Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

April 19, 1921 in New York City, NY

Death

:

February 7, 2012

 

Robert Maxwell was an American composer, arranger, and harpist who was born on April 19, 1921, in New York City. He was the son of a Russian immigrant who was a professional violinist and a music teacher. Maxwell grew up in a musical family and started playing the piano at the age of six. He later switched to the harp, which became his primary instrument. Maxwell attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition and orchestration. He also studied the harp with Carlos Salzedo, who was a renowned harpist and teacher. Maxwell graduated from Juilliard in 1942 and began his career as a freelance musician. During World War II, Maxwell served in the U.S. Army as a musician. He played the harp in the Army band and also composed music for the band. After the war, Maxwell returned to New York City and continued his career as a freelance musician. Maxwell's early compositions were mainly for the harp, but he also wrote music for other instruments and ensembles. His music was influenced by classical music, jazz, and popular music. Maxwell's style was characterized by lush harmonies, lyrical melodies, and intricate rhythms. In the 1950s, Maxwell became a staff arranger for the NBC Symphony Orchestra, which was conducted by Arturo Toscanini. Maxwell arranged music for the orchestra's radio broadcasts and also composed original music for the broadcasts. He worked with many other orchestras and conductors during his career, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, and Leonard Bernstein. Maxwell's most famous composition is "Ebb Tide," which he wrote in 1953. The song became a hit for many artists, including Frank Chacksfield, The Righteous Brothers, and Roy Hamilton. "Ebb Tide" has been recorded by over 100 artists and is considered a classic pop standard. Maxwell also wrote music for films and television. He composed the score for the 1956 film "The Man Who Knew Too Much," which was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Maxwell's music was used in many other films and TV shows, including "The Twilight Zone" and "The Outer Limits." Maxwell continued to perform as a harpist throughout his career. He recorded several albums of harp music, including "Shangri-La" and "Harp in Hi-Fi." Maxwell also performed with many other musicians, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Barbra Streisand. Maxwell died on February 7, 2012, at the age of 90. He was survived by his wife, Marilyn, and his two children, Robert and Victoria. Maxwell's music continues to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world. His legacy as a composer, arranger, and harpist is a testament to his talent and dedication to music.

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