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Riopy

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Riopy
Background information
Birth nameJean-Philippe Rio-Py
Born1983
France
GenresContemporary classical music, Film score
Occupation(s)Pianist, Musician, Composer, Producer
Instrument(s)Piano
Years active2007–present
LabelsWarner Music
Websitewww.riopymusic.com

Jean-Philippe Rio-Py (born 1983),[1] known professionally as Riopy (styled RIOPY), is a French-British pianist and composer. Self-taught since a very young age, he has performed internationally, and released several albums classified as crossover or contemporary classical music. His compositions have been featured in commercials, movie trailers, and feature films.

In January 2022, Riopy's album Tree of Light reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Classical Album chart[2] after a continuous 70 weeks in the top 10.[3]

Early life and career[edit]

Born and raised in France, Riopy is a self-taught pianist who grew up in a secular cult with his family.[4][5] Riopy began to teach himself[6] the piano at an early age when he discovered an abandoned instrument.[7] Without access to printed scores, he began to compose music in his head.[8] His unique, rhythmically driven approach to performing his own compositions soon brought him to the attention of the piano firm Steinway & Sons who chose him to be a Young Steinway Artist[1] when he was 17 years old.[9][10] A year later, he left his home and the cult, which did not allow music, and spent short periods in Paris and Los Angeles.[6]

Riopy arrived in London at 21 years old, where he worked at a small instruments shop for a few months.[11] There, he soon met Michael Freeman, who recognized his potential and offered him a course[12] at Oxford Brookes University.[13] In 2006, he was then discovered at Oxford where he began his training before embarking on his professional career in London.[14] In 2007, he gave one of his first concerts at Jacqueline Du Pré Building and the Holywell Music Room in Oxford.[15]

In 2010, he performed at the Royal Opera House and opened the first night re-launch for the renowned The Arts Club in Mayfair in 2011. The same year, he performed at a Gala dinner in London organized by Vanity Fair, where Gwyneth Paltrow and her husband at the time, Chris Martin, were also present.[16][17] The singer thanked him for his performance and three weeks later, offered him his first personal piano, a Steinway & Sons.[13] Later, in 2018, he recorded his first album Riopy on the same piano.[18]

Music career[edit]

Performances[edit]

Riopy has performed at prestigious venues worldwide, including the Royal Opera House (London, UK), Steinway Hall, inside St Pancras Clock (London, UK), Salle Pleyel (Paris, France), The Arts Club (London, UK), underground venue of Chateau Marmont (Los Angeles, USA), Théâtre des Champs-Elysées (Paris, France), and Villa Reale (Milan, Italy). He has also performed at City Hall Stockholm (Stockholm, Sweden), and in Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland.[19]

Riopy also performed several times in concert halls in China.[20]

In February 2023, Riopy embarked on his first UK tour. He performed in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Canterbury, and other cities.[21]

In June 2023, the pianist-composer embarked on a US tour, with concerts in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and Alexandria, Virginia.[22][23]

On 18 November 2023 he performed at the London Jazz Festival at Queen Elizabeth Hall,[24] followed by a tour of cities in France[25] including Paris[26] and Vichy[27][28] and a performance at the Cirque Royal in Brussels.[29]

Featured movies and trailers[edit]

More recently, he has worked on movie trailers for Mr Turner, Jimmy's Hall, The Sense of an Ending, A Royal Night Out, Long Walk Home. He also composed the trailer for Oscar-winning films such as The Danish Girl (film) and The Shape Of Water.[30]

His piano works have been included in documentaries broadcast on the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 as well. He notably composed the original soundtracks for On The Bridge and She Wants Soul.[31] He was invited by Richard Branson to take part to his documentary The Kodiak Queen released in 2018 for the preservation of the seabed and the British Virgin Islands.[32]

Solo albums[edit]

In 2017, Riopy signed to Warner Classics with which he has been working ever since.[33] One year later, he released his first Album, “RIOPY”. “I Love You” and “Drive” were among the most popular tracks of his album, including in China.[34]

Riopy's first album was followed in 2019 by a second one, The Tree of Light. Seen as a force for positive change in the world by its composer, he comments: "It is a call to humanity to fight – not the wars outside, but to fight the wars inside us. A wake up call. If we are all kind to each other, and kind and compassionate and nice to ourselves and each other, we will have a better chance to save ourselves and the planet."[35] The album was the fifth best-selling New Age Album of 2021 in the US[36] as well as the third best-selling classical album of 2022 in the US.[37] In June 2023, 'Ukiyo' receives the Gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) with more than 500,000 copies sold.[38]

During the pandemic, he wrote his third album. Bliss, a work of eleven tracks, was released in late 2021.

