Richard Byron Strunk

Richard Byron Strunk Richard Byron Strunk Richard Byron Strunk

Composer - Richard Byron Strunk

Born in Casper,WY in the summer of 1957, Richard Byron Strunk by age 4 was taking piano lessons at his pre-nursery school. In the late ‘70’s & early ‘80s at Grinnell College he studied advance piano techniques with concert pianist John Jensen & musical composition with composers Alan Leichtling (Student of the great composers Roger Sessions, Darius Milhaud & Vincent Persichetti), and Jon Welstead, and Lee Cloud (Student of the great experimental 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 make Cubist music in any genre. 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  fame, but fame which makes significance. Today one may originate an important idea or concept and gain no recognition for so doing. Sadly today, "Significance does not make for Fame but sadly Fame makes for significance".

Today to accomplish and originate a significant idea or work does not insure that accurate and appropriate accreditation or acknowledgement will follow; For more information on this sad state of affairs please see Rick's essay called 'Words of Concern on Western Musical Culture.'

In the early 1990’s Mr. Strunk was diagnosed with a severely functionally debilitating illness and his career seemed over. Yet even with being beset with both his illness, and being homeless for quite a number of months at several different times during this decade, he continued to compose by gaining access to pianos in area churches. 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 one man’s triumph of hope persevering over despair.

Mr. Strunk believes that disability does not mean inability. Like many of the severely disabled, he is living proof that the disabled can and often do make valuable contributions to their communities and Society. All contributions from people at whatever level of development or recovery are valuable. Mr. Strunk's first steps in 1990 in occupational therapy of making a leather wallet and continuing on to his next projects that he had the then diminished capacity to do, helped him to redevelop and recover slowly over time his lost or damaged abilities necessary for the more involved and demanding musical constructions done in the late 1990's. The point is at whatever level of development one is currently at, ones works are of value; even if ones life has not turned out for whatever reason as hoped or planned or for the best. Life is bigger then our understanding, aspirations and ability to vision ahead; life can unexpectedly improve, if one just keeps going.

When Mr. Strunk is not engaged in working on his Music and Visual Art projects or doing his household chores, he does enjoy watching a wide assortment of movies or playing computer games such as Baldurs Gate, Diablo, STO, LOTRo, DCUniverse, and EverQuest.

Currently Mr. Strunk has been exploring the New Salon Venue of performance for his works via Computer/Internet downloads and distribution of his music now available for home listening as via downloads or on CD. Thus, Like Chopin involved within the earlier tradition of the Old Style Salon recitals, Mr. Strunk's Music works can be played in the homey comfort of the modern audiences living rooms. 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, SonicAwarenes s (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

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For Rose No.2 of 24 from 144 Variations on Fur Elise
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For Eunice No.10 of 24 from 144 Variations on Fur Elise
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For Elena No.24 of 24 from 144 Variations on Fur Elise
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For Elena No.12 of 24 from 144 Variations on Fur Elise
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All 6 Books of all 144 Variations on Fur Elise
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28 сентября 2013, Статья
Quick Lecture on Three Recent Works
Quick Lecture on Three Recent Works Delivered at The Salon Meeting of the American Composers Forum 1998 Quick Lecture on Three Recent Works by Richard Byron Strunk Delivered at The Salon Meeting of the American Composer’s Forum ...
28 сентября 2013, Статья
The Cliff - The Vision - After the Cliff
Introduction READ FIRST before reading The Cliff - The Vision - After The Cliff *Warning: Do NOT do what I have done! The 'smart' learn from their own mistakes in life; the 'Wise' learn from other peoples mistakes. Please be Wise and learn from ...
02 августа 2013, Новости
'For Rose' (1 of 144 Variations after Fur Elise) Latest Video, Share it!