Robert Cummings

Biography

I live and work in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the city known as the home of Little League Baseball. Although I am the author of several fictional works, including the novel Opposites Detract, available until recently from Adventure Books, the main focus of my writing relates to the vast realm of classical music. I have written reviews for the web publications Classical Net Home Page and the now-defunct CD Now classical section. I also once served as editor for a short-lived classical e-zine, Classics@Cosmik.

I have not limited myself to web journals, though: I also have written reviews for the magazine Computer Music Journal, devoted to computer-processed music and sound. I have also done a number of interviews of classical artists, including pianist Arcadi Volodos and composer/pianist Philip Martin. I have, of course, also written countless articles for AllClassical.com.

Although I studied piano in my youth?the late-1950s?I must confess that I selflessly abandoned the instrument in the interest of sparing the neighbors and family frequent purchase of ear plugs. Well, perhaps I wasn't that bad, but I knew I would never become another Horowitz, or perhaps not even Horowitz's page-turner. In any event, for better or worse, I have become a somewhat prolific music journalist, though I still dabble in electronic keyboard playing and composition.

My philosophy as a writer has been to attempt to be as fair and objective as possible in evaluating a performance or work, and never to indulge in ad hominem tactics. My tastes are broad, ranging from chant and the music of the 13th century mystic, Hildegard of Bingen, to the avant garde, as well as more traditional music of today.

My favorite composer is Prokofiev, and I also have a fondness for the music of Shostakovich, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky, Chopin, Vaughan Williams, Liszt, Mozart and Beethoven. Here are a few favorite recordings:

Prokofiev: The Fiery Angel; Valery Gergiev conducting the Kirov Chorus and Orchestra, St. Petersburg. Philips 446 078-2

Prokofiev: Symphony Nos. 1 & 2; Dreams; Autumnal Sketch. Theordore Kuchar conducting the NSO of Ukraine. Naxos 8.553053

Shostakovich: 15 Symphonies. Rudolf Barshai conducting the WDR Symphony Orchestra. Brilliant Classics 6324

Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms; Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments; Symphony in C; Neeme Jarvi conducting the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande; Boris Berman, Piano. Chandos 9239

Beethoven: 9 Symphonies. Claudio Abbado conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. DG 469 000-2 ~ Robert Cummings, Rovi