Artist description Composer/bassist with interests in chamber music, computer music and jazz

Music Style Contemporary concert music, eclectic

Musical Influences Toru Takemitsu, György Ligeti, Edgard Varèse, Claude Debussy, Josquin des Prez

Artist History Robert Gibson studied double bass with Jane Little (Atlanta Symphony), Analee Bacon (University of Georgia), Warren Benfield (Chicago Symphony) and Lucas Drew (University of Miami). While completing his studies at the University of Miami (B.M., 1972), he also performed as a member of the Greater Miami Philharmonic Orchestra under Alain Lombard. His composition studies were with Steven Strunk (M.M., Catholic University, 1975) and Lawrence Moss (D.M.A., University of Maryland, 1980). He is currently professor of composition at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he directs the School of Music’s MIDI Lab and one of the School's two computer music studios for composition. Gibson has been a composer member of the Contemporary Music Forum of Washington, DC since 1987, and he is also a performer of new music. As a jazz bassist and composer he has appeared leading his own groups and, during the early 80's, as a sideman with internationally recognized artists including Mose Allison, Bob Berg, Marc Copland, Tom Harrell, Eddie Harris and Barney Kessel. Among Gibson’s compositions are Concerto for Double Bass and Chamber Orchestra, A Sound Within for piano solo, Offrande for string quartet, and numerous works for various chamber ensembles. His compositions have been performed throughout the United States, including concerts at the national conferences of The College Music Society, Society of Composers, Inc. and The Society for Electro–Acoustic Music in the United States. Gibson’s works have also been presented on National Public Radio and in South America and Europe, including performances by such notable artists as Bertram Turetzky, the Meridian String Quartet, the Clarion Wind Quintet and David Hardy, principal cellist of the National Symphony Orchestra. Since 1985 he has also worked with computer music systems, and his electronic works have been performed at national and international conferences and festivals. He has also written music for film and television, including a documentary score for the National Geographic Explorer series. Gibson’s compositions have been recorded on Golden Crest (The American Music Project, Clarion Wind Quintet, 1979), Spectrum Records (Soundscapes, 1982; Music of Robert Gibson, 1986) and Capstone Records (Chamber Music, 1995). Among his awards in composition are six Creative and Performing Arts Awards from the University of Maryland Graduate School and the Artist Fellowship in Music (1982) and an Individual Artist Award (1993) from the Maryland State Arts Council and a Community Engagement Grant from the American Composers Forum (1999).

Instruments Double bass, computer music studio

Albums Chamber Music (Capstone Records CPS 8621)

Press Reviews Reviews of Chamber Music (Capstone CD): "Stunning...Gibson's voice is fully formed, attractive, and compelling...[He] urges us to rethink the fundamental elements of music.... An understanding of Gibson's inspirational impetus is often illuminating but not essential. His music is, in the final analysis, pure music — eight musical distillates — pungent, and sometimes overpowering." — William Zagorski, Fanfare Magazine || Chamber Music appears on Fanfare magazine’s 1996 Want List as one of critic William Zagorski’s five notable recordings of the year. || "There is a temptation when pure sound becomes so intriguing, to skip the hard work of shaping it into forms that have an inner logic, forms that communicate. But the pieces on this disc, expertly played by a variety of performers, merge the attractions of meaningful structure into those of fascinating texture." — Joseph McLellan, The Washington Post || "His feeling for all of the instruments is unerring, bringing out each character effectively...Since finally buying a car with a working radio, I have been enjoying John Schaeffer on Public Radio on my way home. I would recommend this disc to him for his New Sounds program. I suspect you would enjoy it also." — D. Moore, American Record Guide || "[Gibson's CD] is marked by a conviction he knows what he wants to say, that he is unconcerned with current fashions and willing to search out new territories...Gibson is achieving something we rarely hear in electronic compositions these days, spontaneous forms with genuine musical ideas.— Barry L. Cohen, The Music Connoisseur || "Robert Gibson writes lovely and competent chamber music, as demonstrated in his recent release from Capstone."— Phillip George, 20th Century Music

Location Olney, MD - USA

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