Press bio (150 words)

Samuel Clay Birmaher (rhymes with “here and there”) is a composer living and working in New York City. His music tells stories about internal and external worlds, using familiar musical elements to create undefined symbols.

His music and projects have been included at the Ojai Festival, Big Ears Festival, Music We’d Like to Hear, Present Music, Turku Music Festival, Alison Bradley Projects, and on Mode Records. His collaborators include Terry Riley, Claire Chase, the JACK Quartet, Christopher Otto, and artist Tamiko Kawata, and he has worked closely with composers John Luther Adams and John McGuire.

Recent projects include The Holy Liftoff, a collaboration with Terry Riley; Unity Song, a multi-hour composition accompanying an art installation by Tamiko Kawata; and How to Become an Idea, a concert-length diptych of metaphysical solos for violinist Christopher Otto. Mode Records will release his first portrait album, Bleeding Heart Transformation, performed by guitarist David Nadal.

Images (hi-res on request)

Credit: Portrait by Robert Palumbo.