photo credit: Alex Thebez
Robert Karpay is a Baltimore-based composer, cellist, pianist and recording artist renowned for his versatility and innovative approach to music. His compositions span solo, chamber, and orchestral works, often capturing ephemeral and emotionally charged moments. In addition to his concert repertoire, Karpay has crafted lighthearted scores reminiscent of 1990s video games, blending nostalgic Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis styles with contemporary production techniques. His expertise in video game music extends beyond stylistic homages—he has composed original scores for indie games, bringing his distinctive melodic sensibility and intricate orchestration to interactive media. In recent years, he has delved into creating expansive, abyssal soundscapes, collaborating with instrumentalists, videographers, and producers to spotlight his cello performances. Notable works Shed, the “poetic and sorrowful” (MusicPaper) But the Dharma is Vast, his first two solo albums as a cellist and composer Insula and Shadelight, and the award-winning score for Vivid Dreams, which garnered accolades from the Rome Movie Awards and the Berlin Indie Film Festival.
Karpay has been a participant at Point Counterpoint’s New Music on the Point, and the Ostrava Days Institute and New Music Festival.
As a recording artist, Karpay has contributed to a variety of projects, working with a wide range of artists including Widowspeak, Andy Farber/James Schamus, Leapling and Little Mystery, showcasing his distinct cello sound. His collaborations span multiple genres, from classical and experimental to electronic and film music. His expertise extends to sound design, where he has helped craft product sounds for prominent brands, enhancing user experiences in devices (Bose), such as self-checkouts (Toshiba/CVS), smart automobiles (Rivian, Fisher), meditation and sleep apps.
His academic journey includes earning both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, studying composition, theory and orchestration under mentors like Richard Danielpour, Nils Vigeland, and Seiko Füting, and piano with Marjean Olson.
Beyond composition, Karpay serves as a digital music instructor at the Baltimore School for the Arts, nurturing the next generation of musicians. His recent composition, "Disquiet Discord," commissioned for the school's orchestra, reflects on the high school experience, capturing the anxieties and peer influences of adolescence.
NYC-based menswear designers Abdul Abasi and Greg Rosborough asked me to compose original music and sound design for a video promoting their “In Plain Sight” campaign.
Buy Super Slime Arena on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/706960/Super_Slime_Arena/
Super Slime Arena is a 16-bit style, party-fighting game embracing equal parts accessibility and chaos. One attack, one hitpoint, all slime! Use nearly any controller in fast and frantic 2-50+ multiplayer matches across the many lands of Planet Blorb!
Broad Strokes asked me to create original music and sound design for their upcoming video game release, Floppy and the Sleepy Planet. It emphasizes non-violence, puzzle-solving and fluid platforming.
It’s brought me immense joy creating music for the projects shown below. Feel free to reach out to me any time so we can discuss how I can create something memorable for you.