Robert Starer studied in his native Vienna before being forced into exile in 1938, first in Jerusalem, and, then, during the war, as a serviceman in the British Royal Air Force. He then studied at the Juilliard School in New York and was a pupil of Copland, continuing a career as a teacher and composer in New York.

Stage, Vocal and Orchestral Music

Starer wrote ballet music, notably for Martha Graham. A number of his vocal works reflect his Jewish identity and his orchestral music includes three symphonies, a Violin Concerto written for Perlman, and concertos for viola and for cello.