Life and career
Rodriguez received his early musical education in his native San Antonio and in Austin (University of Texas at Austin), Los Angeles (University of Southern California), Lenox (Tanglewood), Fontainebleau (Conservatoire Americain) and Paris. His teachers have included Nadia Boulanger, Jacob Druckman, Bruno Maderna, Clifton Williams, and Elliott Carter. Rodriguez first gained international recognition in 1971, when he was awarded the Prix de Composition Musicale Prince Pierre de Monaco by Prince Rainier and Princess Grace at the Palais Princier in Monte Carlo. Other honors include the Prix Lili Boulanger, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Goddard Lieberson Award from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. Rodriguez has served as Composer-in-Residence with the San Antonio Symphony (1996–99) and the Dallas Symphony (1982, Meet the Composer Orchestra Residency Program). He currently holds the Endowed Chair of University Professor of Music at the University of Texas at Dallas. His music is published by G. Schirmer and is recorded on the Newport, Crystal, Orion, Gasparo, Urtext, ACA Digital, CRI, First Edition, Naxos and Albany labels.
Rodriguez’ music has been performed by conductors such as Sir Neville Marriner, Antal Dorati, Eduardo Mata, James DePriest, Sir Raymond Leppard, Keith Lockhart and Leonard Slatkin. His work has received orchestral and operatic performances in recent seasons by such organizations as the Vienna Schauspielhaus, The National Opera of Mexico, New York City Opera, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Boston Repertory Theater, American Music Theater Festival (now Prince Music Theater), Dallas Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Pennsylvania Opera Theater, Michigan Opera Theatre, Orlando Opera, Florida Grand Opera, The Aspen Music Festival, The Juilliard Focus Series, The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Mexico City Philharmonic, Toronto Radio Orchestra, The Baltimore, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Knoxville, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Boston and Chicago Symphonies, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra.
Opera, theater and dance
La Curandera (2006) - opera (Libretto: Mary Medrick)A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2001) - Incidental Music (Text: Shakespeare)The Tempest (2000) - Concert Dramatization (Text: Shakespeare)The Last Night of Don Juan (2000) - Musical Play (Text: Murray Ross, after Rostand, Zorilla)Meta 4 (1994) - Ballet/String QuartetFrida (1991, rev. 93) - opera (Libretto: Hillary Blecher, Migdalia Cruz)The Old Majestic (1988) - opera (Libretto: Mary Medrick)Monkey See, Monkey Do (1986) - opera for children (Libretto: Mary Medrick)The Ransom of Red Chief (1986) - opera for children (Libretto: Daniel Dibbern after O. Henry)Tango (1985) - opera/theater piece (Text: Newsclippings)The Seven Deadly Sins (1984) - Ballet /Wind EnsembleSuor Isabella (1982) - opera (Libretto: Daniel Dibbern, after Boccaccio)Le Diable Amoureux (1978) - opera (Frans Boerlage, after Cazotte)Favola Concertante (1975, rev. 77) - ballet/ concerto for violin, cello and string orchestraDe Rerum Natura (2013)Cancion de los ninos (2007) for Children's Chorus and OrchestraAgnus Dei for Mozart's Mass in C-Minor (2006) for Soloists and OrchestraMusical Dice Game (2005) for Two String Quartets and Two String OrchestrasFlight (2002) for Narrator and Orchestra (Text: Sukey Smith)The Tempest (2000) for Actors and Orchestra (Text: Shakespeare)Bachanale: Concertino for Orchestra (1999)Las Mananitas de los Ninos (1999)Praline and Fudge (1998) for Bass and Chamber Orchestra (Texts: Cookbooks)Forbidden Fire (1998) for Bass, Chorus and Orchestra (Texts: Bible, various sources)Sinfonia a la Mariachi (1997) for Double OrchestraTrilogica (Pinata, Tango di Tango, Hot Buttered Rumba) (1996)Hot Buttered Rumba (1996)Scrooge (1994) for Bass, Chorus and Orchestra (Text: Dickens)Adoracion Ambulante/Fanfare/Con Flor y Canto (1994) for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra (Text: Bible, Popol Vuh)Mascaras (1993) for Cello and OrchestraPinata (1991)Ursa (1990) for Contrabass and OrchestraA Gathering of Angels: Bolero for Orchestra (1989)Invocation of Orpheus (1989) for Trumpet, Harp and StringsA Colorful Symphony (1987) for Narrator and Orchestra -Text: Norton Juster (The Phantom Tollbooth)We, the People (original title Jargon) (1987) for Narrator, Chorus