"Jay successfully crafts an album of great instrumental dexterity and narrative prowess that should easily enchant admirers of the genre. Recommended for fans of Max Richter, Ludovico Einaudi, and Olafur Arnalds"
The Silent Ballet
"Richard’s music is unabashedly classical. I mean straight-ahead, old-school classical. You could mistake some of the music here for chamber music pieces by one of the grand masters of the romantic era."
Headphone Commute
"Contemporary, intricate and haunting ... features an impressive roll-call of guest musicians"
MUSO magazine, June/July 09 issue
Track listing
| 1 | Gone ... but not Forgotten (feat. Davy Spillane) |  |
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| 2 | 25th March 1996 | |
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| 3 | Milan | |
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| 4 | Sound 8 | |
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5 | Alone | |
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| 6 | Washington Subway | |
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7 | In The Beginning | |
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| 8 | Dawn | |
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| 9 | Fragile | |
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10 | Promise Me | |
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| 11 | Hope | |
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| All Tracks | |
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.
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