Composer Biography - Richard Byron Strunk (Bn. 1957 -)
***A quick note 1st about the Sheet music posted here***
I really enjoy composing a wide variety of music. There are MANY different types of musical styles represented here. There are mostly serious pieces, yet also some less serious material. Think of going down the list as channel surfing. I hope you'll find something you like! ;)
Grinnell College Class of '81. Studied with concert pianist John Jensen & musical composition with composers Alan Leichtling (Student of Roger Sessions, Darius Milhaud & Vincent Persichetti), plus Jon Welstead, and Lee Cloud (Students of American composer Peter Todd Lewis). Rick's early electronic works and conceptually-based instrumental compositions earned him the reputation early on in College as a pioneer within the Advance Front of New Music. His works to date cover a wide and diverse spectrum of musical types embodying both conservative elements and radical innovations.
Mr Strunk originated the kaleidoscopic music method in the late 1970's & very early 1980's and it is essentially a way to extract the linguistic sense patterns from any music of any Era and make use of those patterns transformed into new musical content associated with any Music of any Era. His purpose in doing this was because he saw a need in the fragmented craft of modern music of bridge building between the fragmented orientations of listeners.
The kaleidoscopic music method allowed for the expansion of the Musical Form Theme and Variations to Composition and Variations and was originated by Mr. Strunk. Unfortunately, today it is not significance which makes for fame, but fame which makes for significance.
In the early '90's Mr. Strunk was diagnosed with a severely functionally debilitating illness and his career seemed over. Yet even with being beset with his illness, he continued to compose. Much of the music he wrote during these difficult times reflects the beauty and joy of life rather than of only focusing on his suffering, and speaks to the heart, with substantive meaning for the mind, of man's triumph of hope persevering over despair.
To Date, Mr. Strunk has composed over 1,500 musical compositions.
REVIEWS:
"A true innovator, full of life and passion, Richard Byron Strunk's music embodies conservative elements and radical innovations. His repertoire includes Classical, Jazz, New Age, Minimalist, Rock & too many to list! Such diversity enables Listeners from all walks of life to relate to Strunk's works."
- SonicAwareness, (May 01, 0003)
“Richard Strunk presented several Midi recordings of works involving a unique compositional technique he has developed. His system involves remapping tonal sonorities into a more complex system, but using the timbres of Rock Bands; Electric Instruments and Drums. It was a very interesting and fresh approach that was well received!”
- American Composer's Forum, Sounding Board Vol 26 #1
"..I am particularly taken with your "Words of Concerns on Western Musical Culture--etc." A provocative and devastating accurate review of the loss of target, taste and common sense in the commercial facet of our society.. At any rate, I’ve not read ANYTHING that seemed more on target and covered the whole spectrum as did that Essay!"
- Dr. Robert Steinbauer Chairman of KSU Department of Music