Composer George Crumb (b. 1929) died peacefully at his home in Media, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 6, surrounded by his family. Crumb began his university career at CU «Ƶ (1959-64) where his distinctive compositional voice emerged in “Five Pieces for Piano” (1962)--premiered by his colleague, the late College of Music Professor of Piano David Burge--and “Night Music I” (1963), composed for other faculty colleagues. Over his distinguished career, he maintained his ties to Colorado, and many CU faculty have performed his music here and internationally. Crumb dedicated several works to retired Professor of Voice Patrick Mason, and his premiere recordings are part of the complete Crumb Edition from Bridge Records. Associate Professor of Music Theory Steve Bruns first met the composer in 1992 at a Crumb Festival in Prague. “That experience changed my life forever,” he recalls. “The focus of my research shifted from Mahler to Crumb. In addition to writing and lecturing about his music, I became his archivist and biographer. I’ve attended many performances, from Seoul to New York to Granada, Spain, and Crumb’s music never fails to captivate audiences. Everyone who knew George remembers his extraordinary humility and kindness. He was a giant of a composer and a man, and I will miss him terribly.”ʳdzٴby Becky Starobin, President of Bridge Records:Bruns and Crumb at a recording session of “Metamorphoses, Book II” at Swarthmore College last year.