Role

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Composer  

Birth

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1934

Genre

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Keyboard

 

Robert Hebble was an American composer, organist, and pianist who was born on August 26, 1934, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of a church organist and began playing the piano at the age of four. Hebble's musical talent was evident from a young age, and he quickly became a skilled pianist and organist. Hebble attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied piano with Rudolf Serkin and organ with Alexander McCurdy. After graduating from Curtis, Hebble continued his studies at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied composition with Vincent Persichetti. Hebble's early compositions were heavily influenced by the music of J.S. Bach, and he often incorporated elements of Baroque music into his works. Hebble's first major composition was his Sonata for Organ, which he wrote in 1957. The piece was well-received and helped establish Hebble as a promising young composer. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Hebble continued to compose music for the organ, as well as for choir and orchestra. He also became a sought-after performer, giving recitals and concerts throughout the United States and Europe. One of Hebble's most famous works is his Variations on "Amazing Grace" for organ, which he wrote in 1966. The piece is a set of variations on the well-known hymn tune, and it showcases Hebble's skill as a composer and performer. The Variations on "Amazing Grace" has become a staple of the organ repertoire and is frequently performed in churches and concert halls around the world. In addition to his work as a composer and performer, Hebble was also a respected music educator. He taught at several universities and conservatories, including the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland, and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Hebble's later compositions were more experimental and incorporated elements of contemporary music, such as serialism and minimalism. He continued to compose music until his death in 2016 at the age of 81. Overall, Robert Hebble was a talented and versatile composer who made significant contributions to the classical music world. His works for the organ, choir, and orchestra are still performed and admired today, and his legacy as a composer and performer continues to inspire musicians around the world.

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