photo: Clay Wegrzynowicz

Kirk O’Riordan’s music has been referred to as “unapologetically beautiful” and is often praised for its uniquely “visual” qualities that depict a wide range of striking moods. Gramophone Magazine praised O’Riordan as “a composer for whom imagery is a defining inspiration. …[He] is a deeply sensitive composer who savours going gently into the night.” O’Riordan (b. 1968) is an active composer, conductor, saxophonist, and teacher. In 2009, O’Riordan joined the faculty of Lafayette College where he serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands, teaching courses in music theory and composition. In addition, he conducts the Lafayette College Concert Band and Contemporary Music Ensemble. O’Riordan has studied composition with Rodney Rogers, Randall Shinn, James De Mars, Glenn Hackbarth, Burton Beerman, Marilyn Shrude, and Donald M. Wilson. He has studied saxophone with Frederick L. Hemke, John Sampen, and Eugene Rousseau. In his free time, O’Riordan is an avid fan of obstacle course racing.

News

Kirk O'Riordan conducting
March 9, 2020

The Inside Story: Kirk O’Riordan and AUTUMN WINDS

Albums

Autumn Winds

Release Date: February 14, 2020
Catalog Number: RR8029
21st Century
Chamber
Solo Instrumental
Piano
Viola
Voice
New from Ravello Records comes AUTUMN WINDS, a collection of chamber music composed by Kirk O’Riordan. The music, which features pianist and PARMA recording artist Holly Roadfeldt along with soprano Ann Moss and Peter Dutilly playing viola, is as challenging as it is alluring; O’Riordan takes listeners to the outskirts of tonality in order to elucidate questions of beauty, existence, and mortality.

The Preludes Project

Release Date: November 18, 2016
Catalog Number: RR7947
21st Century
Romantic
Solo Instrumental
Piano
THE PRELUDES PROJECT is Holly Roadfeldt’s debut album on RAVELLO records, and features a complete recording of Chopin’s Op. 28 preludes for piano and a new set of twenty-six piano preludes written by American composer Kirk O’Riordan. In her performance of these works, Roadfeldt takes claim to one of the most iconic pieces in the solo piano repertoire, and also annoints O’Riordan’s new work as an impressive achievement among Classical music’s greatest sets of piano preludes.

Strange Flowers

Release Date: November 19, 2013
Catalog Number: RR7883
21st Century
Chamber
Clarinet
Flute
Piano
Joyous and energetic, sad and lyrical, images of light and cascading colors-these varied striking moods can all be used to describe composer Kirk O'Riordan's six chamber works on his premiere Ravello Records release, STRANGE FLOWERS. The six pieces on the album tell a story together, captivating the audience with its accessible but nuanced sound.