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wellsAurora, New York—The Wells College Arts and Lecture Series presents a performance by pianist and host of NPR's From the Top Christopher O’Riley. The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 24, in Phipps Auditorium of Macmillan Hall on the Wells College campus. Admission for the concert is free.

Christopher O’Riley has built a reputation as an extraordinary pianist by reimagining works by classical composers as well as songs by rock and alternative musicians including Nirvana, Radiohead, Pink Floyd and Elliott Smith. O’Riley has filled numerous full-length albums with these spirited, clever arrangements, earning the only four-star review ever given by Rolling Stone to a classical pianist. His 2009 album “Out of My Hands” includes works by Tori Amos, Portishead, the Smiths, and R.E.M. O’Riley will perform selections from his recent work during the concert at Wells College, announcing the songs from the stage and discussing each with the audience.

As host of the popular NPR music program From the Top, O’Riley is known for his insightful discussions of music and popular culture. On the program, he works and performs with up-and-coming young musicians, demonstrating the interesting and diverse personal lives and musical abilities of the artists. The music bridges genres, themes, and generations from Robert Pollard to to Toru Takemitsu to Nine Inch Nails.

O’Riley has toured extensively as a recitalist and chamber musician, appearing with the world-famous Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Orchestra; the philharmonic orchestras of Los Angeles, New York, Moscow and London; the Minnesota Orchestra; and the symphonies of Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Baltimore, Philadelphia and San Francisco. He has been honored with awards at the Leeds, Van Cliburn, Busoni and Montreal competitions; studied with Russell Sherman at the New England Conservatory of Music; and has released numerous recordings on a variety of labels including SONY, Harmonia Mundi and now White Tie Records.

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