Celebration of Life: Linda Burman-Hall

An extraordinary woman: musician, educator, researcher, innovator, radio host, social justice activist, performer, mentor—the list is long. She specialized in Baroque and classical literature for early keyboards, such as the harpsichord; her parallel  passion was ethnomusicology, with a focus on Indonesian music and contemporary Balinese and Sundanese gamelans. She was the founder and artistic director of the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival, as well as a champion of experimental and computer music.I knew her from the University and the Festival, experiencing her boundless energy and enthusiasm in connection with many musical events.  As is often the case at memorials, I came away knowing the person so much better than I had in real life, and wanting to be able to sit down and talk with her about all the facets of her amazing journey that were new to me.

Gamelan Sekar Swarasanti, in the photo, is a community gamelan group carrying on one of Linda’s musical legacies. I love it that they are performing next to the harpsichord that she has played in so many concerts. Linda is greatly missed, but her influence will be felt forever, from the students she supported through the years, to the Baroque Festival she inspired,  to the very existence of the recital hall that hosted today’s event.