Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

March 17, 1917 in Marquette, MI

Death

:

April 24, 1997 in San Diego, CA

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Vocal

 

Robert Erickson was an American composer who was born on March 7, 1917, in Marquette, Michigan. He was the son of a Lutheran minister and grew up in a musical family. His mother was a pianist, and his father played the organ. Erickson began playing the piano at a young age and showed an early interest in music. Erickson attended the University of Michigan, where he studied composition with Ross Lee Finney and received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1940. He then went on to study at the Eastman School of Music, where he earned his Master of Music degree in 1942. During World War II, Erickson served in the Army Air Corps as a band leader and arranger. After the war, Erickson returned to the United States and began teaching at San Francisco State University. He also studied with Aaron Copland at Tanglewood and with Luigi Dallapiccola in Italy. In 1957, he joined the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, where he taught until his retirement in 1987. Erickson's music is characterized by its use of electronic and computer-generated sounds, as well as its incorporation of non-Western musical traditions. He was particularly interested in the music of Indonesia and Japan and traveled to those countries to study their music firsthand. One of Erickson's most famous works is his 1958 piece, "Fantasy for Cello and Orchestra." The piece was commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony and was premiered by cellist Pierre Fournier. The work is notable for its use of extended techniques, such as glissandi and harmonics, and its incorporation of Indonesian gamelan music. Another notable work by Erickson is his 1960 piece, "Pacific Sirens." The work is scored for soprano, chorus, and orchestra and is based on the legend of the sirens who lured sailors to their deaths. The piece is notable for its use of electronic sounds, which Erickson created by manipulating recordings of the soprano's voice. Erickson's interest in non-Western music is evident in his 1964 piece, "Kryl," which is scored for gamelan ensemble and Western instruments. The piece was inspired by the music of the Balinese gamelan and features complex rhythms and interlocking melodies. In addition to his work as a composer, Erickson was also a respected teacher and mentor. Many of his students went on to become successful composers in their own right, including Roger Reynolds and Rand Steiger. Erickson continued to compose and teach until his death on April 24, 1997, in San Diego, California. He was 80 years old. Today, he is remembered as one of the most innovative and influential composers of the 20th century, whose work continues to inspire and challenge musicians and audiences alike.

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