As a youngster some fifty years ago, I became acquainted with the music of Robert Cobert. It seems like yesterday.
In 1991, I first contacted him to commission a viola concerto which he enthusiastically agreed to do. I gave the world premier of “Concert Piece for Viola and Small Orchestra” with the South Dakota Symphony where I was principal violist. My quartet also performed his String Quartet. In later years, I wrote an article for the American Viola Society for their series on American Composers of Viola Music and two of my friends have recorded several of these works.
Some of my fondest memories:
The first time I met him in person was when he and his wife, Helen, stopped in Sioux Falls, SD to visit me. When he saw me, he exclaimed “I didn’t realize you were such a big guy!”. A day later when they were leaving, he asked me if I had any other questions to ask him (presumably about music, etc.) and I responded “I didn’t realize you were such a little guy!” Helen howled with laughter saying I and really gotten him good.

For the next 27 years I kept in touch with “Uncle Bob” as he would have me affectionately call him. Quite often a card, letter, newspaper article of interest (LA Times, Viola Jokes), or, to my surprise and delight, a new musical composition featuring the viola, or chamber music would arrive. I played the Concert Piece at my New England Conservatory of Music Masters Degree recital and Quentin’s Theme on violin at my wedding. He gave me original scores (I mean original - in pencil!) for The Lonely Ones a.k.a. The Mediterranean Suite, The Requiem for Helen, and a Christmas Card called “Song for Barnabas”, a demo disc of theme’s for the movie “Saving Milly” and “Bob Cobert: A Different View” jazz disc!

We usually spoke a few times a year. Neither one of us liked to have long talks on the phone. He especially avoided birthday calls - so, I would call him the day before. He used to give me grief about how he didn’t have anymore room in the “P” section of his address book since I have moved so many times!

I visited Bob and Helen in Palm Springs. Later, my wife and I stayed with Bob after Helen reposed. When he called me and told me that Helen had passed on from emphysema, I promptly recorded fiddle player Mark O’Connor’s “Appalachian Waltz” on viola unaccompanied and sent it to him. He said it made him cry, thanked me, and said crying helped him to heal. The love that Bob and Helen shared has been a source of inspiration for me.

Bob influenced my life. I would not be a musician if it were not for him. He cared about my well-being, my happiness and my health. He never minced words! He once told me he was very fat when he was younger and that I was fat and needed to lose weight!

He referred to New Year’s Eve as “amateur night,” At a Dark Shadows convention and in front of all of these celebrities, he yelled, “Hey! This is John Peskey! The world’s greatest violist!”.

At the same convention, the very out-of-the-closet actor Louis Edmonds came up and gave him a hug, and pinched him on the behind saying very dryly, “nothing personal”. Gosh, we laughed so hard at that!

We shared many laughs and many sorrows. His contribution to me as a person and as a musician is vastly tangible and intangible at the same time. He has had a profound influence on my life. This last October on the 26th, which would have been his 96th birthday, I played a piece he wrote for me called, “Music for Only One Lonely Viola.” It had a very special meaning this time.

So, “Uncle” Bob and “Aunt” Helen I am happy knowing that you are reunited. I love and miss you both. May your Memories be Eternal!