Terry Riley @90
American composer Terry Riley celebrates his 90th birthday this summer. The celebrations will not take place in his native country the United States, but in his new homeland Japan, where he has lived since the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the 1960s, Riley has been a true musical adventurer who sees the whole world as his home. Riley earned worldwide fame for his pioneering minimalist works including In C from 1964. But Riley is also an adept improviser who loves to perform live.
In this episode of Theme in honour of Riley’s 90th birthday we will listen to many less well-known works and historical live recordings. From parts of his soundtrack for the movie Lifespan (1974) to live solo performances in Moscow and Cologne. We will also hear Riley in a thrilling live duet with the equally legendary jazz trumpeter Don Cherry.
Playlist
Terry Riley:
- ‘Mice: Music-Inside-Curved-Entrances’ (1974), for synthesizers, on Terry Riley: Les Yeux Fermés & Lifespan. Terry Riley (synthesizers) Elision Fields 101 CD
- ‘In the summer’, for synthesizers (1974), on Terry Riley: Les Yeux Fermés & Lifespan. Terry Riley (synthesizers and voice) Elision Fields 101 CD
- ‘Ascension Final Chord Rising’ (2002), for electronics, on Terry Riley – Atlantis Nath. Luc Martinez (composition, electronics). Sri Moonshine Music. SMM001 CD
- ‘Remember This’ (2002), for voice, synthesizers and string quartet on Terry Riley – Atlantis Nath. Terry Riley (voice, synthesizers) + Nice Opera String Quartet conducted by Frederic Lepée. Sri Moonshine Music. SMM001 CD
- ‘Only A Day’ (2002), for voice, synthesizers, percussion and guitar, on Terry Riley – Atlantis Nath. Terry Riley (voice, synthesizers) + Frederic Lepée (guitar) and Luc Martinez (percussion, field recordings). Sri Moonshine Music. SMM001 CD
- ‘Arica + Havana Man’ (2000), for piano, on Terry Riley- Moscow Conservatory Solo Piano Concert (18 April 2000). Terry Riley (piano). Long Arms Records CDLA 01032 CD
- ‘The Harp of New Albion’ (1984), for cleanly tuned piano and synthesizers, on Terry Riley Krishna Bhatt Duo. Terry Riley (piano and synthesizers). B.Free records 6213-14 CD
- ‘The Descending Moonshine Dervishes’ (1975), for synthesizers, trumpet and doussn’gouni. Terry Riley (synths) + Don Cherry (trumpet and doussn’gouni) B.Free records 6212 CD
