Evett, Robert

Evett, Robert, American composer and writer on music; b. Loveland, Colo., Nov. 30, 1922; d. Takoma Park, Md., Feb. 3, 1975. He studied with Roy Harris in Colorado Springs (1941–47) and with Persichetti at the Juilliard School of Music in N. Y. (1951–52). He was chairman of the music dept. of the Washington (D.C.) Inst. of Contemporary Arts (1947–50), and then was book ed. and music critic for the New Republic (1952–68). He was also a contributing critic on books and music for the Washington Star (1961–75), and then its book ed. (1970–75). His compositions were basically neoClassical in nature, with an infusion of dissonant harmonic writing.

Works

Orch. Concertino (1952); Concerto for Small Orch. (1952); Cello Concerto (1954); Variations for Clarinet and Orch. (1955); Piano Concerto (1957); 3 syms.: No. 1 (1960), No. 2, Billy Ascends, for Voices and Orch. (Washington, D.C., May 7, 1965), and No. 3 (Washington, D.C, June 6, 1965); Harpsichord Concerto (Washington, D.C., April 25, 1961); Anniversary Concerto 75 (Washington, D.C., Oct. 19, 1963); The Windhover for Bassoon and Orch. (Washington, D.C, May 20, 1971); Monadnock, dance music (1975). CHAMBER : Clarinet Sonata (1948); Piano Quintet (1954); Duo for Violin and Piano (1955); Cello Sonata (1955); Viola Sonata (1958); 2 violin sonatas (1960; 1975, unfinished); Piano Quartet (1961); Oboe Sonata (1964); Fantasia on a Theme by Handel for Piano, Violin, and Cello (1966). KEYBOARD : Piano : 5 Capriccios (1943–9); 4 sonatas (1945, 1952, 1953, 1956); Chaconne (1950); Toccata for 2 Pianos (1959); Ricercare for 2 Pianos (1961); 6 Etudes (1961). Organ : Trio Sonata (1953). Harpsichord : Sonata (1961). VOCAL: The Mask of Cain for 2 Baritones, Soprano, and Harpsichord (1949); Mass for Voices and Organ (1950); Billy in the Darbies for Baritone, Clarinet, String Quartet, and Piano (1958); The 5 Books of Life for 2 Baritones, Soprano, and Harpsichord (1960); Requiem for Chorus (1973); choruses; songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire