General

“…touches musical nerves of almost indecent intimacy. This is a disc to treasure, and to share with close friends. […] a precise appeal to an inner ear beyond the mind, in which clarity and texture vie for the listener’s attention.” – Gramophone Magazine

“… a composer with a fertile imagination, a probing inventiveness, an ear for telling instrumental color, and gentle wit.” – AllMusic

Specific works

Three for One for orchestra

“The work was attractive, well-crafted and consistently inventive. The audience approved with a standing ovation.” – Cincinnati Enquirer

Gonzo Variations for chamber orchestra

“Mr. Fiday’s “Gonzo Variations” honored Hunter S. Thompson with a cheeky clash of Stephen Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home” and the Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.” Punctuating the work’s earthy roil with a typewriter’s chatter and ping was novel and appropriate.” – New York Times

“Fiday knows what he’s doing and puts it across with contrast and vigor, making successful use of cross-pollinating techniques.” – Leslie Kandell, Notes on Notes

Automotive Passacaglia for orchestra

“The premiere of Michael Fiday’s “Automotive Passacaglia” with the Oakland East Bay Symphony was exceptional.” – San Francisco Classical Voice

Nine Haiku for flute and piano

“a satisfying set, some of the movements delicate and ephemeral, some enigmatic, some ingeniously clever. ” – AllMusic

Protest Song for mezzo and four instruments

“…a restrained yet powerful outburst of post-9/11 free-speech passion.” – Gramophone Magazine

same rivers different for solo percussion

“…nervously hypnotic” – Gramophone Magazine

“Same Rivers Different, for a single player, features the vibraphone, but it undergoes beautifully calibrated timbral transformations as other instruments are added.” – AllMusic

slapback for electric guitar and delay unit

“…raw and muscular. […] builds, grows and evolves in extremely satisfying ways.” – Sequenza 21

Hands On! for percussion quartet

“…high octane stuff…” Philadelphia Inquirer

Automotive Passacaglia for piano and percussion:

“…clearly structured, colorful and unflaggingly compelling work…” Philadelphia Inquirer

“…spellbinding.” – Gramophone Magazine

“a loopy perpetuum mobile that imaginatively creates the illusion of speedy travel.” – AllMusic