About Robert

Baltimore County
Robert Hitz is a composer, pianist, and master teacher. He is the quintessential modern artist – his music spans genres and influences, and is open to all great musical ideas. Although classically trained at the Peabody Institute and Syracuse University, Robert began playing and composing through improvisation.
 
“Passion permeates his music – powerful” (L. Billingsly, RSI). Whether in live concert or his recordings, Robert is an engaging and lyrical performer. He… more

Preparing for New Recordings

Most of my music is created through improvisation, and I’ve been composing and performing new pieces over the past several years. As I review the new work, I recognize I have a body of work suitable for a recording, and I also have several compositions to be released as singles. Hearing these new pieces, audiences have requested recordings of them — so it is time to get that done. Two solo recordings are my primary goal for the coming year.
 
The one piece I’m most excited about came to me in a dream while I was on a cruise with my father. It repeated in my head all night long, and in the morning I raced to write it down before we disembarked. Perhaps because we met a beautiful Latina on this trip, the piece is a yet unnamed Cancion. I'm also proud of the piece commissioned by Johns Hopkins University for the virtual alumni awards ceremony. The piece is called True Blue.

In recent years I've composed music as a wedding gift for several nephews, a cousin, and a former student. Each captures something of the character of each couple, and holds a romantic theme. Stay tuned for new recordings...

  • Robert at the piano.jpg
    Robert at the piano.jpg
  • A Wedding Song: for Keegan and Annie

    A wedding gift for my nephew Keegan and his bride Annie.

  • Cancion Story and Performance
    Sample of new composition and the story behind it.

Opening the Red Door to Touring

I came up with a concept for a project integrating paintings, audience discussion, and improvised music, and decided to call it The Red Door is Open. I proposed the idea to Kimberley Lynne at University of Baltimore and she loved it. So we invited artists Maxine Taylor and Jessica Daemen to bring their paintings, and Kimberley jumped in to moderate the discussion. The response from audience members and the artists was nothing short of incredible so we did it again – this time inviting painter and saxophonist Jeffrey Hoover to join in. Again, we had an enthusiastic response to the lively discussion and the music created in the moment.
 
Now that we’ve tested the concept, I’d like to take the show on the road – so to speak. I am partnering with artist/director John C. Wilson to package this concept for colleges, universities, and art centers around the United States. We will find local artists in each city where we perform, improvise musical responses either solo or with other musicians, and John will serve as the moderator. I’m excited to share this fresh inter-arts program with a wider audience.

  • Red Door concert at UofB Wright Theatre.jpg
    Red Door concert at UofB Wright Theatre.jpg
  • The Red Door is Open Introduction with Kimberly Lynn
    Kimberley Lynne's introduction to the program and the innovative concept.
  • Commentary on Maxines Art
  • Improvisation on an image given by audience member
    Another improvisation
  • Improvisation on an image given by audience member
    Another improvisation

Performing Solo Concerts, Livestreams, and the H and H Piano Duo

In the last couple of years with a pandemic and social distancing many of us have found new opportunities and audiences online. A simple concert is now streamed and available to people around the world, and this new way of reaching and developing audiences is here to stay. From outdoor Concerts on The Lawn, to a balcony in Key West overlooking the ocean. Recording Studios at Peabody and The Studios of Key West, livestreaming has become a great way to engage.
 My newest collaboration is the H and H piano Duo; Felicia Harrington and Robert Hitz. Our duo focuses on Improvisation in a variety of genres as well as covering the standard classical 4 hand repertoire. The samples here are from a recent concert and livestream with input from the audience in the room and on various continents.
 
I will be continuing solo concerts and leading Improv groups, as well as collaborating with a variety of musicians of various genres.

  • H and H Piano Duo.jpg
    H and H Piano Duo.jpg
    The H and H Piano Duo in Concert
  • Schubert Fantasie F Minor for four hand piano OP. 103 D. 940 Felicia Clarke & Robert Hitz
  • Schubert Halt! & Danksagung An Den Bach. Lee Moore & Robert Hitz
  • Die Schöne Müllerin, D. 795: VI: Der Neugierige
  • Fantasie in F Minor Op. 103, D. 940: IV: Tempo 1
  • The Girl From Petrovka - Felicia Clarke
  • Robert Hitz.jpg
    Robert Hitz.jpg
  • dvorak-legends-mvm-4-robert-hitz-felicia-harrington (1).mp3
    Dvorak Legend no 4 for piano 4 hands
  • improv-on-legend-4-robert-hitz-felicia-harrington.mp3
    An Improvisation based on a theme from Dvorak Legend no 4 with assistance from the audience!

Revisiting the Hitz Discography

I am proud of my solo recordings for piano and continue to play many of those pieces in concert. They have passed the test of time. If you are unfamiliar with my work, I hope you will enjoy this sampling.
  • covers.jpg
    covers.jpg
  • 09 Lullabye for a Hero II.mp3
  • 08 Caravanserai.mp3
  • 06 The Mountain Sings.mp3
  • 01 Healing Waters.mp3
  • 05 Timos Anaka.mp3
  • 08 Las Terrenas.mp3