Eco-acoustic star Burtner takes ‘Common Theme’ composition on the road

Matthew Burtner, a guest artist at UW-Green Bay last spring with his sounds-of-nature music including a composition — “Oceans/Elements: Interactive Eco-acoustics in the World” — created here for last year’s “Common Theme” on sustainability, is taking that Green Bay work national. The Alaskan artist will perform the piece this month at dates in Milwaukee and Kansas City. In the concert, he performs using natural materials such as water, wind and sand along with acoustic instruments, structuring the experience around five classical elements common to great philosophies: earth, water, fire, air and ether. The piece draws on his experiences last year traveling 30,000 miles by water around the world. The first date is Friday (Oct. 8) at the Unruly Music Festival at Milwaukee’s Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. On Oct. 20 he’ll perform at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s performing arts center.