and Orchestra (Text: Mary Medrick)Tango di Tango (1985)Varmi'ts! (1985) for Narrator, Chorus and Orchestra (Text: Texas Tall Tales)The Seven Deadly Sins (1984) for orchestra (also version for wind ensemble)Oktoechos: Concerto Grosso (1983)Trunks (1983) for Narrator and Orchestra (Text: Composer)Semi-Suite (1981) for Violin and Chamber OrchestraEstampie (1981) for Chamber OrchestraTransfigurationis Mysteria (1980) for Narrator, Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra (Text: Bible)Favola Boccaccesca (1979)The Salutation Rag (1978)Four Advent Chorale-Preludes by J. S. Bach (arr.1978)for Chorus and OrchestraFavola Concertante (1975, rev. 77) for Violin, Cello and String OrchestraSinfonia Concertante (1974) for Soprano Saxophone and Chamber OrchestraConcerto III for Piano and Orchestra (1974)Canto (1973) for Soprano, Tenor and Chamber Orchestra (Text: Dante, Anonymous French)Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda by Claudio Monteverdi (arr.1973)Concert Suite from ‘L’Orfeo’ by Claudio Monteverdi (arr. 1973)Concert Suite from ‘L’Incoronazione di Poppea’ by Claudio Monteverdi (arr.1972)Lyric Variations (1971) for Oboe and String OrchestraAdagio for Small Orchestra (1967)Alle(...)luia - Variations (1987) for Organ and ChimesApache Wedding Blessing (2006) for Voice and GuitarArabesque by Robert Schumann (arr. RXR, 2010) for 2 GuitarsAspen Sketches (1992) for PianoBachanale (1999) for 2 PianosCanto (1982) (It/Fr) for Soprano, Tenor, and Ensemble (Text: Dante and anonymous French)Capriccio on the Departure of a Beloved Brother by J.S. Bach (arr. RXR, 1976) for 2, 3 or 4 GuitarsCaprichos (2012) for Piano SoloChronies (1981) for Bass Clarinet and PercussionCinco Poemas de Garcia Lorca (1975) (Sp) for Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, and PianoConcert Suite from Frida (1993) (En/Sp) for Mezzo-Soprano and Ensemble or Piano (Text: Hillary Blecher, Migdalia Cruz)Concert Suite from Suor Isabella (1983) for Soprano and Ensemble (Text: Daniel Dibbern)El dia de los muertos (2006) for 8 percussionistsDolorosa et Lacrimabilis Es, Virgo Maria (1980) for Mixed Chorus, Soprano, Flute, and WindchimesThe Dot and the Line (2005) for Narrator and Chamber Ensemble (Text: Norton Juster)Ductia (1980, rev. 83) for Harp, Harp Duo, Flute and Harp, or other combinationsEstampie (1981) for Clarinet, Cello, Percussion, and Piano; version for Piano SoloFantasia Lussuriosa (1989) for PianoFavola Concertante (1977) for Piano TrioFavola I, Episode from Favola Concertante (1977) for CelloFavola II, Episodes from Favola Boccaccesca (1980) for Clarinet, Cello, and PianoFive Etudes from Oktoechos (1983) 1. for Clarinet and Bassoon, 2. for Trumpet and Trombone, 3. for Piano Solo, 4. for Violin and Percussion, 5. for Cello SoloThe Food of Love (2004) for Violin/Actor and Piano (Text: William Shakespeare)For Piano I and II (1978) for PianoFour Poems from ‘Neue Gedichte’ (1971) (Gr) for soprano or tenor and piano (Text: Rainer Maria Rilke)Frammenti Musicali (1978) for Flute and Piano or for Piano SoloGambits, Six Chess Pieces (2001) for Horn and Piano or Tuba and PianoImprovisation Matrix (1978) for Any Instrument or Combination of Instruments or for Piano Solo or Multiple PianosInvocation of Orpheus (1989) for Trumpet, Harp, and String Quartet or for Trumpet and PianoIl Lamento di Tristano (1997) for Flute and GuitarLull-A-Bear from Ursa (1993) for Cello (or Bassoon) and PianoMascaras (1993) for Cello and Chamber EnsembleMedieval Suite (1983) from the ballet Estampie for Horn, Violin, and PianoMeditation (1981) for Flute, Clarinet, Cello, and PercussionMeta 4 (1994) Ballet for String QuartetA Midsummer Night’s Dream (2001) – Incidental Music for the Shakespeare PlayMirror Sonnets (1989) for One, Two or Three Sopranos and Guitar or Piano (Text: Fred Curchack)Musica, por un tiempo (2008) for B-flat Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and PianoMy Lady Carey’s Dompe (1985) Variations on an Elizabethan Melody for Piccolo Trumpet, Descant Horn and Keyboard (Harpsichord or Piano)Les Niais Amoureux (1989) for Clarinet and Piano TrioOmaggio al Divino (2009) for Two GuitarsPlaisir d’Amour (1982) - after the song by Padre Martini for Flute, Clarinet, and BassoonPraline and Fudge (1979) - Recitative and Aria in Baroque Style for Bass Voice and Piano (Text: from Cookbooks)Presences (1973) (Fr) for Soprano or Tenor and Piano (Text: Peter Clothier, trans. by Lucile Golson)Quodlibet on Medieval Tunes (1978) for any number of players on any combination of instrumentsThe Salutation Rag (1976, rev. 79) for Piano 4-handsSemi-Suite (1980) for Piano, 4-handsSemi-Suite (1981) for Violin and Piano (plus Clarinet and Percussion ad lib)Seven Deadly Sequences (1990) for PianoSix Episodes from The Ransom of Red Chief (1987) for PianoSix Maxims de La Rochefoucauld (1991) (Fr) for Voice and PianoSix Songs of E.E. Cummings (2008) for Soprano and Marimba or Soprano and PianoSon Risa (2006) for Solo HarpSonata in One Movement (1973) for Soprano Saxophone (or Clarinet) and PianoSonatina d’Estate (1982) for Flute and PianoThe Song of Songs (Shir Hashirim) (1992) for Soprano, Narrator, and Ensemble (Text: Sholom Aleichem [trans. by Curt Leviant] and the Bible)Sor(tri)lege: Trio III (2007) for Piano TrioTango (1985) for Tenor and Chamber Ensemble (Libretto (En) by the Composer from 1913-14 news clippings)Tango di Tango (1985) for Violin, Accordion and Piano or for Piano SoloTentado por la samba (2007) for Cello and PianoThree Lullabies (1990) for Piano or Guitar (transcribed for guitar by Enric Madriguera)Three Songs and A Monologue from As You Like It (1990) for Voice and PianoToccata for Guitar Quartet (1976)Toccata for Guitar Solo (1983) (transcribed by Robert Guthrie)Toccata for Percussion Quintet (1977)Trio I (1971) for Piano TrioTrio II (1970) for Piano TrioThe Versatility Rag (2006) for Piano SoloRobert Xavier Rodriguez: Complete Works for Cello and Piano / Tentado por la samba, Mascaras, Ursa, Favola I, Lull-A-Bear - Jesus Castro-Balbi, Cello and Gloria Lin, Piano; Albany, TROY 1355Chamber Works / Meta 4, Trio III: Sor(tri)lege, Trio II, Trio I - Colorado Quartet, Clavier Trio, Voices of Change. Albany, TROY 1136Robert Xavier Rodriguez: Works for Chorus & Orchestra / Forbidden Fire, Con Flor y Canto, Scrooge - George Cordes, Baritone; Rodney Nolan, Tenor; University of Miami Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; Miami Children’s Chorus; Thomas M. Sleeper, Conductor. Albany, TROY 430Robert Xavier Rodriguez: Meet the Composer Recording / Oktoechos – Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Eduardo Mata, Conductor / Favola Boccaccesca – Louisville Orchestra; Laurence Leighton Smith, Conductor / The Song of Songs – Voices of Change, Irene Gubrud, Soprano; Fred Curchack, Actor; Robert Xavier Rodriguez, Conductor. First Edition, FECD-0027Musical Theater Works/ Tango – Rafael Alvarez, Tenor / Concert Suite from Frida – Angelina Reaux, Soprano; Voices of Change; Robert Xavier Rodriguez, Conductor CRI, CD824Voces Americanas: Works by Robert Xavier Rodriguez, Mario Lavista, Roberto Sierra, Mario Davidovsky, Tania Leon./ Les Niais Amoureux - Emmanuel Borok, Violin; Ross Powell, Clarinet; Christopher Adkins, Cello; Jo Boatright, Piano; Voices of Change. CRI 773. (Nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for "Best Small Ensemble Performance".)Celebration Of Flight: Works by William Bolcom, Steven Winteregg, Michael Schelle, and Robert Xavier Rodriguez / Flight - Allison Janney, narrator; Dayton Philharmonic; Neal Gittleman, conductor. Albany, TROY 672Laugh, Regardless of Creed : Works of Louis Gruenberg, Alla Borzova, Robert Xavier Rodriguez and Larry Alan Smith / Tango – Paul Sperry, Tenor; Members of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra; Robert Xavier Rodriguez, Conductor. Albany, TROY 740American Music for Percussion 1 / El dia de los muertos - New England Conservatory Percussion Ensemble; Frank Epstein, Conductor; Naxos 8.559683Le Grand Tango: Works of Astor Piazzolla, Alberto Ginastera, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Federico Ibarra, Robert Xavier Rodriguez and Manuel Enriquez / Lull-A-Bear - Carlos Prieto, Cello; Edison Quintana, Piano. Urtext, JBCC014American Contemporary Chamber Music: Works of William Kraft, Robert Xavier Rodriguez, Larry Alan Smith and Dan Welcher / Chronies, Meditation - Voices of Change. Crystal, CD704Rachmaninov Suites / Bachanale (version for two pianos) - Miwako Takeda & Nobuhito Nakai, Pianos; Pro Arte Musicae, 2008.9.27Encantamiento / Son Risa - Elisabeth Remy Johnson, Harp; ACA Digital, CM20103I Loved Lucy / Il Lamento di Tristano - Susan DeJong, Flute; Jeffrey Van, Guitar; Duologue. Gasparo, GSCD-348Americans in Paris / Six Maxims de la Rochefoucauld - Hillary Hight Daw, Soprano; Barbara Elfrid, Piano. ACA DigitalSeven World Premieres / Tentado por la samba - Carlos Prieto, Cello; Doris Stephenson, Piano. Urtext, JBCC 183
