Hal Robinson

Harold Hall ("Hal") Robinson (born July 29, 1952 [ [http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/tx/harris/vitals/births/1952/harrb52p.txt Birth records] of Harris County, Texas] ) is an American classical double bass player. He is currently the principal bassist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. [ [http://www.northeasttimes.com/2005/0317/musician.html "A career with strings attached"] by Ruth Rovner in the "Northeast Times", 17 March 2005]

Early life and education

Robinson was born in Houston, Texas, the son of Keith Robinson and Dorothe Fowler. [ [http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/tx/harris/vitals/births/1952/harrb52p.txt Birth records] of Harris County, Texas] Both parents were members of the Houston Symphony Orchestra: his father was the principal bassist, and his mother was a violinist. Hal and all four of his siblings—cellists Sharon and Keith, Jr., and violinists Erica and Kim—became professional string players with notable careers. [ [http://www.northeasttimes.com/2005/0317/musician.html "A career with strings attached"] by Ruth Rovner in the "Northeast Times", 17 March 2005]

Robinson graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Houston ["Grand Concert" (program booklet). Houston: Texas Music Educators Association, 1970] and studied bass at Northwestern University and the Peabody Institute. [ [http://www.northeasttimes.com/2005/0317/musician.html "A career with strings attached"] by Ruth Rovner in the "Northeast Times", 17 March 2005] Among his prominent teachers are Warren Benfield (Chicago Symphony), and Paul Ellison (Houston Symphony).

Musical career

From 1975 to 1977 he held the position of principal bass of the Albuquerque Symphony (now the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra) [ [http://www.philorch.org/styles/poa02e/www/bios.php?page=robinsonharold Philadelphia Orchestra musician biography] ] and played in the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. In 1977, he became assistant principal bass of the Houston Symphony Orchestra. During this time he was on the music faculty at the University of Houston. ["University of Houston School of Music presents 'A Festival of Strings' " (program booklet), Houston: University of Houston, 1979] In 1982 Robinson was a prizewinner at the Isle of Man Solo Competition. [ [http://www.curtis.edu/html/30330.shtml#r Curtis Institute biography] ] In 1985 he was appointed by Mstislav Rostropovich to the position of principal bass of the National Symphony Orchestra, where he performed until 1995, when he assumed his present posts as principal bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra and a member of the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music. [ [http://www.northeasttimes.com/2005/0317/musician.html "A career with strings attached"] by Ruth Rovner in the "Northeast Times", 17 March 2005]

olo performances

Robinson has performed as a soloist with the American Chamber Orchestra, the Greenville (South Carolina) Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Pops Orchestra, the Houston Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Rhode Island Philharmonic. [ [http://www.curtis.edu/html/30330.shtml#r Curtis Institute biography] ] [ [http://www.northeasttimes.com/2005/0317/musician.html "A career with strings attached"] by Ruth Rovner in the "Northeast Times", 17 March 2005] He has instructed master classes in several countries. The "Concerto for Bass, Harp and Strings" was composed expressly for Robinson by composer and fellow bassist Dave Anderson and was given its premiere by Robinson with the Philadelphia Orchestra. [ [http://www.northeasttimes.com/2005/0317/musician.html "A career with strings attached"] by Ruth Rovner in the "Northeast Times", 17 March 2005]

Robinson lives in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, with his adopted son. He also has two adult children. [ [http://www.northeasttimes.com/2005/0317/musician.html "A career with strings attached"] by Ruth Rovner in the "Northeast Times", 17 March 2005]

References

External links