Those who have been moved by the lyrically sensitive compositions of David Thomas Roberts and have found them to stimulate mind and soul will understand the delight I recently felt visiting with the composer. This gentleman of many aptitudes was kind enough to generously engage in a series of lengthy telephone conversations with me recently. He was graciously warm and considerate of my musical illiteracies. The conversation was as invigorating as I find his music to be.
We discussed so much, and I regret that there is room to share only a few of the elements we covered along with a summation of his musical creativity. To write about the career of David Thomas Roberts is to undertake a challenging but delightful task. It is challenging because the composer is deeply introspective with a soulfully complex mind. It is difficult to extract and discuss one aspect of his artistic achievements without referencing his other endeavors and interests. He is an accomplished author, poet, visual artist, composer, and pianist.
As a composer he was very descriptive when talking about the influences on his life and especially on his music. I will avoid referring to his early years in Kreole, Mississippi, as humble beginnings, for as I listened to him describe his early life in great detail, I came to realize how much he derived from his childhood. While his family was far from financially well-
