Composer RICHARD BURMER was born in Michigan in 1955 and died there far too young in 2006. Like many very talented creators, he struggled with depression, and his demons eventually overcame him. But in a brief, fruitful 20 year career, he created some extraordinary music that helped fulfill the early promise of electronic music as a popular art.
After studying music in college, Richard was drawn to the burgeoning electronic music community in California. Moving to Los Angeles in the late 1970s, he worked as an engineer designing synthesizers for several innovative companies while perfecting his own music. Portly, bespectacled, intense, and unconcerned with appearances, he was one of those people who contradicted every stereotype about Los Angeles. After getting a record deal and releasing his first successful albums, he had enough and returned to Michigan for good.
His music bore influences from Medieval, Renaissance, and Indian music to Progressive Rock. It was always more musical than electronic...and immaculately crafted. We feature selections from four of Richard Burmer's five solo albums: BHAKTI POINT, MOSAIC, INVENTION, and ON THE THIRD EXTREME, plus two pieces from WESTERN SPACES, his joint album with STEVE ROACH and KEVIN BRAHENY.
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