I live and work in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Besides writing for Classics@Cosmik, I am also a reviewer for the magazine Computer Music Journal, devoted to avant garde computer-processed music. In addition, I write fiction and my newest work is the novel, Opposites Detract, published by Adventure Books and available online at http://www.puzzlesbyshar.com/adventurebooks/.. The story was inspired by (but is not based on) Prokofiev's opera, The Fiery Angel. Speaking of Prokofiev—my desert island composer, by the way—I have authored a short biography of him, accessible at the composer's home page at (www.fortunecity.com/victorian/brambles/48/).

Since the late 1950's I have been attending concerts and collecting classical records (or, more accurately, amassing them on decidedly sturdy shelving units). Despite studying the piano in my childhood and teens, I wisely realized my talents lay elsewhere and abandoned my favorite instrument, sparing relatives and friends regular purchase of ear plugs. My musical tastes are broad and include the compositions of Hildegard right on through those of the avant garde composers of today.

Send e-mail to: rcumming@csrlink.net.