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BGSU composer receives 2005 Barlow Endowment Commission
BOWLING GREEN, O.—Dr. Burton Beerman, director of the MidAmerican Center of Contemporary Music and a professor of composition
in the College of Musical Arts at Bowling Green State University, has been awarded a 2005 Barlow Endowment Commission for
Music Composition.
Established by Milton A. and Gloria Barlow in 1983 at Brigham Young University, the purpose of the commission is to encourage,
financially support and promote excellence in music composition. The endowment, which supports four programs—the Barlow Prize,
Barlow General Commissions, Barlow LDS Composers Commissions and Barlow Education Grants, awarded $70,000 to 15 composers
this year. It is considered one of the most competitive commissions awarded to composers.
Beerman received a general commission for “A Still Small Voice.” The work, for cello and dance, will be premiered in New York
City during the 2006-07 concert season.
Composed for renowned New York cellist Madeleine Shapiro and critically acclaimed dancer/choreographer Celesta Haraszti, the
work will utilize the BodySynth (cq) Sensor Suit, which allows both performers to interactively control sound in real time.
The performance will mark the first time an instrumentalist has used the suit, which consists of sensors that work like an
electrocardiogram machine to translate gestures and other movements into sonic textures.
Shapiro has participated in the premieres of numerous works by eminent composers, including Milton Babbitt, John Cage, Charles
Wuorinen and Mario Davidovsky. From 1974-96, she was the cellist and co-director of the New Music Consort, a touring ensemble
specializing in the performance of 20th-century music. Currently, she is the director of the chamber ensemble MODERNWORKS!,
which has appeared at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago as well as the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Museum in New
York.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has described Haraszti, who is also Beerman’s wife, as a “virtuoso performer.” Originally from
Budapest, Hungary, Haraszti has performed in and created more than 40 works. Since 1982 she has toured as a member in the
husband-wife ensemble the Electric Arts Duo, performing throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
A composer, clarinetist, video artist and computer programmer, Beerman seamlessly integrates technology with other media.
He has presented more than 100 concerts and master classes with Haraszti across the United States and Canada over the last
four years.
The duo has performed at venues such as the International Summer Meeting of Electroacoustic Music in Hungary, LOGOS in Belgium,
Piccolo Spoleto, ClariNet InterNational, Inc., Electronic Music Plus, the American Cultural Centre in Paris, the University
of Japan, Town Hall in Brussels and Chopin Hall in Mexico City.
Beerman founded Bowling Green State University’s annual New Music and Art Festival, which attracts some 1,200 submissions
annually from around the world. He received BGSU’s Olscamp Research Award in 1999.
His composition awards include first prize from the International Society of Bassists for “Voices” for soprano voice and string
bass, the Martha K. Cooper Orchestra Prize for “Moments” and a D. Lipscomb Prize for “Romance for Piano and Tape.” He has
recordings on the Advance, Access, Orion and Capstone labels.
The Village Voice wrote of his work, “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."
Beerman’s most recent composition, “Tikvah: A Concert of Hope and Remembrance,” was part of the University’s Holocaust Conference
last April. It blended live instrumentals, voice, narration, song and dance with video and special lighting design, resulting
in a compelling, evocative and powerful theatrical experience. The piece also has been performed at the Holocaust Memorial
Center in Farmington Hills, Mich., and at the Marcus Jewish Community Center in Atlanta.
(Posted October 10, 2005 )
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