Following their world premiere, The Heare Ensemble proclaimed: "Melodies for Robert contains rich harmonies, soaring melodies, and unexpected twists, but beyond the musical elements, it also has incredible depth of soul. Like so much of Carter's music, it paints the heart of the American landscape and makes you yearn for more." MELODIES FOR ROBERT was commissioned by the SDG Music Foundation in memory of flutist Robert Vincent Jones; it consists of two movements, titled "Sing," and "Listen."