David Burge, 83, of Cranston, a world-renowned pianist and composer of contemporary piano music, passed away after a short illness. He was the husband of Evon Burge.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, a son of the late Russell and Sylvia (Swenson) Burge. He was a Cranston resident. He was a veteran of the Korean War. From a career in academia in which he held permanent and visiting professorships in seven countries in North America, Europe, and Asia, Burge carried his love of contemporary piano music to concerts, compositions, and recordings. As a devoted composer, he produced works exhibiting a wide array of styles, with special pieces capturing his particular love for cultures he experienced during his global travels. Burge maintained friendships with noted contemporary composers Luciano Berio, George Crumb, William Albright, Ernst Krenek, and Donald Martino and he remained active playing, composing, and writing up to his last days.
Besides his wife, he leaves a son, Russell D. Burge, his wife, Belinda; and granddaughters Emma and Sophie, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
His body was donated to Brown University for Medical Science. A memorial service is planned for the first week of June at Greenwood Community Church, Presbyterian in Warwick.
