Robert Turner's family and friends published a memorial and archive website which includes tributes from students and colleagues, audio samples, a list of compositions, and an extensive bibliography. The website can be found at robert-turner.com.
Selected works
Stage
The Brideship, Opera in 1 act, 3 scenes (1966–1967); libretto by
George Woodcock
Vile Shadows, Opera in 2 acts for soloists and wind quintet (1982–1983, revised 1998); libretto after the play of the same name by Norman Newton
Orchestral
Opening Night, Theatre Overture (1955)
Lyric Interlude (1956)
Nocturne (1956, 1965); original version for piano solo
A Children's Overture (1958); suitable for youth and community orchestras
The Pemberton Valley, Suite (1958)
Symphony for Strings for string orchestra (1960)
3 Episodes (1963)
Moerae (1963)
Eidolons, 12 Images for chamber orchestra (1972)
Variations on "The Prairie Settlers's Song" (1974)
Symphony in One Movement "Gift from the Sea", Symphony No. 2 (1983)
Playhouse Music (1986)
Shades of Autumn (1987)
Manitoba Memoir for string orchestra (1989)
Symphony No. 3 (1990)
House of Shadows, A Symphonic Synthesis after the Opera Vile Shadows (1994)
Diverti-memento for chamber orchestra (1997)
Festival Dance (1997)
Band
Robbins' Round, Concertino for jazz band (1959)
Concertante
Concerto for 2 pianos and orchestra (1971)
Chamber Concerto for bassoon and 17 instruments (1973)
Capriccio Concertante for cello, piano and orchestra (1975)
From a Different Country: Homage to Gabrieli for solo brass quintet and orchestra (1976)
Encounters for soloists and orchestra (1985)
Flutenanny, Encounter I for flute, string orchestra and harp
Spring Greeting, Encounter II for clarinet, string orchestra and piano
Shadows, Like Lost Souls, Encounter III for violin and orchestra
A Great Quiet and a Still Home, Encounter IV for cello and orchestra
Ebb Tide, Encounter V for voice (high or low) and orchestra; words by
Marjorie Pickthall
The Wind's and the Wave's Riot, Encounter VI for piano and orchestra
Shepherd on the Make, Encounter VII for oboe, string orchestra and percussion
The Old Sea's Pride, Encounter VIII for horn and orchestra
The Strong Thunder of the Full Straits, Encounter IX for trombone and orchestra
Concerto for viola and orchestra (1986–1987)
A Group of Seven: Poems of Love and Nature by Canadian Poets for viola, narrator and orchestra (1991)
Chamber music
String Quartet No. 1 (1949)
Lament for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and piano (1951)
String Quartet No. 2 (1954)
Sonata for violin and piano (1956)
Little Suite for harp (1957)
Vignette for clarinet, 2 violins, viola and cello (1958, revised 1988)
Variations and Toccata for flute (piccolo), oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, 2 violins, viola, cello and double bass (1959)
Serenade for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon (1960)
4 Fragments for 2 trumpets, horn and 2 trombones (1961)
Fantasia for organ, brass quintet and timpani (1962)
Diversities for violin, bassoon and piano (1967)
Transition, Trio for violin, cello and piano (1969)
Fantasy and Festivity for harp (1970)
Nostalgia for soprano saxophone and piano (1972)
String Quartet No. 3 (1975)
Lament for Linos, An Elegiac Triptych for flute (piccolo), clarinet (E-flat clarinet), piano (celesta), prepared tape and slides (1978); words by
Rainer Maria Rilke
Shadow Pieces for flute, bassoon, violin, cello and piano (1981)
Bitonal Wedding, 3 Fanfares for 2 trumpets (1997)
Keyboard
Sonata Lyrica for piano (1955, revised 1963)
Nocturne for piano (1956); orchestrated in 1965
Dance of the Disenchanted for piano (1959, 1988)
6 Voluntaries for organ (1959)
A Merry-Mournful (Major-Minor) Mood for piano (1971)
Wedding March for organ or piano (1977)
Vestiges, 3 Pieces for piano (1987)
Vocal
Eclogue: The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd for voice, oboe (or flute, or clarinet, or violin), and harpsichord (or piano) (1958); words by
Sir Walter Raleigh
4 Songs for tenor and orchestra (1959)
The Phoenix and the Turtle for mezzo-soprano, flute, bass clarinet, clarinet, string trio, celesta and harp (1964); words by
William Shakespeare
Suite in Homage to Melville for soprano, alto, viola and piano (1966); words by
Herman Melville
Four Songs for voice and orchestra (1969); words from Friday's Child by
Wilfred Watson
Johann's Gift to Christmas for narrator and orchestra (1972)
Ebb Tide, Encounter V for voice (high or low) and orchestra (1985); words by
Marjorie Pickthall
Time for Three, 3 Songs for mezzo-soprano, viola and piano (1985); words by
John Milton,
Marjorie Pickthall and anonymous
Four "Last Songs" for voice, violin and piano (1995); words by
Francis Ledwidge