Richard Burmer


Richard Steven Burmer was an American composer, engineer, sound designer, musician and ethnomusicologist. His work with electronic music combined with musical styles and instruments from around the world formed his own unique and distinct sound.

Early life

Richard was born September 19, 1955, in Owosso, Michigan, the son of Henry Stanley Burmer and Theresa Burmer. As a youth growing up in Michigan, he was introduced to the music of India, the Middle East, contemporary orchestral composers, and electronic music. He found a wide palette of musical textures with synthesizers, and the original sampler, the Mellotron. Influences also came from The Moody Blues, King Crimson, and Pink Floyd. He graduated from Corunna High School in Michigan.

Career

After spending time in college studying music theory and composition, Richard moved to Los Angeles where he became a sound designer for E-mu Systems in Santa Cruz and engineer/synth programmer for EFX systems in Burbank.
Richard Burmer died of heart disease on Saturday, September 9, 2006, in Saginaw, Michigan, at the age of 50. A 2007 Hearts of Space radio show episode entitled "Across the View" was dedicated to his memory. The radio show Echoes released a tribute podcast for Burmer on the tenth anniversary of his death in 2016.

Discography

  • 1984 - Mosaic
  • 1987 - Bhakti Point
  • 1987 - Western Spaces
  • 1988 - On the Third Extreme
  • 1992 - Invention
  • 1994 - Collections from a Gallery
  • 1995 - Shining by the River.
  • 1996 - Treasures of the Saints
  • 1996/2023 - ''World Fusion''

    Individual pieces

  • 1982 - "Intro"
  • 1996 - "Tristan and the Book"
  • 1999 - "Moon Ghost Waltz" and Richard Burmer on The Unforgetting Heart by Michael Hoppe; Richard Burmer version released 2013 on Michael Hoppe`s album Rarities
  • 2000 - "Sun's Comin' Out"

    ''Western Spaces'' with Steve Roach/Kevin Braheny (1987 Innovative Communications release)

  • 1987 - "Across the View"
  • 1987 - "A Story From The Rain"

    Day Parts Series by [Chip Davis] (on American Gramaphone)

  • 1992 - "The Rain Will Bless The Love"
  • 1992 - "Shining By The River"
  • 1993 - "Meadow Drive"
  • 1993 - "Downstream"
  • 1997 - "Embracement"
  • 1997 - "Walk Into The Love"

    Additional Collaborations

  • 1986 - Point Of Arrival by Loren Nerell, feat. Richard Burmer on additional synthesizer
  • 1988 - Galaxies by Kevin Braheny, feat. Richard Burmer on additional synthesizer
  • 1996 - Wind Songs by Michael Hoppe, feat. Tim Wheater on flute and Richard Burmer
  • 1998 - The Unforgetting Heart by Michael Hoppe, feat. Tim Wheater on flute and Richard Burmer