Description:	CD on Burning Petals
	Format:	CD
	Genre(s):	Neoclassical
	Label:	Burning Petals
	Price:	£7.99
	Availability:	In stock. Dispatched in 1 working day.

4
...according to our Phil on 08 October 2009.

Here's a smashing neo classical CD by a fella called Richard Anthony Jay. It's called 'This Is What I Live For' and it's a fine example of beautiful chamber music. Lots of strings and pianos combine to make some really gorgeously moving arrangements. It's very emotive indeed and I'm reminded of folks like Yann Tiersen, Michael Nyman and Max Richter with the way the music builds and flows. It's all very maudlin and it's making me weep all over the huge pie I'm eating. Actually that's not strictly true (it's only a small pie....) but it's a highly emotive collection of pieces. If you're into neo classical gear then this is a must!! He's been making music for 20 years and here's his debut album so you know when someone spends that long on a record it's going to be worth it!

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Sound clips for This Is What I Live For by Richard Anthony Jay: on CD at Norman Records UK. CD, Burning Petals, BURCD101, £7.99.

What their label says...

If Mozart were alive today, he may have taken a journey similar to that of composer
Richard Anthony Jay. After a 20-year eclectic music career, 2009 sees the release
of his debut album entitled, This is What I Live For.
Beginning life in the music industry at the age of 16, Richard’s rich and varied
experiences have inspired an album that is both melancholy and moving.
“Without lyrics and a vocalist, the listener has to use imagination,
and feel what the music is about”, says Richard.
For this self-taught musician, ‘feeling’ the music is the driving principle guiding his life
and career.
As a debut album, This is What I Live For has attracted high profile special guests
including, Grammy-award winner Davy Spillane on Gone…but not Forgotten.
Spillane’s Uilleann pipes add a haunting and dramatic touch to the track, making it
stand out amongst the more classical, ambient pieces on the album.
Musicians from renowned Hallé orchestra, Britain's longest-established symphony
orchestra, also feature on almost all of the album tracks. Their superb musicianship
bring Richard’s intricate compositions to life, evoking emotions the listener has no
choice but to feel.
A veteran of the music industry, Richard has done an array of jobs until deciding to try
his hand at being The Artist. Beginning his career at age 16, working in studios as a
sound engineer, Richard’s life is one of following the opportunities. They lead him to:
writing and arranging pop songs for various artists; being signed by Universal Records
Japan; having publishing deals with BMG Riccordi, Warner/Chappell and Polygram;
creating a Film/TV music company; licensing music to Sony Pictures, Nintendo,
Paramount Pictures and Fox amongst many others.
Despite all of these experiences, he still felt something was missing. It was a love-hate
relationship with the music industry. During the 'hate' periods he turned his back on
the industry altogether. He didn’t own a stereo, fell into depressions, and lost interest
in anything music related. But slowly the muse would re-enter his life.
When finally deciding it was his turn to be the artist, Richard focused on composing
music whose sole purpose was personal creative expression. The result is what you
hear on This is What I Live For – a contemporary, ambient, classical sound. Surprising,
considering his extensive past in pop music, and with a mix of influences such as
Stevie Wonder, Dead Can Dance, and Michael Nyman.
Classical arrangements developed in a non-traditional way. One might say Richard
Anthony Jay is the modern classical composer. His path is perhaps one that Mozart
might have taken in order to create music in today’s world.