Burton Beerman

Biography

Composer, clarinetist, video artist Burton Beerman’s (b. 1943) music spans many media, including interactive real-time electronics, chamber and orchestral music, interactive video art, theatre, dance, and musical score for documentary films. His works have been the subject of international, national and public television and radio broadcasts, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, NPR and PBS. New York City’s The Village Voice states, “There is a remarkable clarity in the way Burton Beerman carries out the logic of his materials and he has an excellent ear for sound color…the composer displays an acute sensitivity to the differences between live sound and electronic sound and the music contains extraordinary moments when the sound seems to belong to both worlds.”

Amongst some of his prestigious awards and honors are the Barlow Endowment Commission for Music Composition, the 2008 Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio, selected as one who is recognized as a “distinguished artist sustaining extraordinary artistic talents and achievements throughout his career”, a 2008 CINE Special Jury Award, the 2007 CINE Golden Eagle Award as composer for the film documentary 203 Days produced by bbarash productions, LLC.,and the Martha K.Cooper Orchestra Prize (First Place) for Moments. Beerman’s music has been presented at prominent venues and festivals worldwide, such as the Edinburgh International Art Festival in Scotland, The Chicago Sinai, Martin Luther King International Center in Atlanta, Rudolfinum Performing Center, Prague, the Haag, Amsterdam, OrfRadioFunkhaus, Vienna and Chopin Hall, Mexico City, as well as throughout Australia, Canada , Europe and Asia.

His works have been featured on CNN and CNN International, FutureWatch, and The World Today, broadcasting Beerman’s Virtual Video Opera, Jesus’ Daughter to a viewing audience of 50 million plus. The opera addressed a critical social issue of Violence against Women~Children-at-Risk and was chosen as a Video Installation ArtWork exhibited in Switzerland and Italy, endorsed by UNESCO-CIRET, sponsored by the United Nations, at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA), Lincoln Center Gallery, and Dance on Camera Festival.

CNN maintains a webpage as a source of information on the story and Beerman's opera. The Warsaw National Philharmonic performed and recorded Beerman’s Morning Calls for B-flat clarinet and orchestra featuring Richard Stoltzman as clarinetist under the baton of George Manahan, present music director of the New York City Opera. Morning Calls received a performance by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra with Beerman as soloist. Beerman has been hailed by audiences as one of the leading clarinetists of contemporary and avant-garde music whose virtuosity and technical control of the instrument establish him as a remarkable and compelling performer.

-Distinguished Professor of the Arts (Music) Emeritus at Bowling Green State University.

ACE Publications

92 title(s)
Composer Title SCORING/INSTRUMENTATION Year
Burton Beerman ENSEMBLE 1
ww quint
Burton Beerman ENSEMBLE 2 cl, wind ens: 1-1-1-1; 3 sax(atb); 4-2-2-1; 3 perc
Burton Beerman ENSEMBLE 3
perc ensemble (5)
Burton Beerman ENTRANCE MUSIC
cl, pf
Burton Beerman EVENING SONGS Clarinet
Burton Beerman FOR BRUCE large concert band
Burton Beerman FOUR DANCES
vln
Burton Beerman FOUR IN SIX
str 4tet
Burton Beerman FRAGMENTS
clarinet, midi wind controller, voice module, digital delay unit
Burton Beerman GATHERING
flute, doubling piccolo, and alto saxophone
Burton Beerman GHOSTS
Eb alto saxophone, Bb clarinet, piano and optional electronic sounds
Burton Beerman GIFTS (FOR YOU)
vln, pno, optional dance ensemble
Burton Beerman INVISIBLE IMAGES
vln, vc, perc, dance ensemble, electronics
Burton Beerman JESUS' DAUGHTER
Mezzo Sop, Cl, Live interactive audio
Burton Beerman JUST DANCES marimba, tenor sax
Burton Beerman Klezmer, from TIKVAH solo soprano saxophone
Burton Beerman MANTRAS fl, cl, vln, vcl, pf
Burton Beerman MASS
Ten,fl, perc, hp, tape
Burton Beerman MEDITATIONS cl, dancers, computer
For electric clarinet, computer and dancer(s)
Burton Beerman MISOGAMY
str 4tet: 2-1-1, tape
Burton Beerman MOMENTS
S, pf
Burton Beerman MOMENTS 1977 orch:2-2-2-2, 2-2-2-0,perc,str
Burton Beerman MOMENT-1978
a sax, pf
Burton Beerman MOMENTS 1981
2fl, 2cl, pf
Burton Beerman MORNING CALLS cl, orch: 2-2-2-2; 4-2-2-1; timp, perc; str

Additional Works