Bunita Marcus

Teaches at Harvestworks | Digital Media Arts Center

Bunita Marcus composed side-by-side with Morton Feldman for over seven years. During this time Feldman composed both of these concertos. She has lectured extensively over the past 26 years on Feldman’s compositional process, notation, and orchestration. This is the first time that Marcus’ lectures have been linked to full performances of the work. It is a rare opportunity to get to know the details of the composition and how it was constructed before actually hearing the work. Her first-hand insights are an essential introduction for both scholars and students interested in Feldman’s compositional process and the manner in which he orchestrated his music. Bunita Marcus, born in Madison, Wisconsin, was a well-recognized pianist and bass clarinetist when she began composing at the age of thirteen. She has worked in both electronic and instrumental mediums and received a Ph.D. in Composition from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1981 where she held the Edgard Varese Fellowship in Composition and studied with Morton Feldman. Ms. Marcus’ music has been consistently praised for its beauty and rare sensitivity. Kyle Gann of the Village Voice has called her one of his favorite women composers of all time. He applauds her piano work “Julia” for its “touching and unassuming depth,” which “had the audience hushed under the impact of deeply communicated feeling.” Los Angeles critic Alan Rich says her work Adam and Eve “states an eloquent case for the persistence of pure beauty in contemporary composition.” Bunita Marcus met Morton Feldman in 1976, beginning a long association that lasted until his death in 1987. Feldman and Marcus composed side by side, sharing musical thoughts and ideas. In 1985 Feldman dedicated his new piano composition: “For Bunita Marcus.” Today, Dr. Marcus lectures, coaches and writes regularly on Morton Feldman’s music.