Hello! Thank you for visiting this website!

Composing music is a bit like juggling whilst riding a unicycle: what a wonderful feeling to keep all the balls in the air and not fall off! But this is only possible after a few preliminaries have been taken care of. First one has to invent the wheel (not to mention the ball, and the rest of the unicycle) and there are so many concepts that must be understood and internalized, not least how gravity works and how it may be used. Much of the attraction with writing music is in going back to first principles: in theory anything can happen and the only limitation is the imagination of the composer.

Latest News:

- I have composed a new cello sonata, Tachophobia for cellist Olly Coates. This work is inspired by Tarantino’s recent film Deathproof and Bach. Watch this space for information on performances.
- My new piano piece, Masquing the Medusa was performed by Richard Casey on 25th Jan 08 at the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, Manchester. This work was composed as a tribute to John Casken. I am currently working on expanding it into a bigger set of piano pieces.
- Twisted Variations received a second performance by Ensemble Actem on 14th March 08 at the Amphithéâtre de l'Opéra de Lyon as part of the Biennale Musiques en Scène Festival in Lyon, France
- Interlocking Melodies was performed by the Quatuor Danel on 15th Feb 08 at the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, Manchester.
- Interlocking Melodies was workshopped by the Arditti String Quartet with Brian Ferneyhough on 14th Feb 08, having been selected in Kingston University’s international call for scores.

I added a number of new recordings back relatively recently, and now it is possible to view scores. Also look out for new section on my piano playing. I’m always eager to hear from you. If you have a reaction to any of the music here, or any thoughts, ideas or questions please let me know. Enjoy!

Richard Whalley, Oct 2008

Website by Dan Goren