over 30 years of teaching experience in the public schools of Maryland & Pennsylvania. – Past member of the American Federation of Musicians locals 161, 770 & 389. Music performance includes: U.S. army bandsman– club dates – steady location work at hotels, restaurants, and solo pianist for Carnival Cruise line cruising from Florida to the Bahamas.