Linn, Robert

Linn, Robert, American composer; b. San Francisco, Aug. 11, 1925; d. Los Angeles, Oct. 28, 1999. He studied with Milhaud at Mills Coll. in Oakland, Calif. (1947–49), and with Sessions, Stevens, and Dahl at the Univ. of Southern Calif. in Los Angeles (M.M., 1951); taught there (from 1958) and served as chairman of the theory and composition dept. (from 1973). In his output, Linn made effective use of traditional forms.

Works

orch.:Overture for Symphony Orchestra (1952); Sym. in 1 Movement (1956; rev. 1961); Hexameron for Piano and Orch. (1963; reconstruction of Liszt’s orchestration of Hexaméron, variations on a theme by Bellini); Sinfonia for Strings (1967; rev. 1972); Concertino for Oboe, Horn, Percussion, and Strings (1972); Fantasia for Cello and Strings (1975–76); Concertino for Woodwind Quintet and Strings (1981–82). woodwind orch.:Elevations(1964); Propagula (1970); Concerto for Flute and Woodwind Orch. (1980); Partita (1980); Concerto for Piano and Woodwind Orch. (1984). chamber: Clarinet Sonata (1949); String Quartet No. 1 (1951); Quartet for 4 Saxophones (1953); 2 piano sonatas (1955,1964); Quartet for 4 Horns (1957); Prelude and Dance for 4 Saxophones (1960); Brass Quintet (1963); Woodwind Quintet (1963); Dithyramb for 8 Cellos (1965); Concertino for Violin and Wind Octet (1965); Vino for Violin and Piano (1975); 12 for Chamber Ensemble (1976–77); Saxifrage Blue for Baritone Saxophone and Piano (1977); Trompe l’oeil for Bass Trombone and Piano (1978); Diversions for 6 Bassoons (1979); Trombosis for 12 Trombones (1979); Serenade for Flute, Clarinet, Cello, and Guitar (1982). vocal:An Anthem of Wisdom for Chorus and Orch. (1958); Pied Piper of Hamlin, oratorio (1968); choruses; songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire