Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1913

Death

:

1985

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Eldin Burton was an American composer and pianist who was born on April 10, 1913, in Fitzgerald, Georgia. He was the youngest of three children born to a family of musicians. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist. Burton's musical talent was evident from a young age, and he began playing the piano at the age of four. Burton's family moved to Chicago when he was six years old, and he began studying piano with his mother. He also studied violin with his father and later with the concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Burton's talent as a pianist was recognized early on, and he won several local competitions as a child. In 1930, Burton enrolled at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, where he studied piano with Rudolph Ganz and composition with Leo Sowerby. He graduated in 1934 with a degree in piano performance. After graduation, Burton worked as a pianist and accompanist in Chicago, performing in recitals and on radio broadcasts. In 1940, Burton moved to New York City to study composition with Aaron Copland at the Berkshire Music Center in Tanglewood, Massachusetts. He also studied with Paul Hindemith at Yale University. Burton's time with Copland and Hindemith had a significant impact on his compositional style, and he began to incorporate elements of modernism into his music. Burton's first major composition was his Sonata for Flute and Piano, which he wrote in 1948. The piece was well-received and helped establish Burton as a composer. He went on to write several other works for flute, including a Concerto for Flute and Orchestra and a Sonatina for Flute and Piano. In addition to his works for flute, Burton wrote several pieces for piano, including a Piano Sonata and a Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. He also wrote chamber music, vocal music, and orchestral works. Burton's music is characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and rhythmic vitality. One of Burton's most famous works is his Sonatina for Flute and Piano, which he wrote in 1948. The piece is a staple of the flute repertoire and is known for its catchy melodies and lively rhythms. Another well-known work is his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, which he wrote in 1951. The piece is a virtuosic showcase for the soloist and features Burton's signature blend of modernism and lyricism. Burton's music was performed by many of the leading musicians of his time, including flutist James Galway, pianist John Browning, and conductor Leonard Bernstein. He also received several awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Despite his success as a composer, Burton remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He continued to teach piano and composition throughout his career, and many of his students went on to become successful musicians in their own right. Burton died on May 9, 1979, in New York City at the age of 66. His legacy as a composer and pianist lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world.

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