In April 2023, Riopy released his fourth album, Thrive, through Warner Classics.[39] For this album, Riopy took inspiration from famous classical music composers such as Satie, Pachelbel, Beethoven, Fauré, Debussy and Chopin, adapting their melodies into scores of his own.[40][41]

Collaborations[edit]

After listening to Riopy's work, the American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey contacted the composer-pianist's manager in order to use it for her new album to be released.[42][43] In March 2023, she released her album Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd containing ‘Grandfather please stand on the shoulders of my father while he’s deep-sea fishing’, using ‘Flo’ from RIOPY's Album 'Tree of Light'.[44][45] Subsequent to their collaboration, RIOPY supported Lana Del Rey's performance at BST Hyde Park in July 2023.[46][47]

In conjunction with the release in early 2023 of his album Thrive, Riopy became an official ambassador for Restore the Music UK, a charitable organization that helps fund music education in schools in lower-income areas. RTM and Riopy's tour promoter partnered to offer free concert tickets to students and teachers who benefit from the charity’s work.[48]

Composition for advertisements[edit]

Since his debut, Riopy has composed music for labels such as Air-Edel, EMI and Warner/Chappell Music,[49] while his works have been featured in advertising campaigns by Hulu, Bentley, Samsung, Mercedes, and Giorgio Armani amongst others.[50] In 2016, he composed the music for an award-winning IKEA ad.[51] The music supervisor behind the Swedish IKEA commercial stated: "'Every Other Week' has become a bit of a commercial classic, referred to as one of the best commercials made in recent years, which Riopy was a part of."[52] In 2018, he wrote the music for a Peugeot 508 ad broadcast in France, where he is depicted driving the car himself while writing the score on screen.[53][54] Following the campaign’s success, Warner Music released to the public the original track “Le Rêve d’une Note” in partnership with Peugeot.[55][56]

Meditation and wellness work[edit]

Over the years, Riopy developed a keen interest in meditation and ways to improve mental health. After going through deep anxiety and depression, he found a new passion for neuroscience, specifically how brainwaves work to improve one's wellbeing.[57][58] For example, he researched the positive effects music can have on mental health by observing the results of EKGs of his own brain waves as he listened to music.[59] He also, at fans' suggestions, tuned his piano to 432 Hertz (as opposed to the usual 440 Hertz), a frequency believed to help brain waves to relax.[60][61]

Riopy uses various compositional techniques in pursuit of his goal to create immersive meditation music that can improve mental health and wellbeing, including using binaural beats,[62] spatial audio and other techniques.

He partnered with Peloton to create a yoga program called "Slow Flow," released in 2021.[63] His music is featured on the Calm app and the Sleep app.[42] A number of his pieces are called "Meditations," such as "Meditation 22," "MED66," "Meditation 111."

In 2023 the Mental Health Foundation commissioned him to create a piece to help people manage anxiety, resulting in "Meditation 111" (named for the NHS' 111 helpline). Announcing that release, Riopy said, "As someone who has struggled with poor mental health for most of my life, music has been a great source of solace and calm. It is not an exaggeration to say that the piano saved my life."[64] His EP "Meditation 333," released in May 2024, consisted of three tracks of music and audio tools "designed for healing and peace."[65]

Charting and streaming success[edit]

Riopy's second album The Tree of Light ranked No. 8 on the year-end 2021 Classical Albums chart[66] and fifth on the New Age Albums chart.[67] In January 2022 the album peaked at No. 1 on the Classical Albums chart.[68] As of June 2023 it had remained on that chart for more than 135 weeks.[69]

As of January 2023, when the April 2023 release of his fourth album Thrive was announced, Riopy's first three albums together had netted more than half a billion streams.[citation needed]

Thrive debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard New Age Albums chart, No. 5 on the Classical Albums chart, and No. 11 on the Classical Crossover chart.[69]

In June 2023, his 2019 track “Ukiyo” was certified gold by the RIAA with more than 500,000 copies sold.[69]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums and EPs
Year Album Label
2013 Portraits in Film
2016 Breathe
2018 RIOPY Warner Classics
2019 Tree of Light Warner Classics
2020 Meditation 432 Warner Classics
2021 Bliss Warner Classics
2023 Thrive Warner Classics
2023 On a Starry Christmas Night (EP) Warner Classics
2024 Meditation 333 (EP) Warner Classics


