Role

:

Composer  

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Concerto

 

Burton Beerman is a renowned American composer and educator, known for his innovative and experimental approach to classical music. Born on December 6, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, Beerman grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist, which exposed him to classical music from a young age. Beerman began his musical education at the age of six, studying piano and violin. He later attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City, where he studied composition with Hall Overton. In 1964, he received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied composition with John Corigliano and Aaron Copland. After completing his undergraduate studies, Beerman continued his education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in composition. While at the University of Illinois, Beerman studied with Salvatore Martirano, who was a major influence on his experimental approach to music. Beerman's early works were influenced by the avant-garde movement of the 1960s and 1970s, and he was known for his use of unconventional instruments and techniques. One of his most famous works from this period is "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," which was composed in 1971 and features four performers playing a variety of instruments, including a bicycle wheel, a siren, and a bullhorn. In the 1980s, Beerman began to incorporate electronic music into his compositions, and he became known for his use of computer-generated sounds. One of his most famous works from this period is "The Virtual Music Box," which was composed in 1987 and features a computer-generated sound that mimics the sound of a music box. Throughout his career, Beerman has been recognized for his innovative approach to music, and he has received numerous awards and honors. In 1990, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, which allowed him to travel to Europe and study with some of the leading composers of the time. He has also received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In addition to his work as a composer, Beerman has also been a dedicated educator. He has taught at a number of universities, including the University of Illinois, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Texas at Austin. He has also served as a guest lecturer and composer-in-residence at a number of institutions around the world. Beerman's compositions have been performed by some of the leading orchestras and ensembles in the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Sinfonietta. His works have also been featured at a number of international festivals, including the Warsaw Autumn Festival, the ISCM World Music Days, and the Venice Biennale. Some of Beerman's most famous works include "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," "The Virtual Music Box," "The Book of Hours," and "The Seven Deadly Sins." His music is known for its experimental and innovative approach, and it has been praised for its ability to push the boundaries of classical music. In conclusion, Burton Beerman is a highly respected composer and educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music.

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