Malcolm Riley

Malcolm Riley is a composer and author most associated for his work as a scholar of the work of Percy Whitlock.

Life and works

Malcolm Riley was born on 9 June 1960 in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England. Educated at Harrogate High School, he gained an organ scholarship to Christ's College, Cambridge, where he read music and studied the Organ with Arthur Wills and Charles Spinks.[1]

Malcolm Riley has also composed and arranged music. His composition, De Temporibus Canticum ('Of the Seasons We Sing'), was commissioned by Cranbrook Choral Society to celebrate the Millennium and gave its first performance in December 2000. His other works include an orchestral arrangement of Brahms E minor Cello Sonata. This work was given its first performance in 2000 by Tim Hugh, conducted by Brian Wright with the Maidstone Symphony Orchestra. Riley was also commissioned to write a celebratory piece to open Maidstone Symphony Orchestra's 100th season, titled "Fairmeadow – An Overture for Maidstone", first performed on 16 October 2010. Recent performing engagements have included organ recitals at York Minster, Leeds Parish Church, Derby Cathedral[2] and St Bride's Fleet Street, The Temple Church, London, Bridlington Priory[3] and Birmingham Town Hall..

In December 2011 he left Cranbrook School where he had been Director of Music since 1985. In April 2012 he stepped down as conductor of Cranbrook and District Choral Society, after 25 years. He has conducted the Society in many of the main choral works, including Bach's St John and St Matthew Passions, the Mass in B minor, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, Verdi's Requiem, Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius and The Music Makers, Howell's Hymnus Paradisi and Finzi' Intimations of Immortality .

Malcolm is also the author of two books concerning organist and composer Percy Whitlock. His first, "Percy Whitlock - A Biographical Study" was published to critical acclaim, as was the "Percy Whitlock Companion", a collection of letters and diary extracts of the early 20th-century composer. He also regularly contributes to The Gramophone music magazine.

Malcolm Left Invicta Grammar School in Maidstone in July 2017, after 5 years as the leader of the Music Department.

References
  1. Sycamore Studio Organ Recordings and Sheet Music Archived 2008-11-18 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Organ recital review by Mike Wheeler
  3. Recital programme Archived 2008-07-04 at the Wayback Machine
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