Robert Linn

By VARIETY STAFF

Classical composer Robert Linn, whose more than 80 works have been performed on six continents, died Oct. 28 from complications of cancer. He was 74.

Linn was emeritus professor at USC's Thornton School of Music, where he taught for 33 years. He was chairman of the composition department for nearly two decades before retiring in 1990.

His works have been performed by the San Francisco, Boston and London symphonies, among others. One piece, 1970's "Propagula," has been performed by every major wind orchestra in the U.S., according to USC.

His music ranged from symphonic pieces to works for wind orchestras, choruses and various combinations of strings, brass and woodwinds. "Dithyramb," for example, was composed for eight cellos. It was commissioned by the American String Teachers Assn. in honor of Pablo Casals.

His 1990 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2, written for pianist John Perry, was a semifinalist in the Kennedy Center's Eric Friedheim Awards Competition of New American Music. The piece was a finalist in the National Orchestra Assn. New Music Project.