Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

January 4, 1950 in New York

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Robert Dick was an American composer and flutist who was born on December 16, 1950, in New York City. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Robert began playing the flute at the age of 10 and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Robert studied at the Manhattan School of Music and later at the Yale School of Music, where he earned his Master of Music degree. During his time at Yale, he studied with the renowned flutist Julius Baker, who had a significant influence on Robert's playing and compositional style. Robert's early compositions were heavily influenced by the avant-garde music of the 1960s and 1970s. He was particularly interested in the works of John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen, and he incorporated elements of their experimental styles into his own compositions. One of Robert's most significant works from this period is his composition "Lookout," which was written in 1975. The piece is a solo flute work that features extended techniques such as multiphonics and flutter-tonguing. "Lookout" was a groundbreaking work at the time, and it helped establish Robert as a leading figure in the contemporary classical music scene. In the 1980s, Robert began to incorporate elements of jazz and world music into his compositions. He was particularly interested in the music of India and studied with the renowned Indian flutist Hariprasad Chaurasia. Robert's interest in Indian music can be heard in his composition "Flames Must Not Encircle Sides," which was written in 1986. The piece features a blend of Indian and Western musical elements and is scored for flute, tabla, and synthesizer. Robert's interest in jazz can be heard in his composition "Fish Are Jumping," which was written in 1989. The piece is a jazz-inspired work for flute and piano that features improvisation and syncopated rhythms. Throughout his career, Robert was also an active performer. He was a member of the New York City Ballet Orchestra and performed with numerous other orchestras and ensembles. He was also a sought-after soloist and gave recitals around the world. In addition to his compositions for flute, Robert also wrote works for other instruments and ensembles. One of his most significant works in this regard is his composition "Gravity's Ghost," which was written in 1999. The piece is a concerto for cello and orchestra that features a blend of classical and jazz elements. Robert continued to compose and perform throughout his life, and his works have been performed by numerous orchestras and ensembles around the world. He was also a respected teacher and taught at numerous institutions, including the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Iowa. Robert passed away on April 22, 2021, at the age of 70. His legacy as a composer and performer continues to inspire musicians around the world, and his contributions to the contemporary classical music scene will be remembered for years to come.

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