O’Riley, Christopher

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O’Riley, Christopher

O’Riley, Christopher, talented American pianist; b. Chicago, April 17, 1956. He began piano lessons with Lilli Simon when he was only four; later studied with Russell Sherman at the New England Cons, of Music in Boston. After winning second prize in the Montreal Competition (1980), fifth prize in both the Van Cliburn and Leeds competitions (1981), and sixth prize in the Busoni Competition (1981), he made his formal recital debut in N.Y. in 1981; that same year he made his European debut in a recital in Amsterdam. He subsequently appeared as soloist with leading orchs. of the U.S. and Europe, gave recitals, and played in chamber music concerts. His programs often include rarely heard works both in the standard and the contemporary piano literature.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire