Richard Robbins, the two-time Academy Award nominated composer whose graceful scores accompanied many Merchant Ivory productions, died this week on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.
Mr. Robbins discovered his passion for music at the age of five and was a graduate of the New England Conservatory, after which he proceeded to Vienna to continue his studies. He began his long collaboration with director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant when he wrote and directed Sweet Sounds. The partnership resulted in Robbins composing his first film score for The Europeans.
The apex of Robbins' career came in 1992 and 1993 when he received back-to-back Academy Award nominations for his scores for Howard's End and Remains of the Day.
Richard Robbins, who was suffering from Parkinson's disease, passed away at his home in Rhinebeck, New York. He was 71.