The three movements of A Sound Within, which is affectionately dedicated to Lawrence Moss, are characterized by recurring pitches and intervals placed in specific registers. Some of these sounds retain this registral placement throughout the piece. The structural intent of these repetitions is the sense of small and large-scale variation which results as each recurring idea is continually placed in new surroundings. The title of my piece is drawn from lines of Yosano Akiko (1878–1942), one of Japan's greatest poets:

			Amidst the notes
			of my koto is another
			Deep mysterious tone,
			A sound that comes from
			within my own breast.

A Sound Within (1982) for piano solo

A tribute to the Norwegian guitarist and composer Terje Rypdal, who has been an inspiration to me since I first heard his music in the mid-1970s. 
Credit: Dan Leonard, guitar
Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/@eyemoving

these images in air…

A Sound Within III

A Sound Within II

A Sound Within I (1982)

University of Maryland Wind Orchestra
Michael Votta, Director and Conductor

The Sound of Light (2010) for wind orchestra

Night Music (2002) James Stern, violin

Through the Ear of a Raindrop (2002) UMD Symphony Orchestra, James Ross, Music Director

Figure Funk

Calling (1987) for flute and computer generated sound

Night Music (2002) Eric Kutz, violoncello

Sally Dorer, violoncello; Naoko Takao, piano
Robert Gibson: Chamber Music, Capstone CD (1995)

Robert Gibson Chamber Music

Four Haiku II. Winter

Sally Dorer, violoncello: Takao Takao, piano
Robert Gibson: Chamber Music, Capstone CD CPS 8621 (1995)

Four Haiku III. The Sound

Sally Dorer, violoncello; Takao Takao, piano
Robert Gibson: Chamber Music, Capstone CD CPS 8621 (1995)

Four Haiku IV. Summer Night

Composer and bassist; Professor, School of Music, University of Maryland, College Park
Photo credits: Mary Ella Jourdak Photography

Robert Gibson

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks