CASTRO-ROBINSON, Eve De

EVE DE CASTRO-ROBINSON (b. 1956) is a New Zealand composer, pianist and educator, born in London and based in Auckland. She studied composition at the University of Auckland, where in 1991 she became the first person to receive a Doctor of Music degree. She subsequently taught composition and musical analysis at the university for more than twenty-five years.
De Castro-Robinson has written around ninety orchestral, chamber, vocal, electroacoustic and theatrical works. Her music idistinguished by vivid instrumental colours, sharply defined gestures, contrasting textures and an interest in visual art, literature and the natural world. Her compositions include Chaos of Delight, Other Echoes, Triple Clarinet Concerto, Releasing the Angel, Tumbling Strains, Len Lye, The Gristle of Knuckles, Earth’s Eye and Hour of Lead. She has received the SOUNZ Contemporary Award twice, and her album The Gristle of Knuckles won Best Classical Artist at the 2018 New Zealand Music Awards. In 2026, she was appointed the Creative New Zealand Lilburn Composer-in-Residence.