A composer of marked clarity and wit, Gordon also writes music of expressive beauty and sentiment. He first gained attention in the late 1970s with his Love of Life Orchestra which played venues ranging from clubs such as CBGSs and The Knitting Factory to performance spaces like Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall and BAM. In addition to concert music, Gordon has written for film, dance and theater in collaboration with artists like Richard Foreman, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane, Alvin Ailey, Laurie Anderson and Steven Spielberg. His opera, The Strange Life of Ivan Osokin, with libretto by Constance Congdon and direction by Lawrence Sacharow, premiered at La Mama in April, 1994. Collaborations with video artist Kit Fitzgerald include the video operal Return of the Native and the award-winning television feature Painted Melodies, Spider's Garden. Gordon has received numerous grants and awards.