Robert Greenberg

Last updated
Robert Greenberg
Born (1954-04-18) April 18, 1954 (age 68)
Brooklyn, New York
Genres Classical, Contemporary classical
Occupation(s)Composer
Instrument(s)piano
Labels Innova Recordings
Website robertgreenbergmusic.com

Robert M. Greenberg (born April 18, 1954 [1] ) is an American composer, pianist, and musicologist who was born in Brooklyn, New York. He has composed more than 50 works for a variety of instruments and voices, and has recorded a number of lecture series on music history and music appreciation for The Great Courses.

Contents

Biography

Greenberg earned a B.A. in music (magna cum laude) from Princeton University and received a Ph.D. in music composition from the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied with Olly Wilson. [2] He has served on the faculties of UC Berkeley, California State University, East Bay, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he was chairman of the Department of Music History and Literature and Director of the Adult Extension Division. Greenberg is the music historian in residence with San Francisco Performances, and he hosts their Saturday morning series of lecture–performances with the Alexander String Quartet.

Greenberg has received numerous awards, including three Nicola De Lorenzo Prizes [3] in composition, and three Meet the Composer grants. Additionally, he has received commissions from the Koussevitzky Foundation [4] of the Library of Congress, the Alexander String Quartet, XTET, and the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players.

A number of his works have been performed in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and the Netherlands. His music was published by the now defunct [5] Fallen Leaf Press and CPP/Belwin (now part of Alfred Publishing Company [6] ) and is recorded on the Innova Recordings label. [7]

Greenberg has lectured for some of the most prestigious musical and arts organizations in the United States. He is the resident composer and music historian for National Public Radio's Weekend All Things Considered .

Greenberg has recorded a number of lecture series for The Great Courses on music history and the appreciation of music. He often relates musical topics to other subjects, such as history and politics, as well as to music from other periods. Referring to Greenberg's lively style and sense of humor, the Bangor Daily News has described him as "the Elvis of music history and appreciation." [8]

He is an artistic adviser at Composers, Inc. [9]

Selected compositions

A complete list of compositions is given on the composer's official web site. [10] Selected compositions and notes are given below:

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References

  1. ↑ "Robert Greenberg". Classical Composer Database.
  2. ↑ Understanding the Fundamentals of Music. Vol. 2. Chantilly, Virginia: The Great Courses. 2007. pp. i. ISBN   978-1-59803-287-1.
  3. ↑ "Nicola De Lorenzo Prizes in Music Composition". University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved 2010-11-27.. Although the prize was established in 1958, unfortunately this page only list winners 1997 to 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Alexander String Quartet (Chamber Instrumental Ensemble)". Among the most recently permièred are ... Among Friends, a Koussevitzky commission by Robert Greenberg.
  5. ↑ "Fallen Leaf Press".
  6. ↑ "Directory of Music Publishers: CPP/Belwin Music". Archived from the original on 2010-11-25.
  7. 1 2 "Alexander String Quartet, Sur Pointe, Innova 111, Tracks 1-3 Child's Play". Archived from the original on 2010-12-02.
  8. ↑ "Flyer for Alexander String Quartet concert" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-16. In 2003, the Bangor (Maine) Daily News referred to Greenberg as "the Elvis of music history and appreciation," an appraisal that has given him more pleasure than any other.
  9. ↑ "Artistic Advisors: Robert Greenberg".
  10. ↑ "Robert Greenberg Works List". Robert Greenberg Music. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "San Francisco Contemporary Music Players: Program Notes, World Premiere February 18, 2002" (PDF).
  12. ↑ WorldCat: Breaths, voices, and cadenze : for string quartet pub 1982. OCLC   23136067.
  13. ↑ WorldCat: By various means : for clarinet quartet. OCLC   22997585.
  14. ↑ WorldCat: Quasi un madrigale : four Italian songs : for soprano and piano. OCLC   24550909.
  15. ↑ WorldCat: Child's play : for string quartet. OCLC   57044750.
  16. ↑ "Robert Greenberg Lecture – Philip Glass". Archived from the original on 2011-04-11. ...his Child's Play for String Quartet was performed at the Concertgebouw of Amsterdam.
  17. ↑ "Alexander String Quartet: Sur Pointe, back cover of CD". Innova Recordings.
  18. ↑ WorldCat: The Passing Years: five songs for baritone and piano (1989?). OCLC   57405882.
  19. ↑ WorldCat: It don't mean a thing : an original percussion sextet based on Taiko drumming, 1990. OCLC   30127675.
  20. ↑ WorldCat: In shape : concerto in three movements for two pianos and marimba pub 1991. OCLC   83133973.
  21. ↑ WorldCat: In shape : concerto in three movements for two pianos and marimba pub 1991. OCLC   25155097.
  22. ↑ WorldCat: Dude 'tudes : for piano pub. 1995. OCLC   34057194.
  23. ↑ WorldCat: Iron balconies and lilies : for soprano, piano, and chamber ensemble : 1992. OCLC   57669926.
  24. ↑ WorldCat: Iron balconies and lilies : for soprano, piano, and chamber ensemble. OCLC   28810549.
  25. ↑ WorldCat: On trial : concerto for vibraphone and chamber ensemble. OCLC   35892309.
  26. ↑ WorldCat: On trial : concerto for vibraphone and chamber ensemble (1994). OCLC   55985134.
  27. ↑ WorldCat: Among friends : string quartet no. 3 (1995). OCLC   37836278. For the Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress, and dedicated to the memory of Serge and Natalie Koussevitzky
  28. ↑ "San Francisco Contemporary Music Players: Complete Repertoire List" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-08-07.
  29. ↑ Funny Like a Monkey, Mvt 1 – Knock Yourself Out, Composers, Inc. at Old First Concerts, 2/1/2011, Joseph Edelberg, violin; Carolin Lee, viola; Thalia Moore, cello; Hadley McCarroll, piano on YouTube
  30. ↑ Funny Like a Monkey, Mvt 2 – Flutterby, Composers, Inc. at Old First Concerts, 2/1/2011, Joseph Edelberg, violin; Carolin Lee, viola; Thalia Moore, cello; Hadley McCarroll, piano on YouTube
  31. ↑ Funny Like a Monkey, Mvt 3 – Morph (with apologies to J.B.), Composers, Inc. at Old First Concerts, 2/1/2011, Joseph Edelberg, violin; Carolin Lee, viola; Thalia Moore, cello; Hadley McCarroll, piano on YouTube
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