Charles Alan Beeler (February 10, 1939 – April 28, 2016) Beeler completed his graduate study in theory and composition at Washington University, where he received an M.A. and Ph.D. He studied composition with Robert Wykes, Robert Baker, and Harold Blumenfeld, theory with Leigh Gerdine, and musicology with Lincoln Bunce Spiess and Paul Amadeus Pisk.

Beeler taught music at Wisconsin State University at Stevens Point and Eastern Kentucky University, where he was Professor of Music Theory and Composition. His many compositions include works for solo piano, chorus, chamber ensemble, string orchestra, full orchestra, and voice.


For more than a decade, we’ve had the privilege of working with Alan on projects to record, release, and preserve his work, and his positive, playful outlook on life and music was both inspiring and insightful to every member of our team. As likely to discuss his love for Sousa as he was to explain how Webern structured a particular tone row, Alan lived a life dedicated to making music, always helping others to learn how to appreciate it just as much as he did. We will always consider him a member of the PARMA family.

-The PARMA Team

Albums

Forever Beeler

Release Date: March 10, 2017
Catalog Number: NV6085
21st Century
Chamber
Solo Instrumental
Clarinet
Oboe
Piano
FOREVER BEELER represents a sampling of composer Alan Beeler’s prolific output throughout his musical career, which is generally defined by his commitment to compositional craft and structural clarity. The works featured on this album also reveal a playfulness lying just under the surface of Beeler’s compositional perspective. This quality of Beeler’s music is most notable in the seven sonatas for piano, often accompanied by another instrument, included in FOREVER BEELER.

The Vocal Music Of Alan Beeler

Release Date: July 8, 2016
Catalog Number: NV6049
21st Century
Liturgical
Vocal Music
Choir
Voice
The music of Alan Beeler (1939-2016) is frequently a compact, tightly focused one, presenting sharp contrasts of color and mood in the context of clear, direct compositional structures. Although noticeably influenced by artistic movements in Europe and America during the first half of the 20th century, Beeler’s musical voice is an identifiable one – crisp, bold, and pointedly quirky.

The Real Beeler

Release Date: October 14, 2014
Catalog Number: NV5976
21st Century
Concertos
Orchestral
Clarinet
Orchestra
Violin
On his debut solo Navona Records release, THE REAL BEELER, composer Alan Beeler presents his refined and distinguishable orchestral voice, exploring various harmonic and melodic forms and structures as well as the serial techniques of the Second Viennese School. In Symphony No. 1 and No. 4, the composer creates intricate atmospheres and moving textural soundscapes, generally derived from the composer's preset tone rows.

The PARMA Sessions: Karolina Rojahn

Release Date: August 1, 2013
Catalog Number: NV5925
21st Century
Chamber
Solo Instrumental
Orchestra
Piano
Piano Trio
THE PARMA SESSIONS: KAROLINA ROJAHN presents a series of recordings featuring longtime PARMA collaborator and pianist Karolina Rojahn. Showcasing the artist's skill, adaptability, and dedication, this digital compilation features Rojahn performing works by a diverse set of composers with myriad influences and styles.

Moto Perpetuo

Release Date: March 1, 2013
Catalog Number: NV5901
21st Century
Chamber
Solo Instrumental
Cello
Piano Trio
Here at Navona, we believe that despite varied influences, styles, and techniques, contemporary works by a variety of carefully selected composers can unite to represent the classical landscape as a whole. On MOTO PERPETUO, a collection of moving works for cello by March, Bartholomew, Beeler, Sherrill, Gottschalk, and Ascioti, the music is bound by the instruments simultaneous steadfastness and adaptability and the composers' shared ability to seize and control the instruments expressive timbre and range.

Quadrants

Release Date: September 25, 2012
Catalog Number: NV5883
21st Century
Chamber
String Quartet
With QUADRANTS, Navona presents a collection of modern string quartets that meld the old with the new, combining traditional forms with contemporary influences to present expressive, emotional works that both make and break the mold. QUADRANTS features the contemporary works of Marie Incontrera, Michael Cunningham, Alan Beeler, Ulf Grahn, and Virgil Thomson performed by the Boston String Quartet, the New England String Quartet, the Moravian Philharmonic Chamber Players, and the Boston Composers String Quartet.

Slices

Release Date: July 1, 2012
Catalog Number: NV5874
21st Century
Chamber
Solo Instrumental
Piano
Violin
Wind Ensemble
Who says eclecticism isn't a wonderful thing? Certainly not us at Navona Records. SLICES is a carefully handpicked selection of new chamber works by contemporary composers designed to showcase the diversity of modern music-making, and these pieces by Sundin, Bakker, Sainsbury, Rusnak, Beeler, and Burns cut right through the oft-repeated misconception that classical music is dead on the vine.

Explore other albums featuring Alan Beeler

Quintessence

Quintessence

Ravello Records
Vanguards 1

Vanguards 1

Ravello Records