Trailers featuring Riopy's music
Year Title Track(s)
2012 Long Walk Home
2013 Mr Turner "Help Us Grow"
2014 Jimmy's Hall "Brave Heart"
2016 The Danish Girl "Fairy Tale," "Feel the Air," "Embrasse-moi"
2016 A Royal Night Out "Let It Begin"
2016 The Sense of an Ending "Mur de Pierre," "Puissance d'Antan"
2017 Murder on the Orient Express "The Uprising"
2018 The Happy Prince "Becoming Stronger," "Trust in You"
2018 The Shape of Water "32 Sides"
2018 The Mercy "Trust in You"
2018 The Children Act "Epic"
2018 Stan & Ollie "Just Wait"
2018 Skam Series "I Love You"


Documentaries and feature films featuring Riopy's music
Year Title
2011 She Wants Soul
2013 On the Bridge
2018 The Kodiak Queen


Marketing and advertising campaigns
Year Brand/Project Composition/Campaign
2009 Mercedes "Evolving Memories"
2013 Samsung "Evolving Memories"
2014 Vertu for Bentley "La Vie"
2015 Armani "Braveheart"
2016 IKEA "London 15"
2016 Steinway & Sons "Golden Gate"
2017 TNT "12 Sides"
2018 Peugeot "Le Rêve d'une Note"

