Anthony Burger - My Favorite

Anthony Burger was one of the greatest contemporary pianist in the US. He was born in Cleveland, Tennessee. As a child, he had an accident, resulting in third degree burns on his hand. The doctor said to his parents that he may never be able to move his hands again... Looks like he was wrong. He miraculously healed, and at the age of three, as I heard him talking, he stunned his parents playing

a melody he heard in church on the piano. He was accepted at Conservatory at the age of five,

and studied classical music for many years.

Burger’s first recording, Anthony Burger At The Lowry Organ, was released in 1975 when he was 14 years old. He joined the Kingsmen Quartet while still a teen and remained with them until 1992. During that time, Burger recorded nineteen projects with the group and was voted the Favorite Pianist in the Singing News Fan Awards for an unprecedented ten years. The award was renamed the "Anthony Burger Award" for several years after that. During this period, Burger presented the award to the winner each year, but was ineligible to receive it. In 1992, Burger left the Kingsmen Quartet to pursue a career as a solo pianist. He joined the Gaither Homecoming. Tour the following year and was featured on more than 65 Homecoming videos. Burger continued to release piano solo recordings and headline concerts, but his solo schedule was balanced by about 80 Gaither Homecoming dates per year. Adding more variety to his schedule, Burger formed an impromptu sideline group with Ivan Parker and Kirk Talley around 1998 called “The Trio.” The group performed at several events each year. (Shane Dunlap later replaced Parker.) Burger was known through out his career to tell of how God healed his hands and playing the piano was his way of praising God. During the course of his career, Anthony teamed up with gospel Sax-Man Dan Traxler and the duo was well on their way to establishing yet another pinnacle in his already impressive career. With over 100 tracks to their credit, Dan and Anthony were two musicians who really understood each other. Over the course of his career, Mr. Burger released a number of piano folios, permitting fellow keyboard players to perform his arrangements.

I first saw him on a dvd playing the "Hallelujah Chorus" by Handel in the Sydney Opera House. (see this video) I said to myself: "Man, how I'd like to be able to play like him". That's how my passion for the piano began. I ended up buying all of his books and playing his arrangements over and over again. (see me on this video)

I was shocked to hear that he died on February 22nd 2006 during a concert; that day was my 18th birthday... His life was and is an example to many of us. He did what he knew best at the highest level all his life. Just like a warrior dies in battle or a captain dies sinking with his ship, Anthony ended his life playing the piano. A great ending of a great man.

I think his life inspired and still inspires many piano players, and not only piano players. He lived with all his being all the songs he played. That's the way we all should do what we are good at: at the highest level. If we all do so, the world will be a better place...