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "RIOPY De gira con Thrive, su nuevo álbum". What the France. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Classical Albums". Billboard.com. 2022.
  3. ^ "Classical Albums Year End". Billboard.com. 2021.
  4. ^ "De la secte au triomphe : le fabuleux destin de Riopy, pianiste français numéro un aux États-Unis". leparisien.fr. 15 January 2022.
  5. ^ Giuseppina, Manin (3 February 2018). "Jean-Philippe Rio-Py: "Ostaggio di una setta, devo la vita alla musica"". Corriere.it.
  6. ^ a b "The pianist who escaped a sect and topped the charts". ClassicFM. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  7. ^ "The pianist who escaped a sect and topped the charts". France24. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  8. ^ "RIOPY – About". Warner.
  9. ^ "Steinway & Sons Artists". Steinway & Sons. 1 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Jean-Philippe Interview with Steinway & Sons". Steinway & Sons. 1 October 2016.
  11. ^ Alfredo, d’Agnese (21 August 2021). "L'Amoze secondo Riopy". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  12. ^ "Le pianiste Riopy, des ténèbres à la lumière". L'Orient–Le Jour. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  13. ^ a b "RIOPY SHARES FIRST SINGLE 'NOCTURNE' FROM NEW ALBUM 'THRIVE' WHICH FOLLOWS ON 14TH APRIL". Rock 'n' Load. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  14. ^ Alfredo, d'Agnese (21 August 2021). "L'Amoze secondo Riopy".
  15. ^ Van de Woestyne, Francis (2024). états d'âme 2: Grands Entretiens (in French). Les Impressions Nouvelles. p. 380. ISBN 978-2-39070-130-9.
  16. ^ Ernesto, Assante (3 July 2021). "Riopy: "Io, Chris Martin e la mia musica 'benedetta'"". Repubblica.it.
  17. ^ "Jean-Philippe Rio-Py at the Box". Tatler. 5 April 2012.
  18. ^ Ludovic, Perrin (24 December 2021). "Enfance dans une secte, départ en Angleterre, dîner avec Chris Martin... L'incroyable destin du pianiste Riopy". lejdd.fr.
  19. ^ "RIOPY Tour Announced for February 2023". Songkick. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Riopy: "Dans le monde de la musique, je suis perçu comme un mouton noir"". Annieallmusic.blogpost.com. 7 July 2021.
  21. ^ Serious.org (4 October 2023). "RIOPY Tour Announced for February 2023". Serious.
  22. ^ "Tour Dates". Riopymusic.
  23. ^ Michael Major (29 March 2023). "RIOPY Confirms Tour Dates This Summer After Being Featured on Lana Del Rey's New Album". Broadway World.
  24. ^ "RIOPY". www.southbankcentre.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  25. ^ "Riopy en concert". JDS. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  26. ^ Julie (29 August 2023). "RIOPY ENFLAMME LES FOLIES BERGÈRE À PARIS AVEC UN SPECTACLE PIANISTIQUE ÉPOUSTOUFLANT". Sortir a Paris. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  27. ^ "RIOPY". Jambase. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  28. ^ "RIOPY". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  29. ^ {dead link} "Riopy". Bandsintown. Retrieved 2024-01-22. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  30. ^ "Jean-Philippe Rio-Py Composer". Imdb.com.
  31. ^ "RIOPY". Imdb.com.
  32. ^ Ludovic, Perrin (24 December 2021). "Enfance dans une secte, départ en Angleterre, dîner avec Chris Martin... L'incroyable destin du pianiste Riopy". lejdd.fr.
  33. ^ "Composer-pianist RIOPY signs to Warner Classics +++ RIOPY // News". Warner Classics. Archived from the original on 2017-05-13. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  34. ^ "RIOPY居家音乐会 用钢琴绝妙的旋律疗愈心灵". Sohu.com. 15 May 2021.
  35. ^ Robin, Murray (27 September 2019). "Track Of The Day 27/9 – RIOPY 'Ukiyo". Clashmusic.com.
  36. ^ "Year-end Charts New Age Albums". Billboard.com. 2021.
  37. ^ "Classical Albums". Billboard.com. 2022.
  38. ^ Major, Michael. "RIOPY's Song 'Ukiyo' Certified Gold By the RIAA". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  39. ^ Michael Major (March 29, 2023). "RIOPY Confirms Tour Dates This Summer After Being Featured on Lana Del Rey's New Album". Broadway World.
  40. ^ Isabelle Lesniak (23 March 2023). "Piano : Riopy, l'étonnant parcours d'un ovni musical". Les Echos (in French).
  41. ^ "RIOPY announces fourth album 'THRIVE' out 14th April". Rocknload Mag. 18 January 2023.
  42. ^ a b Sophia Alexandra Hall (20 January 2023). "Meet RIOPY: the unbreakable French pianist who escaped a childhood cult". Classic FM.
  43. ^ Jo Forrest (12 January 2023). "RIOPY announces fourth album 'THRIVE' - A new chapter for the pianist-composer and his first album to include strings". Total Ntertainment.
  44. ^ Craig Meighan (7 February 2023). "Classical star Riopy who escaped French cult to play first show in Edinburgh". The National.
  45. ^ Isabelle Lesniak (23 March 2023). "Piano : Riopy, l'étonnant parcours d'un ovni musical". Les Echos (in French).
  46. ^ Griffiths, George (6 July 2023). "Lana Del Rey's BST Hyde Park setlist in full". Official Charts. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  47. ^ Liberty Dunworth (5 July 2023). "Here are the stage times for Lana Del Rey at BST Hyde Park in London". NME.
  48. ^ "RIOPY announces fourth album for Warner Music Group, 'THRIVE', ahead of his first UK tour and a feature on Lana Del Rey's forthcoming album". Rocknload Mag. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  49. ^ "Jean-Philippe Rio-Py at Steinway Hall". Warner/Chappell Music. 1 December 2014.
  50. ^ "Giorgio Armani The Courage To Say Si". Le Book. 1 March 2015.
  51. ^ "Jean-Philippe Rio-Py at Steinway Hall". Warner/Chappell Music. 1 December 2014.
  52. ^ "IKEA - Every Other Week". Jesper Gadeberg.
  53. ^ "Pub Nouvelle Peugeot 508 (France, 2018)". Youtube.com. 9 October 2018.
  54. ^ Imogen, Watson (8 October 2018). "Composer Riopy plays the longest musical score ever with the new Peugeot 508". Thedrum.com.
  55. ^ "2018 Film Craft". Eurobest.com.
  56. ^ "Le Rêve d'une note". Qobuz. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  57. ^ "Meditation". Riopymusic.com.
  58. ^ "INTERVISTA/ Riopy, la mia musica come antidepressivo". Ilmohicano.it. 26 November 2019.
  59. ^ Langford, Bruce (29 September 2021). "Composer Riopy plays the longest musical score ever with the new Peugeot 508". Mindfulness Mode. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  60. ^ "Meditation 432". Warnerclassics.com. 3 April 2020.
  61. ^ Annie, Grandjanin (29 July 2021). "Riopy : Une musique qui invite à l'apaisement et à la méditation". Weculte.com.
  62. ^ Jesse Chappus (2 July 2024). "How to Harness the Healing Power of Music RIOPY 454". ultimatehealthpodcast.com (Podcast). The Ultimate Health Podcast. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  63. ^ "30 min RIOPY Slow Flow". onepeloton.com. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  64. ^ "RIOPY collaborates with the Mental Health Foundation". Rayo. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  65. ^ "RIOPY - Meditation 333". Warner Classics. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  66. ^ "Classical Albums Year End". Billboard.com. 2021.
  67. ^ "Classical Albums". Billboard.com. 2021.
  68. ^ "Classical Albums". Billboard.com. 2022.
  69. ^ a b c Major, Michael (2023-06-01). "RIOPY's Song 'Ukiyo' Certified Gold By the RIAA". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
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